Games that feel completely different depending on the playstyle

There are games that are very strict when it comes to play styles. You can only complete them by playing in a certain way, and the path to the end, if there is one, feels very linear. That's usually the case with most action-adventure titles that don't introduce any choice mechanics. At the other end of the spectrum, you have sandboxes and all kinds of more flexible games, where two people will have a completely different experience going through the game.

Personally, I find the latter category a bit more interesting to talk about. It's kind of nifty to share the gameplay experience in these games with friends, only to realize they did something completely differently. You could argue that you also get more bang for your buck with titles like these, since you can approach them in a handful of ways.

The Sims 4

Play a healthy family, or remove the pool ladder

Considering this is the ultimate life simulator, it's no surprise to find this The Sims 4 here. It's one of those games that doesn't give you a precise, clear goal, and since there's no one right way, there's no pressure to do it “right”. A perfectionist might spend all his time making sure everyone's needs are always green, and family heirlooms last for years, while a more chaotic person might build basements full of painting slaves led by a cult leader named Jim Pickens (if you know, you know).

But it goes even deeper. There are players who barely ever see live mode, who do most of their gameplay in CAS. They may have a lot of custom content to play with, and are perfectly content with creating good looking sims to put in the gallery. You also have your builders, the Simmers who rarely see CAS or Live mode, but instead enjoy the game for its incredibly robust building sandbox.

RimWorld

A Chill Colony Sim, or Descendant of Madness

There are a few reasons RimWorld So great has been: the freedom, the variety of gameplay options and styles, and the graphics that are not demanding. Regardless of your gaming background, you'll find some level of enjoyment out of this fascinating colony sim. Technically it is possible to reach the end RimWorldAnd while there are players who do, there are also many who never get them, either by choice or by chance.

The tone of the game is one of the biggest differences between the playstyles. RimWorld Can be incredibly cool and healthy, and almost like beans. It can also be absolutely insane, with slaves and cannibals thrown into the mix. If this sounds like something you've seen in wild Sims playthroughs, then you'll understand why RimWorld It has earned its place on the list. No two playthroughs will ever look the same, especially between different players.

Project Zomboid

A terrific zombie survival story, or the lonely Sims

Just jumped on me Project Zomboid After years of looking at the game for its retro appeal The Sims I was amazed at the art style, and the variety of playstyles the game supports. You can tailor the playthrough settings to your liking, to determine the type of zombies you want in your world, if you want them. That's right: you can completely eliminate zombies, and just wander and explore a silent, peaceful world.

Or, you might be like me and decide to jump into a super chill and easy version of the zombie apocalypse, to practice at first, complete with cute farm animals. Zombies are slow, can barely hear or see you, and you stand a fighting chance. It's been a surprisingly relaxing experience that borders more on loot for me. On the other hand, you have some incredible players who are involved of Zomboid Hardcore Side: One bite, and you're done, game for your character. Zombies are incredibly smart; They see you from all around, and there are a ton of them everywhere. Overall, the customization makes it such a great game that appeals to players from all walks of life.

hunting

Using alien powers will have a major gameplay effect

Of course, I needed to mention an immersive sim when discussing different playstyles, and while they are a little more limited than sandbox survival, for example, or simulators, they are a genre that is growing due to the freedom and creativity they offer players. hunting It's one of the best examples of playstyle directly affecting your experience, as choosing to use a bunch of neuromods to unlock alien powers in the game will be up to you to protect the space station.

And, as you might expect, other human survivors will turn hostile towards you if they see you using your new alien powers. Aside from alien powers, a bunch of choices you make over the course of the game also affect the tone of your ending, so the quests you finish, the people you help, and so on are all quietly tracked in the background.

Fallout: New Vegas

Your choices, stats, and skills affect everything

RPGs are a great example of game styles changing how games feel, and I can't think of a better example. Fallout: New Vegas. It really cranked up the RPG aspect of it result Franchise at 200%, really low stats on some details like influencing dialogue choices and how NPCs react to you. Some skills also unlock dialogue and quest options that would otherwise be locked.

For example, being able to fix something or convince someone will give you some extra content. And of course, your stance with factions, whose side you're on—all of these are layers in the onion of choices, actions, and consequences. New VegasIn my humble opinion, one of the most RPG of RPGs (if that makes sense). A goody-two-shoes Lucy McLean can end the game in pacifist style, while another player can solve everything by pulling his gun, and it keeps it simple.

Undertale

Your actions have a surprisingly deep impact

Speaking of pacifist and genocidal tendencies, we have Undertale. on the side New VegasIt's a very different game, a highly quirky and inventive indie RPG that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and delivery. How you resolve and handle the various encounters in Undertale, without the game even explaining to you that you have the option to choose a particular path, has a huge impact on the final ending you get.

You can leave everyone (yes, everyone!) and complete the game, or you can choose to kill absolutely every character in your path. The tone of each playthrough is surprisingly different the further you go through it, and the carnage path will carry over into subsequent playthroughs as well if that's your first chosen approach. In all honesty, it was a game ahead of its time, and comparing playthroughs is sure to start conversations among friends, even years after its release.

Baldur's Gate 3

Murder hobo or don't kill anyone, and everything in between

Still within the realm of RPGs, a game that does a great job of different playstyles Baldur's Gate 3. like New VegasIt is like an onion, with many layers affecting a single run. It all starts with character building. You can have a dark urge, and either assimilate or embrace your nature, or you can choose to go into the game as one of the pre-made characters, which I personally recommend trying at least once. How you resolve fights, from the most broken, overpowered Honor Mode ready builds to the classic and timeless Barrelmancy, adds a ton of flavor to each unique run.

If you go the original Tav route, your class, background, race, and in-game choices will significantly narrow down what and how much you can do. Sometimes it almost feels a bit sandboxy. For example, a simple act like not killing Minthara in Act 1 will give you the chance to have her as a companion in Act 2. Your friends will also have options to choose from, and as the main character, you can help them choose based on how much they approve of you. You can turn Shadowheart into a dark path and take advantage of Shar's army in the final battle. Or, you can say “screw you” and romance Mizora despite the unfair deal. If you can think it, you can probably do it, and like a true TTRPG, everyone will have their own signature style and unique story to tell afterwards.

Alden Ring

Become a bonk master, or a glintstone connoisseur

Alden Ringopposite New Vegas and Baldur's Gate 3Not big on choices. Sure, there are some quests you can do, and depending on how they're resolved, you can unlock alternate endings, but the game doesn't telegraph this to you. The reason I featured Alden Ring here is not because of the story, but rather the art of construction. It's a game where, depending on the weapon types and stat choices you make, you'll have a very different experience going through its dungeons and boss fights.

The classic division is between wind and magic characters. One can deal devastating damage and even apply some powerful conditions like Bleed on enemies. The other prefers to fight from a distance and often needs to be on top of their dodging game, as they are a bit more glass cannon than their melee counterparts. There's also Ashes of War and Summons that spice up the gameplay even more, so it's essentially building heaven for anyone more interested in story choices.

Man has no sky

Explorer, Survivor, Builder

Earlier I mentioned customization Project Zomboid provides, and I want to return to that Man has no skyBecause this is another game that offers a lot of freedom in that regard. This is the ultimate space sandbox game. It doesn't impose any goals, and you can go where you want and do what you want, from gathering resources to exploring or flying to another star system.

You can go as hard as you like with permadeath as an option, or you can hop into creativity and build these huge, complex space outposts without worrying about survival and costs. I could have mentioned it too Minecraft Here, because it's essentially the same mindset. of all Man has no sky will vary greatly. Some may be happy tapping adorable alien pets, while others may attack stars and freighters.