Game genres
What makes a game a roguelike, a MOBA or a souls-like, and how each genre plays. Every entry points to games from our guides that fit the label.
Action RPG
An action RPG is a role-playing game where you fight in real time, controlling each attack, dodge, and block yourself rather than picking moves from a menu.
Battle royale
A battle royale game drops a large group of players, usually up to 100, onto a shrinking map where they scavenge for weapons and gear.
Gacha game
A gacha game gives you randomized rewards in exchange for in-game currency.
Hero shooter
A hero shooter is a team-based shooter where you pick a named character with a fixed set of abilities instead of building your own loadout.
Idle game
An idle game keeps making progress while you're not playing, banking coins or resources you spend on upgrades when you check back in.
MMORPG
MMORPG stands for massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
MOBA
MOBA stands for multiplayer online battle arena.
Obby
An obby is an obstacle course game on Roblox, short for "obstacle course."
Psychological horror
Psychological horror is horror that works on your mind rather than your reflexes.
Roguelike
A roguelike is a game built around short runs, where dying sends you back to the start with nothing.
Roguelite
A roguelite is a game built around short runs where dying sends you back to the start, but some of your progress carries over.
Souls-like
A souls-like is an action RPG built around slow, deliberate combat, limited stamina, and heavy penalties for dying.
Survival horror
Survival horror is a horror game genre that keeps you weak and short on supplies.
Tactical RPG
A tactical RPG is a role-playing game where you move characters around a grid battlefield and win fights through positioning, turn order, and terrain rather than reflexes.
Tower defense
Tower defense games are a strategy genre where you place and upgrade defensive towers along a fixed path to stop waves of enemies before they reach the exit.
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6 termsMechanics and monetization
The systems behind how a game plays and how it makes money. Read up on co-op, procedural generation, ragdoll physics, jumpscares, DLC and in-app purchases.
4 termsPlatforms, ratings and community
Age rating labels, platform currencies and the behavior you meet in multiplayer lobbies. Covers ESRB, PEGI, Robux and griefing.