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Many games are known for introducing new mechanics, but some of them manage to reshape their genre. Here are some games that revolutionized their genre.
Many video games not only follow but also innovate the pre-existing rules of a genre with their experimental techniques and gameplay elements. With the implementation of fresh ideas and groundbreaking mechanics, they inaugurate a standard for many games to follow.
The revolution will continue to grow with the upcoming releases, and they’ll keep setting the bar higher than their predecessors. This list will jot down some of the games that reshaped their genres and, moreover, made lifetime achievements.
1) Dark Souls
Titled one of the greatest and most influential games in video game history, Dark Souls is a classic take on the RPG system by FromSoftware. Not only did it revolutionize a genre, but it also introduced a new one called ‘Souls-like’ that many developers strive to use today.
Winning the Ultimate Game of All Time by public vote, it introduced a groundbreaking world where exploration means everything. No handholding throughout the entire game, and it leaves everything for the player to figure out. Exploration is the key to survival, as the game has randomly spread out hundreds of items and weapons for you to discover.
What made it legendary was the lore-rich world, top-tier-level designs, and the rinse-and-repeat mechanic after losing a boss. As frustrating as a boss fight can get, the more rewarding it feels. With no compass, map, or directions, the exploration feels more empowering in the hauntingly beautiful world where one wrong step means death.
Walking through the Kingdom of Lordran while fighting through the hordes of enemies in a dark fantasy world feels surreal. An in-depth character creator, a galore of weapons, and stats that ensure the massive replayability value, Dark Souls redefined how a hard RPG should work and showed how much freedom a game can give to the players.
From Lies of P to Lords of The Fallen, the impact of Dark Souls continues to grow. Additionally, newer games are further revolutionizing the souls-like genre with hack-and-slash elements.
2) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s best-selling and long-running series, following Link on his journey to save Zelda. In 2017, when Nintendo decided to step into the new generation with Breath of The Wild, they meddled with unprecedented mechanics that ultimately made it the Game of The Year along with the greatest open-world game to date, titled by fans and critics.
It shattered the linear norms of an open-world game and provided the player with complete freedom to explore Hyrule, completely revolutionizing the genre. Allowing the players to discover and interact with the world at their own pace, the pacing never felt off as it wholly depends on the player.
Unlike other RPG quest systems where you must follow linearly guided objectives, Breath of The Wild holds nothing back with its freedom. With physical-infused mechanics, you are allowed to complete the quests however you like. Raiding a camp? It’s your choice to execute it in a stealthy manner or go all bombs blazing. Additionally, it has some of the wildest and most unique mechanics that allow the players to go wild with creativity.
With an immersive world and non-linear aspects that influenced the likes of Elden Ring, another Game of The Year by FromSoftware, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild is one of the greatest open-world RPG adventures to date.
3) Grand Theft Auto III
The ambitious and a turning point for Rockstar’s beloved franchise, Grand Theft Auto Three, introduced the players to the third-person perspective, shifting from the top-down camera. In its world, everything starts and ends with freedom.
Although the mission-objective system was linearly stylized, Rockstar gave over-the-top freedom to its player base with the world, allowing them to cause mayhem and drive any car they liked. The cinematic storytelling and world design make it one of the games that influenced the sandbox designs we see in modern games.
Lastly, Grand Theft Auto 3 laid the foundation of the classic third-person shooter gameplay we see in today’s generation.
4) Hades
The roguelite adventure through the underworld with the gods from Greek mythology, Hades made the roguelite genre mainstream in the gaming world. The fast-paced gameplay combined with an infinitely replayable world makes every second worth playing.
Further revolutionizing the isometric view, the game has a punishing yet rewarding combat for the players. It follows the story of Zagreus, Hades’s son, who is on a journey to help escape everyone from the underworld.
High-octane action, rewarding exploration, and lastly, a mind-breaking boss fight along with unique mechanics made Hades revolutionary in the roguelite genre.
5) Minecraft
Arguably the most famous video game of the previous generation. Minecraft introduced everyone to its block-ish world, where your only objective is to survive through day and night.
A first game of its kind, its eccentric playstyle and surreal mechanics are major key points that made it a success. From defending your home from pillagers to supernatural elements that blend extremely well with its lore, it became one of the best-selling games of all time.
The gameplay loop revolves around making your own home, exploring caves, hunting animals, and ensuring the best chances of your survival during the nighttime when threatening creatures spawn.
If it wasn’t for Minecraft, we wouldn’t have received many critical and wholesome games like Stardew Valley or Terraria. Its influence is everlasting.
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