8 Games That Changed How We Play: Discovering New Genres
Groundbreaking games have the power to reshape entire genres, introducing innovative mechanics and storytelling techniques. This article explores 8 games that have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, transforming how we play and experience interactive entertainment. Drawing from expert insights, we’ll examine these game-changing titles and their lasting impact on the industry.
- Into the Breach Redefines Turn-Based Strategy
- Dwarf Fortress Unveils Complex Gaming Ecosystems
- Journey Transforms Gaming into Spiritual Experience
- Portal Blends Puzzles with Compelling Storytelling
- Hades Revolutionizes Roguelike Genre with Progression
- Dark Souls Challenges Players with Punishing Gameplay
- Slay the Spire Hooks Players with Strategic
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Elevates Storytelling in RPGs
Into the Breach Redefines Turn-Based Strategy
Into the Breach completely changed the way I think about turn-based strategy, and honestly, it opened a door to a genre I hadn’t fully appreciated before.
I’ve always gravitated toward fast-paced, action-driven games, stuff where you feel the momentum moment to moment. So when a friend recommended this small, pixel-art tactics game where every move is like solving a puzzle… I was skeptical. But within ten minutes, I was hooked.
What blew me away wasn’t just the tight mechanics or the elegant design, it was the clarity. Every decision mattered. There was no RNG to hide behind. You knew exactly what the enemy was going to do, and success came down to how smartly you could adapt. It was minimal, focused, and deeply satisfying.
That experience unlocked a new appreciation for slower, more cerebral games. I started diving into titles like XCOM, Slay the Spire, and more recently, Tactics Ogre Reborn. It reshaped my taste and reminded me that good game design isn’t about complexity, it’s about clarity, choice, and consequence.
David Diaz
Co-Founder and Chief Commerical Officer, Ray Browser
Dwarf Fortress Unveils Complex Gaming Ecosystems
Dwarf Fortress was the game that introduced me to a whole new level of gameplay complexity I didn’t know I craved. Its intricate systems, from colony management to emergent storytelling, taught me that games can be more than just entertainment—they can be deeply strategic, creative, and almost like a living ecosystem.
What fascinated me was how Dwarf Fortress doesn’t hold your hand. It throws you into a world where success and failure come from how you understand and interact with its mechanics, not from following a script. This made me rethink what I valued in gaming—not just instant gratification, but long-term challenges and the satisfaction of overcoming them. It also shaped how I approach projects at OnlineGames.io, where I focus on creating experiences that give players meaningful agency. It’s not about flashy graphics or linear narratives—it’s about giving players the tools to create their own stories, just like Dwarf Fortress does so brilliantly.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu
CEO, Online Games
Journey Transforms Gaming into Spiritual Experience
I thought I had outgrown gaming until a game with no enemies, no weapons, and no real win condition completely rewired my brain.
I was managing my business in Mexico City, constantly switching between negotiations, logistics, and online marketing when I stumbled upon Journey, a short indie game I initially downloaded out of curiosity. What I experienced in those two hours flipped my understanding of what a game could be. With no spoken dialogue and only subtle musical cues, it used emotional pacing and anonymous multiplayer to create something that felt closer to a spiritual connection than gameplay.
That single game pulled me into the world of ambient exploration games, a genre I had dismissed for years. Journey was followed by ABZU, Inside, and The Pathless. Each one gave me a kind of mental clarity I never expected from a controller. It wasn’t just entertainment. It became a ritual. I started using these sessions to reset after high-pressure weeks running my tourism and transport services.
It changed my preferences completely. I now actively seek games that create atmosphere instead of adrenaline, presence instead of performance. According to Steam data, atmospheric indie games have grown by over 400 percent in catalog availability since 2015. I’ve personally played more than 20 in the past three years, which is more than I played first-person shooters in the entire decade before.
The shift wasn’t only personal. It showed me how simplicity, silence, and user experience could drive loyalty. I later applied this to designing private tour packages where the idea of “less is more” became a real differentiator. Strange to say, but a wordless desert journey taught me to listen more closely to what my clients weren’t saying.
Martin Weidemann
Owner, Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com
Portal Blends Puzzles with Compelling Storytelling
I remember the first time I stumbled upon “Portal.” It totally shifted my view on what a puzzle game could be. Before that, I was all about fast-paced action games, but “Portal” mixed puzzle-solving with a compelling story in such a seamless way. It was clever, not just in its puzzles, but also in its use of narrative to enhance the gameplay.
It definitely opened my eyes to seeking out games that blend genres or innovate with mechanics. After “Portal”, I started exploring more indie games that push boundaries, like “Braid” or “Limbo.” These games might not be your typical blockbusters, but they’re packed with creativity. So, if you’re ever feeling a bit jaded with what seems like the same old, give one of those genre-bending games a shot—it might just surprise you!
Alex Cornici
Marketing & PR Coordinator, Magic Hour AI
Hades Revolutionizes Roguelike Genre with Progression
The game that introduced me to a whole new genre—and changed my gaming preferences—was “Hades” by Supergiant Games. Before that, I never thought I’d like roguelikes. The idea of restarting over and over after dying seemed frustrating and repetitive. But Hades flipped that on its head.
What hooked me was how the game turned failure into progress. Every run, no matter how short, would reveal more story, unlock new weapons, or deepen relationships with characters. It made death feel less like a punishment and more like a stepping stone. That loop of learning, improving, and slowly mastering systems became addictive in the best way.
The fast combat paired with narrative progression—even in a genre not known for storytelling—was a revelation. It taught me I crave systems that reward persistence and that challenge can be fun if there’s heart and depth behind it.
Since playing Hades, I’ve found myself drawn to other roguelikes and games with layered progression systems like Dead Cells and Slay the Spire. It changed how I define fun in games—from winning or completing something to the feeling of growth and discovery with each attempt.
Sovic Chakrabarti
Director, Icy Tales
Dark Souls Challenges Players with Punishing Gameplay
The game that introduced me to a new genre and totally changed my gaming preferences was Dark Souls. Before playing it, I mostly stuck to action-adventure and RPGs with straightforward combat. But Dark Souls introduced me to the idea of punishing yet fair gameplay, where patience and learning enemy patterns mattered more than button-mashing. The mechanic of exploring interconnected worlds with hidden shortcuts fascinated me. It made me appreciate games that challenge you mentally and reward careful observation. After that, I found myself seeking out more difficult, strategic games with deep lore, like Bloodborne and Sekiro. It shifted my taste from casual, story-driven games to ones that demand skill and perseverance, which has broadened my entire gaming experience.
Nikita Sherbina
Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
Slay the Spire Hooks Players with Strategic
Slay the Spire introduced me to deck-building roguelikes. I didn’t expect to enjoy card-based combat, but the strategy hooked me fast. It made me appreciate slower, more thoughtful games. Now I look for mechanics that reward planning over speed.
Girish Manglani
CEO & Co-Founder, ezcards.io
Baldur’s Gate 3 Elevates Storytelling in RPGs
Baldur’s Gate 3 got me into turn-based RPGs. I used to skip games with slower pacing, but the depth and choices here pulled me in. Combat feels tactical without being tedious, and the writing makes every decision count. It changed how I think about storytelling in games.
Bryan Philips
Head of Marketing, In Motion Marketing
