Game Explorer: Different Types of Games

This will be an evolving post on different types of games for the Game Explorer Quest. Action Games The Shoot Em Up genre was one of the earliest ones that I can remember being obsessed with. Part of the appeal is that there is limited strategy involved. It is primarily a matter of quick thinking and quicker reflexes. There are, however, some game mechanics that allow for variation in gameplay. The fighter capture mechanic in Galaga is a great example of this. Is it worth the risk of having a fighter captured (which may not be recovered if you don't play it correctly) worth the reward of having the double fighter? This is similar to the power-up elements in the different iteration of the Breakout genre. Sometimes, it seems that straight up play is the best way to go, but the temptation of doubling your firepower is tough to resist. There are also interesting ways of making the player think in different ways. The enemies that circle back in Galaga forced the player to keep their eyes moving. It was not enough to look at the enemies coming down. You had to watch your back as well. This was not something to consider in Space Invaders, and it adds another layer of strategy to the gameplay.