Every player has a genre of preference. Some players only play first-person shooters while others only play RPG’s. There are also gamers out there that will play any game in any genre and those who will only play sports games. Although each gamer has a specific that they usually prefer there is still the question of which genre gives the player the most for their money? Putting personal inclination aside and assuming the player is buying a new game on the day of release, which genre will end up giving players the most for what they pay?
When it comes to deciding which genre is worth the most for the gamer’s dollar there are a few things to take into consideration. The first thing to consider is how likely it will be for the player to replay the single player portion of the game. Reason number two is the multiplayer mode and finding people to play with. The third most important way to tell if a game is worth the price is how consecutive a new version of the game will be released. In most cases if it’s a game the player enjoys it’s a game that is worth their dollar, however we are in search of the specific genre that provides players with the most ‘playability’ and the longest play time possible for one specific genre.
First of all let’s talk about sports games. These are games like the annual releases of each sport (Madden, 2K Sports, EA Sports) along with games in series like NBA Ballers and Fight Night. Although these types of games can be fun, the constant movement of players in the real world to different teams and the low possibility of finding online matches for multiplayer make this genre worth a little less than other genres. Paying $60 for sports games isn’t giving players the most bang for your buck.
Sports games are in constant movement due to the real life changes so new additions to existing series can be made each year. There usually aren’t much improvements to actual game play nor is there an online mode swarming with players. With games like these you have to be a gamer that is also a fan of the sport that has the desire to play with others; putting great restriction on ever finding a multiplayer match. However, these games can get very popular such as FIFA and Madden and players will be able to find matches, it just ultimately comes down to getting less play time because of the constant release of new games in the series on top of the low online population.
Next let’s address shooters; both in the third and first person style. These types of games are similar and very popular among the majority of the gaming community, yet they aren’t most likely to get you the most for your money. If you are a lover of online multiplayer then this is more beneficial for you however, there will be a less likely chance of having replay value. Online multiplayer on these games make it a bit more worth it but still doesn’t provide the player with the most for their money.
Take games like the Call of Duty series or those installments in Gears of War. These games have a huge fan base and there is always the option to play either game online with different opponents for hours and hours. One of the only aspects that keep players playing these types of games is the online leveling up system. Players are put in the same maps doing the same things for long periods of time. Although this does accumulate mass hours of player’s time it is not the actual game that offers the most for the players money because of how the player is stuck engaging in the same thing over and over. After playing this genre for a set amount of time the player has seen everything already, they just don’t mind seeing the same thing over again… A lot of play time but not the most game for your money.
What is believed to be the most beneficial for the player’s dollar is both open-world and RPG type games. These games provide a great story with enough side activities to keep the player interested and often times different options within the story for players to wish to reply the entire game. In some of these games a social aspect is even integrated to where multiplayer can also be included. Both open-world and RPG’s tend to be super long with a number of different activities and secretes to get involved with. So in the end this tends to be the most game for the price!
Games like Skyrim and Saints Row are perfect examples of how many games in these genre’s have to offer. In a game like Skyrim the player is sucked into a system of leveling up their player. They do everything they can to get their level higher and do so in ways of direct missions and side activities. There is more than one way to get your character the best it can be. In a games like the Saints Row series players are sucked into dramatic missions and crazy side quest all with collecting items and gaining respect. There of course is great cooperative game play to integrate social aspects into the game. There is almost no way players who like this kind of game won’t get sucked in for a long time. The games in these genres often become favored and set the player up with the most game for their money.
Is your favorite genre missing from our list and you think it gives you the most for your money? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!
So… there are only 3 genres worth considering in the gaming world?
Actually, does open-world include all adventure type games?