Every good video game unfolds a new story, fresh gameplay mechanics, and occasionally a main hero we fall in love with. However, what often ties it all together is the common theme that threads through the player experience. Whether it’s via a gritty post-apocalyptic world or a light-hearted fantasy realm, the colors, images, sounds, scenarios, and emotions we associate with the game are what leave those lasting impressions.
Space Exploration
The concept of space exploration has hooked many gamers over the years, especially as it taps into our innate curiosity about the mysteries of our universe. There’s a twofold interest in space games, however. These games could dive into gameplay relating to interstellar voyages and the discovery of new planets – think vibrant games like Astroneer or No Man Sky, where the goal is to go on adventures and simply discover. Or they could focus on the darker aspects of space exploration, encountering frightening alien threats like in Alien: Isolation or playing on fears such as claustrophobia and limited air supply in Dead Space.
Space is a common and popular theme in video games because of the opportunity for designers and programmers to play on the emotions that come with the vastness outside our world. The otherworldly motifs, sounds, and imagery relating to the theme also offer plenty of creativity. We can discover majestic planets, endless black holes, deafening silence, odd creatures, and space mechanics and physics that are one of a kind.
Sweet Treats and Candy
Candy-themed games provide a sense of whimsy and fun to games that feature playful soundtracks, quirky character designs, and colorful worlds. The beauty of this sweet theme is that its purpose is often simply to bring a sense of joy, which means it’s an appealing choice for both casual puzzle games and more intricate ones with deeper gameplay mechanics.
We’ve seen the candy theme in casual yet addicting games such as Candy Crush Saga – a tile-matching mobile game that has generated over 12 billion dollars in revenue – and online casino slot games like Sweet Bonanza. The theme of the game which revolves around candies, captivates players as a universally-loved motif. Of course, there are also long-form video games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Simpsons Game, and Kirby’s Dream Buffet, which all have levels and worlds that revolve around sweet treats.
Post-Apocalyptic
We can’t talk about the post-apocalyptic theme without talking about titles like Dying Light, Fallout, Left 4 Dead, and The Last of Us – so good of a game that they made a TV show out of it. Just like with the space exploration theme, it plays on our curiosities of “what’s out there” and “what would happen?” In this case, what would happen if society as we know it ceased to exist? Post-apocalyptic games typically explore the ideas of survival, human nature, and morality, transporting players into a dystopian setting characterized by overgrown landscapes and crumbling buildings, with free reign on where they want to go and what they want to do.
Interestingly, what was so captivating about The Last of Us series was its storyline, as it featured a robust narrative teeming with themes of loss, suffering, pain, love, and revenge that tugged on players’ heartstrings. Meanwhile, Fallout received critical acclaim due to its incredibly original setting and fascinating quest lines.
Superheroes
For as long as video games have been around, superheroes have too. The theme tends to draw gamers of all ages in, as the fast-paced, exciting gameplay lets people fulfill their fantasies of fighting off evil and saving the world. Often centered around comic book characters like Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, there’s a sense of nostalgia that comes with these iconic universes and characters that people have loved for generations. Playing on their backstories, associated superpowers, and mortal enemies, game developers use superheroes to craft a variety of different games. These might include open-world adventure games, puzzle-solving games, story-driven experiences, or more simplistic fighting games.
Given that the superhero genre has a passionate fan base outside of the gaming community, these video games naturally attract enthusiasts. They might want to immerse themselves even further into the narratives and worlds of their favorite heroes – a unique experience that only video games can provide.
War and History
While many become curious about the future and the what-ifs, some are more interested in engaging with the past. War and history-themed video games have the distinctive feature of being highly educational, referencing historical events, significant battles, and weapons for utmost authenticity. These games often focus on strategic and tactical gameplay styles and elements (occasionally turn-based), such as managing resources, planning military operations, and problem-solving, which brings a new dimension to the gaming experience.
Age of Empires lets players enjoy real-time strategy gameplay throughout a range of historical periods, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. If you’re looking for historical accuracy and the opportunity to build your own civilizations, you can’t miss out on it. More interested in traditional first-person shooters and less in strategy? The Battlefield series provides historical backdrops and vehicle combat without the strategic planning.
Medieval Fantasy
Medieval fantasy games are known to be extremely immersive, given their richly detailed worlds that take years to make and perfect. Several aspects characterize the genre, including extensive character customization and skill-development systems, engaging storylines that involve life-altering choices, mythical creatures and diverse NPCs, and epic journeys with plenty of side quests to keep gamers entertained.
Around every corner and after every decision, there are surprises and situations that continuously wow the player and contribute to its unyielding appeal. One of the most popular games in the genre is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a fantasy game set in a vast open world that the Elder Scrolls series is renowned for. It incorporates a lot of traditional role-playing game concepts like combat, skill training, races, and hundreds of unique locations to explore – cities, temples, marketplaces, shops – you name it.
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