How to read the charts
Each chart is a profile of a typical game in that genre, scored from 1 (low) to 5 (high) on six axes. They are rough guides drawn from how these genres usually work. Individual games vary a lot, and many mix two or three genres.
- Pace
- How much is happening on screen at once, and how quickly.
- Reflexes
- How much success depends on fast, precise reactions.
- Planning
- How much thinking ahead, managing and problem solving is involved.
- Story
- How much the game is driven by characters, plot and dialogue.
- Social
- How often play involves other people, online or on the sofa.
- Session
- How long a sitting tends to run before you reach a natural stopping point.
The "beginner friendly" bar under each card is a general guide to how easy the genre is to start with, not a judgment of any game.
The ten genres
Platformers
Run, jump and time your moves across levels. Short stages make them easy to pick up and put down.
Try it if: You like clear goals and quick retries.
Beginner friendly
Action-adventure
Explore a world, solve light puzzles and fight now and then, usually with a story pulling you along.
Try it if: You want a mix of exploring, story and some action.
Beginner friendly
Role-playing (RPG)
Build up a character or party over many hours. Stats, gear and choices shape how the story plays out.
Try it if: You enjoy long stories and slow, steady progress.
Beginner friendly
Shooters
Aim and react fast, in first or third person. Many focus on online matches against other players.
Try it if: You like fast reactions and team play.
Beginner friendly
Strategy
Manage units, resources or a whole empire. Turn-based games let you think as long as you like.
Try it if: You enjoy planning ahead and weighing options.
Beginner friendly
Puzzle
Logic, patterns and spatial problems in small chunks. Often the gentlest place to start.
Try it if: You want calm, bite-sized sessions.
Beginner friendly
Simulation and sandbox
Build, farm, manage or create at your own pace, often with no fail state at all.
Try it if: You like open-ended building and routine.
Beginner friendly
Racing and sports
Matches and races with familiar rules. Assist options can steer, brake or aim for you while you learn.
Try it if: You already follow a sport or like driving.
Beginner friendly
Fighting
One-on-one bouts built on timing and learning move inputs. Practice modes matter a lot here.
Try it if: You enjoy practicing a skill until it clicks.
Beginner friendly
Rhythm and music
Press buttons in time with music. Difficulty is usually easy to raise or lower song by song.
Try it if: You like music and steady, short goals.
Beginner friendly
Choosing your first genre
- Think about what you already enjoy. Readers often like role-playing games. Puzzle fans tend to enjoy strategy. Sports fans already know the rules of sports games.
- Look at the reflexes score. If fast reactions feel stressful, start with genres that score 1 or 2 and come back to faster ones later.
- Look at the session score. If you only have 20 minutes at a time, pick a genre with short sessions so you are not stopping halfway through something.
- Decide on solo or social. Playing alone lets you learn at your own pace. Playing with a friend who knows the game can speed things up.
Hybrids and labels
Store labels can be confusing. "Roguelike" games restart you from the beginning after each failure, usually with a slightly different layout each time. "Soulslike" games are known for steep difficulty. "Metroidvania" means a large connected map that opens up as you gain new abilities. "Open world" means you can roam a big area freely. "Cozy" usually means low pressure, with no combat or very little. These words describe features rather than whole genres, and they often sit on top of the ten above.
Genre is not the same as age rating
A genre tells you how a game plays. It says nothing about whether the content suits a child. Two games in the same genre can have very different ratings. Check the age rating and content descriptors on the box or store page. The parental controls guide explains the main rating systems.
Genre questions
Which genre is easiest for a complete beginner?
Puzzle and simulation games usually ask the least of your reflexes and let you stop whenever you like. Rhythm games are also easy to start because each song is short and difficulty is set per song.
Why are shooters and fighting games rated low for beginners?
Their online modes match you against people who may have played for years, and both rely on fast reactions. Most offer training modes and play against the computer, which are better places to start.