A game that gives a completely different feeling depending on your play style

There are games out there that are pretty strict in their play style. You can only complete it by playing it one specific way, and if there is an end, the path to it feels fairly linear. This is usually the case with many action-adventure titles that do not introduce selection mechanisms. At the other end of the spectrum are sandboxes and all kinds of more flexible games where two people can play and have completely different experiences.

Personally, I think it's a bit more interesting to talk about the latter category. It's really cool to share your gameplay experience of these games with friends and then realize that they did something in a completely different way. You could even argue that you get more bang for your buck with a title like this because you can approach it in a few different ways.

sims 4

Play healthy family fun or remove the pool ladder

Considering that it is the best life simulator, sims 4 here. It's one of those games that doesn't give you precise, clear objectives, and because there's no right way to do it, there's no pressure to do everything “right.” A perfectionist might spend all their time making sure everyone's needs are always green and ensuring their family's legacy lasts for years to come, while a more chaotic person might build a basement full of picture slaves led by a cult leader named Jim Pickens (if you know anything, you know).

But it goes deeper still. There are players who rarely see live mode and do most of their gameplay in CAS. They may have tons of custom content to play with, and are perfectly content just creating great looking Sims to put in their galleries. There are also Sims players – builders – who rarely see CAS or live modes, but enjoy the game's incredibly solid construction sandbox.

Rimworld

A cold colony simulation, or an abyss of madness.

There are several reasons. Rimworld The freedom, variety of gameplay options and styles, and unfussy graphics have become too great. Whatever your gaming background, you'll find some enjoyment in this charming colony sim. It's technically possible to reach the ending. RimworldAnd while there are some players who do, there are many who don't achieve it, either by choice or by chance.

The atmosphere of the game is the biggest differentiator in play style. Rimworld It can be incredibly chill and wholesome, almost Sims-like. Slaves and cannibals mixed together can get really crazy. If this sounds a lot like what you've seen in your wildest Sims play, you'll understand why. Rimworld It earned its spot on this list. No two playthroughs will ever look the same, especially between different players.

project zomboid

A grueling zombie survival story, or a lonely sim

I recently took the plunge. project zomboid After years of noticing the charming retro look of this game, sims There was also the art style, and I was surprised at the variety of play styles the game supported. You can customize your playthrough settings to your liking, and even decide what kind of zombies you want in the world if you want. you're right. You can completely eliminate zombies and roam and explore a quiet, quiet world.

Or maybe you're like me and dive into a very cold and easy version of the zombie apocalypse, where you first practice taking care of cute farm animals. Zombies are slow, can barely hear or see you, and you have a fighting chance. For me it was a surprisingly relaxing experience, more of a predator. On the other hand, you Zomboid's Hardcore aspect: One bite and your character's game is over. Zombies are incredibly smart. They see you from across town, and there are tons of people everywhere. Overall, customization is what makes a fantastic game that appeals to all levels of players.

prey

Using alien abilities will have a huge impact on gameplay

Of course, when discussing different play styles, we had to mention immersive simulations, and although they are a bit more limited than, say, sandbox survival or simulators, they are a growing genre thanks to the freedom and creativity they give players. prey If you choose to use multiple Neuromods to unlock alien abilities in the game, the space station's security will come into play, making it one of the coolest examples of playstyle directly affecting the experience.

And as you might expect, other human survivors will become hostile towards you if they discover you using your new alien abilities. Aside from your alien abilities, the various choices you make throughout the game also affect the tone of the ending, so quests you complete, people you help, etc. are all quietly tracked in the background.

Fallout: New Vegas

Your choices, stats, and skills affect everything

RPGs are a classic example of a play style that changes the feel of a game, and I can't think of a better example. Fallout: New Vegas. It really ramped up the RPG aspect. fallout There are few details, such as dialogue choices and very low stats for certain attributes that affect how NPCs react to you. Certain skills can also open up dialogue and quest choices that would otherwise be locked away.

For example, if you can fix something or convince someone, you get a little extra content. And of course, your stance on which faction you side with, all of this is on the onion skin of choices, actions and consequences. new vegasIn my opinion, it's one of the best RPGs of RPGs (if that makes sense). Lucy MacLean, who's good at Two Pairs of Shoes, might end the game in pacifist style, but it's kept simple as the other players can just pull out their guns and settle the whole thing.

Undertale

Your actions have a surprisingly profound impact

As for pacifism and genocidal tendencies: Undertale. next to new vegasThis is a very different game, a very quirky and creative indie RPG that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and delivery. Without the game explaining that you have the option to choose a specific path, how you resolve and handle the various encounters in Undertale will have a huge impact on the final ending you will receive.

You can complete the game by keeping everyone (yes, everyone!) alive, or you can choose to outright kill every character in your path. The tone of each playthrough is vastly different the deeper you go, and the genocidal path carries over into subsequent playthroughs if that's the approach you choose the first time. To be honest, this game was way ahead of its time, and it's definitely a conversation starter among friends when comparing gameplay even years after its release.

Baldur's Gate 3

Kill a hobo, kill no one, and everything in between.

One of the games that still makes great use of different play styles within the RPG realm is Baldur's Gate 3. good night new vegasIt's a bit like an onion with multiple layers affecting a single execution. It all starts with character creation. You can either surrender or embrace your true nature as Dark Urge, or you can choose to play the game as one of the pre-made characters. Personally, I highly recommend giving it a try at least once. How you tackle combat also adds tremendous flavor to each unique run, from running the most broken and overpowering Honor Mode ready builds to classic and timeless Barrelmancy.

Even if you follow the original Tav route, your class, background, race, and in-game choices greatly narrow what and how much you can do. It feels a bit like a sandbox at times. For example, doing something as simple as not killing Mintara in Act 1 will give you the opportunity to have her as an ally in Act 2. Your companions will also have choices, and as the protagonist, you can help them make choices depending on how much they appreciate you. You can push Shadowheart down a dark path and utilize Shar's armies in the final battle. Or maybe Mizora says “fuck Wyll” and pursues a relationship despite the unfair deal given to him. If you can think about it, you probably can, and like a true TTRPG, everyone will have their own signature style and unique story to tell later.

Elden Ring

Become a Bonk Master or Glintstone Connoisseur

Elden Ringunlike new vegas and Baldur's Gate 3It doesn't have much influence on your choice. Sure, there are a few quests you can do, and depending on how those quests are resolved, you might even unlock an alternate ending, but the game doesn't tell you this. The reason I'm introducing Elden Ring here is not because of the story, but because of the build crafting. This is a game where you have a completely different experience as you go through dungeons and boss battles, depending on the type of weapon and the abilities you choose.

The classic distinction is between melee and magic characters. You can deal massive damage in advance and even apply powerful conditions such as bleeding to enemies. The other prefers to fight from a distance and is often closer to a glass cannon than a melee opponent, so you'll often need to gain the upper hand in the dodge game. There's also Ashes of War and summons to make the gameplay more interesting, so you're essentially building a paradise for anyone who's more interested in story choices.

no man's sky

Explorer, Survivor, Architect

I talked about customization earlier. project zomboid Provided and I want to go back to that. no man's skyBecause it's another game that gives you a lot of freedom in that respect. This is the ultimate space sandbox game. No goals are imposed, and you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want, from collecting resources to exploring to flying to other star systems.

You can go as hard as you want with permadeath as an option, or get creative and build massive, complex space outposts without having to worry about survival or cost. I could have mentioned it too minecraft Because it's essentially the same mindset here. everyone's no man's sky It will be very different. Some people might be happy just taming adorable alien pets, while others might be happy to travel to the stars and raid cargo ships.