Playing video games is for everyone, and that includes the daring New Zealand casino players who know how to roll the dice both “IRL” and at SkyCity Online Casino. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise! Thousands of video games are available, and most games are categorized into various genres. Video game genres are a method of describing a style or category of games which share similar characteristics and strategies. Genres help players associate with a video game while allowing video game merchants to advertise their games to specific types of players. Some popular video game genres that players enjoy include role-playing games (RPG), first-person shooter games (FPS), battle royale games, simulation games and real-time strategy games (RTS). Some video games have gone beyond genre boundaries and introduced new innovations that have changed the industry. Below we discuss 5 video games that have reshaped their genre.
Halo: Combat Evolved (FPS)
First-person shooter games are one of the most popular video game genres globally. In 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved was launched and has gone on to transcend the gaming world. When the game first launched, it was an unknown in the industry but quickly became the go-to FPS game for many players and their friends due to the realistic gameplay experience and features of the game. Halo: Combat Evolved allowed players to play online with their friends, provided they shared a LAN network.
The game had some of the best storylines, graphics and features, including twin-stick controls, responsive gunplay, open-level design, smart enemy AI, vehicle combat, online multiplayer and regenerating health systems. Halo: Combat Evolved shocked the FPS genre when it was initially released more than twenty years ago, and because of the immense success the game achieved, today, most games in the FPS genre have incorporated similar features and designs of the original video game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Open-world)
Rockstar has released phenomenal video games, including the Grand Theft Auto series (GTA). However, the popularity of its Red Dead Redemption 2 video game is unmatched, and even after its release in 2018, five years later, it is still one of the most popular video games in the open-world genre. Red Dead Redemption 2 gave players a glimpse into the old West world while allowing players to create their own ending to the game. The alternate-ending scenarios gave players enhanced storylines and character development, contributing to moral choices with dynamic events and consequences. Red Dead Redemption 2 created a vast, immersive world with realistic NPC reactions, animal behaviour, weather effects, physics, and horses. The impact of Read Dead Redemption 2 is evident, and most open-world games today have incorporated similar features and dynamics. It is remarkable that even after five years, the video game is still one of the best-selling games in the industry.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (RPG)
Japanese video game creator Sega created one of the best video games for Japanese players, the Yakuza series. The Yakuza video game series has various editions, but the best edition is undoubtedly the Yakuza: Like a Dragon game. The game was created for both Japanese and global players, and due to the aim of establishing a more Western market, the game creators switched the video game genre from action-adventure to turn-based RPG with a party system, skills and new items and a city. Sega still managed to maintain the series’ signature humour, mini-games, side quests and drama. Yakuza: Like a Dragon has been a hit in the RPG genre, and many Western players have enjoyed playing the game. Sega has achieved all its goals and objectives for the latest edition of the Yakuza series.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Metroidvania)
Modern 2D video games owe much to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which evolved the Metroidvania video game genre. Technology is continuously developing, but back in 1997, there was minimal technology available, and the creators of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, had to make do with what they had. Released in 1997, 26 years later, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is still one of the most talked-about video games in the world. The game has many standout features, but the notable one that blew the minds of players and industry developers alike was the upside-down, inverted feature. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night combined elements of platforming, exploration, RPG, and horror in a nonlinear castle. The game introduced the concept of inverted castles, multiple endings, and hidden items.
PUBG: Battlegrounds (Battle Royale)
PUBG: Battlegrounds was a game changer in the battle royal gaming genre. First released in 2017, the video game gave life to online gameplay and the quest for survival and domination. The game has sold millions of copies over the years. Explaining the game’s fundamentals is simple and popularizes the battle royale genre with 100 players parachuting into a shrinking map. PUBG: Battlegrounds introduced features like realistic gameplay, loot system, vehicles and team modes. As we mentioned, PUBG: Battlegrounds gave life to the battle royale genre, and it was not long before other games tried to coattail on the video game’s success. Other popular video games influenced and inspired by PUBG: Battlegrounds and have also enjoyed success in the battle royale genre include Fortnite and Realm Royale.
This article discussed the concept of video game genres while providing insight into five video games; Halo: Combat Evolved, Red Dead Redemption 2, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and PUBG: Battlegrounds, that have reshaped their genre and the industry as a collective. Playing these video games has the same characteristics as playing at an online casino, and many New Zealand casino players have experienced the same jubilation and disappointment when they recall their biggest casino wins and heartbreaking losses. If you are reading this article and want to experience similar graphics and realistic animations that these video games provide but are looking for other avenues of entertainment besides playing video games.