Game Genre Encyclopedia

A reference guide to game genres -- what defines them, what makes them tick, and what you'd learn by building one. This covers far more genres than the bootcamp modules. Use it to understand the landscape and find inspiration for your capstone project.

How to Read This Guide

Defining Trait -- the single characteristic that puts a game in this genre
Core Mechanic -- the fundamental player action
Landmark Games -- 2-3 games that defined or perfected the genre
Key Design Concepts -- what building this genre teaches you
Has Module? -- whether this bootcamp has a dedicated module for it

Quick Reference: Genre to Module

37 genres

Genre	Primary Mechanic	Module
Ball-and-Paddle	Deflection	Module 1
Platformer	Jump with gravity arc	Module 2
Top-Down Shooter	Navigate under fire	Module 3
Endless Runner	Survive escalating speed	Module 4
Falling Block Puzzle	Spatial arrangement under time pressure	Module 5
Tower Defense	Optimizing placement	Module 6
Roguelike	Procedural exploration with permadeath	Module 7
Fighting Game	Frame-tight read-and-react	Module 8
Racing	Momentum through curves	Module 9
Deckbuilder	Curating an engine from random draws	Module 10
First-Person Game (FPS)	Aim and shoot in 3D first-person	Module 11
3D Platformer	Jump and land while managing a camera	Module 12
Metroidvania	Ability-gated exploration	Module 14
Run and Gun	Move and shoot through authored levels	Module 15
Third-Person Shooter	Shooting with spatial body awareness	Module 16
Point-and-Click	Inventory puzzles + dialog	Module 17
Visual Novel	Branching narrative choices	Module 18
Walking Simulator	Environmental storytelling	Module 19
Turn-Based RPG	Menu combat with stats and parties	Module 20
Action RPG	Real-time combat + loot + stats	Module 21
RTS	Multi-unit command + economy	Module 22
Turn-Based Strategy	Positional tactics in turns	Module 23
Auto-Battler	Draft and position, watch combat	Module 24
4X Strategy	Empire management across systems	Module 25
Sokoban	Push blocks, spatial reasoning	Module 26
Physics Puzzle	Set up conditions, let physics resolve	Module 27
Simulation Racing	Tire grip and racing lines	Module 28
Management/Tycoon	Balance interconnected systems	Module 29
Farming/Life Sim	Time management per day	Module 30
Survival/Crafting	Gather, craft, survive loop	Module 31
Rhythm	Input synchronized to music	Module 32
Survival Horror	Scarcity creates tension	Module 33
Idle/Incremental	Exponential growth management	Module 34
Party Game	Varied mini-games, social play	Module 35
Trivia	Q&A under time pressure	Module 36
Social Deduction	Deception and detection	Module 37
Sandbox	Player-directed creation	Module 38

Action Genres

4 genres

Platformer

Defining Trait Player navigates by jumping between platforms in a gravity-bound space

Core Mechanic The jump -- a committal, arc-shaped movement action

Landmark Games Super Mario Bros. (1985), Celeste (2018), Hollow Knight (2017)

Module Module 2

Metroidvania

Defining Trait Interconnected world where progress is gated by abilities acquired during exploration

Core Mechanic Ability-gated exploration -- you see areas you can't reach yet, then return with new powers

Landmark Games Super Metroid (1994), Castlevania: SotN (1997), Hollow Knight (2017)

Module Module 14

Beat 'em Up / Hack and Slash

Defining Trait Player fights through waves of melee enemies, usually scrolling left to right

Core Mechanic Close-range combat with combos against multiple enemies

Landmark Games Streets of Rage 2 (1992), Devil May Cry (2001), Hades (2020)

Module Partially -- Module 8 (Fighting Game)

Run and Gun

Defining Trait Side-scrolling action focused on shooting while moving through linear levels

Core Mechanic Simultaneous movement and shooting with directional aiming

Landmark Games Contra (1987), Metal Slug (1996), Cuphead (2017)

Module Module 15

Shooter Genres

4 genres

Top-Down Shooter / Twin-Stick

Defining Trait Overhead view, player shoots in any direction while navigating threats

Core Mechanic Decoupled movement and aiming -- navigate space while directing fire

Landmark Games Robotron 2084 (1982), Geometry Wars (2005), Enter the Gungeon (2016)

Module Module 3

Shoot 'em Up (Shmup) / Bullet Hell

Defining Trait Screen fills with enemy projectiles; player weaves through patterns

Core Mechanic Navigation through bullet patterns -- reading negative space

Landmark Games Space Invaders (1978), DoDonPachi (1997), Ikaruga (2001)

Module Partially -- Module 3 covers fundamentals

First-Person Shooter (FPS)

Defining Trait Player sees through the character's eyes, shoots with crosshair

Core Mechanic Aim and shoot in 3D space from first-person perspective

Landmark Games Doom (1993), Half-Life (1998), Call of Duty 4 (2007)

Module Module 11

Third-Person Shooter (TPS)

Defining Trait Camera behind/over the player character, cover-based or action shooting

Core Mechanic Shooting with spatial awareness of your character's body in the world

Landmark Games Resident Evil 4 (2005), Gears of War (2006), Splatoon (2015)

Module Modules 12, 16

Adventure Genres

3 genres

Point-and-Click Adventure

Defining Trait Solve puzzles by examining and combining objects in a narrative world

Core Mechanic Inventory puzzle solving -- use item A on object B to progress

Landmark Games The Secret of Monkey Island (1990), Myst (1993), Disco Elysium (2019)

Module Module 17

Visual Novel

Defining Trait Narrative-driven with branching choices, minimal traditional gameplay

Core Mechanic Choosing dialog options that branch the story

Landmark Games Phoenix Wright (2001), Doki Doki Literature Club (2017), 13 Sentinels (2019)

Module Module 18

Walking Simulator / Exploration

Defining Trait Exploration-focused with environmental storytelling, minimal mechanics

Core Mechanic Moving through a space and discovering narrative through the environment

Landmark Games Gone Home (2013), Firewatch (2016), What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)

Module Module 19

RPG Genres

3 genres

Turn-Based RPG (JRPG)

Defining Trait Combat is turn-based with menus; progression through stats and leveling

Core Mechanic Selecting actions from menus in a turn-based combat system

Landmark Games Final Fantasy VI (1994), Chrono Trigger (1995), Persona 5 (2016)

Module Module 20

Action RPG

Defining Trait Real-time combat with RPG progression (stats, leveling, loot)

Core Mechanic Real-time combat where stats and gear affect outcomes

Landmark Games Diablo (1997), Dark Souls (2011), Elden Ring (2022)

Module Module 21

Roguelike / Roguelite

Defining Trait Procedurally generated levels, permadeath, high replayability

Core Mechanic Navigating procedural spaces where death resets progress (fully or partially)

Landmark Games Rogue (1980), Spelunky (2012), Hades (2020)

Module Module 7

Strategy Genres

5 genres

Real-Time Strategy (RTS)

Defining Trait Command units and manage resources in real-time against opponents

Core Mechanic Multi-unit selection, movement commands, and resource allocation simultaneously

Landmark Games StarCraft (1998), Age of Empires II (1999), Company of Heroes (2006)

Module Module 22

Turn-Based Strategy (TBS)

Defining Trait Players take turns moving units on a grid or map

Core Mechanic Positioning units and executing actions within a turn budget

Landmark Games Civilization (1991), Fire Emblem (1990), XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)

Module Module 23

Tower Defense

Defining Trait Place defensive structures to stop waves of enemies traversing a path

Core Mechanic Optimizing tower placement to maximize coverage and damage

Landmark Games Desktop Tower Defense (2007), Plants vs. Zombies (2009), Bloons TD 6 (2018)

Module Module 6

Auto-Battler

Defining Trait Draft and position units that fight automatically; strategy is in preparation, not execution

Core Mechanic Drafting units and arranging them on a board before combat resolves on its own

Landmark Games Dota Auto Chess (2019), Teamfight Tactics (2019), Super Auto Pets (2021)

Module Module 24

4X Strategy

Defining Trait Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate -- large-scale empire building

Core Mechanic Managing an empire across multiple interconnected systems

Landmark Games Civilization IV (2005), Stellaris (2016), Humankind (2021)

Module Module 25

Puzzle Genres

4 genres

Falling Block Puzzle (Tetris-like)

Defining Trait Pieces fall into a grid; player arranges them before they lock

Core Mechanic Spatial arrangement under time pressure

Landmark Games Tetris (1984), Dr. Mario (1990), Puyo Puyo (1991)

Module Module 5

Match-3

Defining Trait Swap adjacent tiles to create groups of 3+ matching elements

Core Mechanic Pattern recognition and chain reactions in a grid

Landmark Games Bejeweled (2001), Candy Crush Saga (2012), Puzzle Quest (2007)

Module Partially -- Module 5 covers grid-based puzzle fundamentals

Sokoban / Push-Block

Defining Trait Push objects into target positions on a grid

Core Mechanic Spatial reasoning -- objects only push, never pull

Landmark Games Sokoban (1982), Stephen's Sausage Roll (2016), Baba Is You (2019)

Module Module 26

Physics Puzzle

Defining Trait Solutions emerge from physics simulation interactions

Core Mechanic Set up conditions and let physics resolve the outcome

Landmark Games Angry Birds (2009), World of Goo (2008), Human: Fall Flat (2016)

Module Module 27

Racing Genres

3 genres

Arcade Racing

Defining Trait Speed and spectacle over realistic physics

Core Mechanic Controlling momentum through turns at high speed

Landmark Games OutRun (1986), Burnout 3 (2004), Forza Horizon 5 (2021)

Module Module 9

Kart Racing

Defining Trait Racing with power-up items that create chaos and catch-up opportunities

Core Mechanic Racing + item management -- items create drama and rubber-banding

Landmark Games Super Mario Kart (1992), Crash Team Racing (1999), Mario Kart 8 (2014)

Module Partially -- Module 9 covers racing fundamentals

Simulation Racing

Defining Trait Realistic vehicle physics and driving model

Core Mechanic Managing tire grip, braking zones, and racing lines

Landmark Games Gran Turismo (1997), iRacing (2008), Assetto Corsa (2014)

Module Module 28

Simulation Genres

3 genres

Management / Tycoon

Defining Trait Build and optimize a system (business, city, theme park)

Core Mechanic Resource allocation and system balancing across interconnected economies

Landmark Games SimCity (1989), RollerCoaster Tycoon (1999), Two Point Hospital (2018)

Module Module 29

Farming / Life Sim

Defining Trait Day/night cycle with crop/relationship management over in-game seasons

Core Mechanic Time management -- choosing how to spend limited in-game hours each day

Landmark Games Harvest Moon (1996), Stardew Valley (2016), Animal Crossing (2001)

Module Module 30

Survival / Crafting

Defining Trait Gather resources, craft tools, survive against environment and/or enemies

Core Mechanic Resource gathering and crafting loop -- turn raw materials into tools that enable gathering better materials

Landmark Games Minecraft (2011), Don't Starve (2013), Valheim (2021)

Module Module 31

Card & Board Game Genres

2 genres

Deckbuilder

Defining Trait Start with a weak deck, acquire cards during play to build a powerful engine

Core Mechanic Curating a deck that generates emergent strategy through random draw order

Landmark Games Dominion (2008), Slay the Spire (2019), Balatro (2024)

Module Module 10

Digital Card Game (TCG/CCG)

Defining Trait Two players play cards from pre-built decks in competitive matches

Core Mechanic Playing cards with costs and effects to reduce opponent's health to zero

Landmark Games Magic: The Gathering (1993), Hearthstone (2014), Marvel Snap (2022)

Module Partially -- Module 10 covers core card game mechanics

Rhythm Genres

1 genre

Rhythm / Music Game

Defining Trait Player inputs are synchronized to music; timing and accuracy are scored

Core Mechanic Hitting inputs in time with musical beats within a timing window

Landmark Games PaRappa the Rapper (1996), Guitar Hero (2005), Beat Saber (2018)

Module Module 32

Horror Genres

1 genre

Survival Horror

Defining Trait Limited resources and vulnerability create tension and fear

Core Mechanic Resource scarcity -- never having enough ammo/health to feel safe

Landmark Games Resident Evil (1996), Silent Hill 2 (2001), Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

Module Module 33

Casual & Mobile Genres

3 genres

Endless Runner

Defining Trait Auto-scrolling obstacle course; player input is reaction-based, game ends on failure

Core Mechanic Single-input survival against escalating speed/difficulty

Landmark Games Canabalt (2009), Temple Run (2011), Flappy Bird (2013)

Module Module 4

Idle / Incremental

Defining Trait Numbers go up, even when you're not playing

Core Mechanic Purchasing upgrades that increase the rate of resource generation

Landmark Games Cookie Clicker (2013), Adventure Capitalist (2015), Melvor Idle (2021)

Module Module 34

Hyper-Casual

Defining Trait One-touch mechanic, instant comprehension, session length under 1 minute

Core Mechanic Varies -- but always a single input mapped to one satisfying action

Landmark Games Flappy Bird (2013), Crossy Road (2014), Helix Jump (2018)

Module Partially -- Module 4 covers the design philosophy

Social & Party Genres

3 genres

Party Game

Defining Trait Multiple players competing in varied mini-games, accessible to non-gamers

Core Mechanic Varies per mini-game -- the meta-mechanic is variety and social interaction

Landmark Games Mario Party (1998), Jackbox Party Pack (2014), Among Us (2018)

Module Module 35

Trivia

Defining Trait Questions and answers with scoring

Core Mechanic Answering questions correctly under time pressure

Landmark Games You Don't Know Jack (1995), Buzz! (2005), Jackbox (2014)

Module Module 36

Social Deduction

Defining Trait Players have hidden roles; deception and deduction drive gameplay

Core Mechanic Lying and detecting lies -- game mechanics create structured social interaction

Landmark Games Mafia/Werewolf (1986), Town of Salem (2014), Among Us (2018)

Module Module 37

Sandbox & Open World

1 genre

Sandbox

Defining Trait Player-directed goals in a systemic world; create your own fun

Core Mechanic Building and experimentation within a simulation

Landmark Games Minecraft (2011), Garry's Mod (2004), Terraria (2011)

Module Module 38

Genre Blending

Most modern games blend genres. Recognizing the mechanics behind each genre helps you understand what's being combined:

Hades Roguelike + Action RPG + Beat 'em Up + Narrative

Slay the Spire Deckbuilder + Roguelike

Puzzle Quest Match-3 + RPG

Into the Breach Turn-Based Strategy + Roguelike + Puzzle

Mario Kart Racing + Party Game (items)

Vampire Survivors Bullet Hell (inverted) + Roguelite + Idle

Balatro Deckbuilder + Poker + Roguelike

The capstone module (Module 13) is your chance to try a blend of your own.