Some games stand out not just for their quality, but because they completely redefine their genres. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took the open-world RPG genre to new heights. While RPGs had always been known for Onebetasia deep narratives, The Witcher 3 raised the bar by combining a detailed world with a morally complex story. Every choice you made felt impactful, not just for Geralt, but for the world around him. The game made it clear that RPGs could be as much about storytelling and character development as they were about exploration and combat.
Dark Souls redefined the action RPG genre by focusing on difficulty, atmosphere, and deliberate combat. What set Dark Souls apart was its ability to offer challenge without hand-holding. Players had to learn through trial and error, and the world itself was designed to be mysterious and unforgiving. The game’s interconnected world and lore-driven design set the stage for an entire subgenre—now known as “Soulslike” games—that continues to influence developers.
On PlayStation, Horizon Zero Dawn redefined open-world action games. Instead of relying on traditional shootouts, it introduced mechanical creatures as the core antagonist. The game’s setting, blending a post-apocalyptic world with futuristic technology, was fresh and exciting. Aloy, the protagonist, became a new symbol of strength and survival in the genre, and the game’s story wasn’t just about saving the world—it was about self-discovery and the consequences of humanity’s actions.
These games don’t just sit comfortably in their respective genres—they revolutionize them, paving the way for future titles and shifting the expectations of what these genres can deliver.