Special feature:Game genres

There are so many games in different genres, so how do we differentiate them? In this article, you will know.

::::: First Person Shooter (FPS) :::::
FPS games put a weapon (or sometimes, two weapons) into your hands and allow you the freedom to do anything with it. When playing the game, you look through the character's eyes, as if you are that person! This is what makes FPS games interesting. Look, you are in another world!

Recent releases: Farcry Instincts Predator, Metroid Prime: Hunters
Upcoming releases: Crysis, FEAR Extraction Point, Metroid Prime 3:Corruption

::::: Real Time Strategy (RTS) :::::
RTS games are played from a bird eye's view, where you have a look at a big portion of a landscape. As it name suggests, RTS games demand strategy and planning before making the next move to attack the enemy. You can pick from a wide range of units to build in RTS games. This is also one of the many reasons why RTS games attract. RTS games are mostly played on PC.

Recent releases: Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
Upcoming releases: Command and Conquer 3:Tiberium Wars, Supreme Commander

::::: Role-playing Game (RPG) :::::
RPGs are played from a third person point of view. RPGs are the games that are the most demanding of all genres, at least in terms of time. One game can take over dozens of hours to complete. There are many characters and unlockable items, making RPGs a seductive genre. Oh, do not forget the difficult boss battles seen in many RPGs. Your characters level up and become more powerful as you progress.

Recent releases: Elder Scrolls 4:Oblivion
Upcoming releases: Ninety-Nine Nights (N3)

::::: Mass Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game (MMORPG) :::::
This genre is very similar to RPGs, save for the multiplayer feature. Make friends without even meeting them in MMORPGs. Popular MMORPGs include World of Warcraft and the Guild War series.

Recent releases: Guild War Factions
Upcoming releases: Final Fantasy 12

::::: Racing :::::
Ever wanted to go speeding in the city but never got the chance to? Then, racing games will suit you just nice. Beautiful cars are what racing games are known for. However, just one reminder: Gameplay can get terribly repetitive. That is no surprise, given the limited number of tracks you can race on. No, you don't have the whole world to yourself. Looks like the real world is better afterall!

Recent releases: Burnout Revenge, Full Auto, Motor GP 06
Upcoming releases: Grand Turismo 5, Ridge Racer 7

::::: Sports :::::
Like sports but never good at it? Do some sports in the virtual world then! A wide variety of sports is available. Soccer, basketball, rugby, boxing, wrestling, tennis, and almost everything! Most sports games receive yearly updates, like the ones from EA Big.

Recent releases: FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, Top Spin 2
Upcoming releases: NBA 2K7, WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007, Wii Sports

::::: Action :::::
Again, you play from a third person point of view, but it isn't any RPG. Like RTS games, Action games requires some strategy and planning. It looks like an FPS but does not offer the fast action of run-and-gun in FPS. It offers some puzzles to go with, but it is no puzzle game. Seems like a mix of all genres!

Recent releases: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, The Godfather
Upcoming releases: Splinter Cell Double Agent, Saint's Row

::::: Adventure :::::
Ah, the good old days! The 2D platformer. Adventure titles are now mostly seen on portable consoles. One famous character from this genre is Mario.

Recent releases: New Super Mario Bros.
Upcoming releases: Super Mario Galaxy







::::: Fighting :::::
Fighting simply means complex controls and many moves. Combo moves are the most beautiful. Recently, there has been a surge in female fighters in games.

Recent releases: Rumble Roses XX
Upcoming releases: Virtual Fighter 5

::::: Puzzle :::::
This genre of games are mostly seen on portable consoles, especially on Nintendo consoles. Recommended only for kids. Some innovative titles include Brain Age, Electroplankton, Whac-A-Mole.

Recent releases: Brain Age, Lumminies, Tetris DS
Upcoming releases: Big Brain Academy, Magnetica

I think that all genres of game are already covered. Anything else? Umh, I don't think so. If there is, feel free to post it in the comments section. Visit this blog again for the next special feature (The Art of Game Saving). Have a good read!