Top most popular game genres: what do gamers prefer?

In this article, together with Yevhen Kasyanenko, our leading expert and head of KISS Software, we will figure out which game genre is the most popular right now, what has been at the top for years, and what trends are worth keeping an eye on for the future.

The most popular PC game genres

“The PC platform is still the industry’s laboratory, where technologies are tested before conquering consoles and smartphones. Entire worlds are created here that captivate players for hundreds of hours and set the direction for the entire gaming culture,” says our expert.

Below, we have compiled a list of the most popular PC game genres.

Action – drive and speed

Action is a genre that is always on the move. It keeps the player on their toes, testing their reaction speed, accuracy, and endurance. There is no time to think: bullets are flying, enemies are attacking, and the gamer is at the very center of the action. It is precisely because of this pace and spectacle that action games are loved by millions.

Subgenres of action games:

1. Shooters (FPS, TPS) – gunfights in which accuracy and tactics are important. Examples: Call of Duty, DOOM, Counter-Strike.
2. Fighting games – one-on-one battles with an emphasis on combos, timing, and reflexes. Examples: Mortal Kombat, Tekken.
3. Slasher games – close combat, combo strikes, and spectacular attacks. Examples: Devil May Cry, God of War.
4. Stealth action games – stealthy progression, surprise attacks, and attention to detail. Examples: Assassin’s Creed, Metal Gear Solid.

Why action games remain at the top:

• Maximum excitement. In action games, every fight is an adrenaline rush.
• Gameplay variety. There are battles, puzzles, and exploration.
• Quick start. You can get the hang of it in a minute, but mastery takes time.
• High replayability. It’s interesting to play again even months later.

Action is a genre that never stands still. Every year it becomes more beautiful, faster, and more intense. If you like intense gameplay where every action matters, then action will be your gaming element.

Role-playing games (RPG) – freedom of choice and depth of the world

Popular game genres cannot do without RPGs – this is when the player does not just control the hero, but becomes part of the world themselves. They decide who they want to be, choose how to act, who to be friends with, and who to fight. Here, it’s important not only to fight, but also to think: to level up abilities, make difficult decisions, and watch how personal choices change the plot and relationships with characters. This is a genre where the gamer really influences the story — and that’s where all the magic lies.

What’s inside the genre:

• Action RPGs – dynamic battles + a well-developed plot and character development. Examples: The Witcher 3, Elden Ring.
• Classic RPGs – measured turn-based combat, a non-linear story, dialogues like in a good book. Examples: Baldur’s Gate, Fallout.
• MMORPG – huge online worlds where you play side by side with thousands of other people. Examples: World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV.

Why RPGs are so addictive:

• Real worlds. The world in an RPG is not just a backdrop, but a living ecosystem with a history, laws, and surprises.
• Complete freedom. Want to be a kind paladin? Go ahead. A traitor? No one will stop you.
• Development and leveling up. You shape your hero yourself: choose abilities, weapons, and play style.
• Many options. One storyline — lots of different outcomes. Each playthrough can be unique.

A true top-tier RPG is when you turn off the game and still find yourself thinking about whether your character did the right thing. It’s a genre that makes you empathize, think, and come back again and again.

Shooters (FPS/TPS) — esports and the skin economy

Shooters are all about speed, accuracy, and nerves of steel. Whether it’s first-person (FPS) or third-person (TPS), the player finds themselves in the hottest spots, where every move can be decisive. It’s important to be able to act quickly and work as a team, so it’s no surprise that the most popular genre of games for esports is the shooter.

Main subgenres:

1. Tactical shooters – strategy, teamwork, and precise task execution are important here. Examples: Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant.
2. Arcade shooters – fast-paced and spectacular, with an emphasis on excitement rather than realism. Examples: Overwatch, Call of Duty.
3. Survival + shooter – PvP and PvE in one bottle: you don’t just have to shoot, but also gather resources, build, and survive. Examples: Escape from Tarkov, PUBG.

Why the genre is still at the top:

• Multiplayer and competition. Team battles, ranked leagues, and clans create excitement and the desire to be the best.
• Esports. Tournaments with millions in prizes and huge audiences make shooters the center of the professional scene.
• Updates. New maps, weapons, and modes keep things interesting.
• Easy to get started. Just jump in and play. But to win, you’ll have to work on your skills.

Shooters are all about fast pace, adrenaline, and teamwork. Whether you’re playing a couple of matches in the evening or grinding for a spot in a tournament, this genre will find a way to captivate you.

Strategy games (RTS, TBS) — intelligence and tactics

Strategy games don’t chase millisecond reactions. Instead of shooting blindly, calculation wins here. The player commands armies and cities, calculates logistics, diplomatic risks, and the economics of moves. The audience for this genre is smaller than that for shooters, but it is the one most willing to buy DLC and soundtracks years after release.

The main subgenres of strategy games:

1. RTS (real-time strategy) – everything happens on the fly; you need to build bases, gather resources, and lead your army into battle without pause. Examples: StarCraft, Age of Empires.
2. TBS (turn-based strategy) – each player takes turns making moves. This gives you time to think and develop deep tactics. Examples: Civilization, XCOM.
3. City building – take care of transportation, taxes, and the happiness of residents as the city grows floor by floor. Examples: Cities: Skylines, SimCity.

Why strategy games are still loved:

• Depth and complexity. There is no room for chance here—the winner is the one who thinks several steps ahead.
• Replayability. Different tactics and scenarios make each game unique.
• Online competitions. Esports is actively developing in RTS, with tournaments and leagues.
• Thinking skills development. Strategy games are great for training logic, patience, and analytical skills.

Yes, it’s not the most popular genre, but strategy games have their own loyal audience that appreciates thoughtful and thoughtful gameplay. And in 2025, this genre will still be relevant for those who like to win with their brains rather than their clicks.

Simulators – realism as it is

A simulator lets you try on someone else’s role without leaving your computer. Want to drive a truck, fly a plane, or start a farm? These games make it possible. Everything is as close to reality as possible, and that’s the main thrill of the genre.

Popular types of simulators:

1. Farming – managing a farm, planting crops, caring for animals, and seasonal cycles. Examples: Stardew Valley, Farming Simulator.
2. Car simulators – driving on highways and in cities, where physics, control, and even traffic rules are important. Examples: Euro Truck Simulator, Assetto Corsa.
3. Life simulators – simulating everyday life: family, home, work, leisure. Examples: The Sims, Animal Crossing.

Why players choose simulators:

• Calm and rhythm. If you don’t choose a reaction race, you can play almost meditatively – ideal after a stressful day.
• Complete freedom. Do what you want, when you want—without pressure or set goals.
• Maximum realism. Everything, from controlling equipment to character behavior, is worked out in detail.
• Usefulness and interest. You can really learn something—whether it’s the basic principles of logistics, agricultural technology, or financial management.

Simulators are not about spectacle, but about immersion. They give you a sense of control and create a world where you can live the way you want.

Sandboxes – complete freedom of action

Sandbox is a genre where the player creates a virtual world around them and exploits it at their discretion. There are no final credits or rigid quest routes; the gamer essentially gets a huge Rubik’s cube and decides for themselves what to build with it.

Notable examples of sandbox games:

1. Minecraft – a cult game in which you can create entire worlds from cubes, craft, survive, and experiment.
2. GTA V – a huge open city where you can complete missions, participate in races, cause chaos, or simply drive around the streets.
3. Terraria is a pixelated 2D world full of adventures, dungeons, enemies, and opportunities for creativity.

Why sandboxes remain popular:

• Freedom of action. There are no scripts—players write their own stories.
• Endless replayability. You can play differently every time.
• Creativity. Build a castle, create a mechanism, or design an entire city — there are no limits.
• Community. Active communities create mods, maps, and challenges that constantly refresh the gameplay.

Sandbox games are games without rules, where the player is their own director, architect, and hero. An excellent choice if you want to play by your own rules.

Survival – the struggle for resources

Survival games are when you wake up somewhere in the forest, on a deserted island, or in the depths of the ocean. No food, no weapons, just your bare hands. And then there’s just you, nature, and a bunch of problems. Gathering resources, crafting tools, building shelters, defending yourself from enemies, and fighting the cold or hunger are all an integral part of the genre. Here, every action is a matter of survival.

Popular games in this genre

1. Rust – PvP survival in an online world where danger comes not only from the environment, but also from other players.
2. The Forest – a dark adventure in the wilderness with elements of horror and a mysterious story.
3. Subnautica – solo survival in an alien ocean: build a base, explore the depths, and try not to get eaten.

Why players choose survival:

• Challenges. Constant tension, lack of resources, unpredictable situations – it definitely won’t be boring.
• No scenarios. You decide how to survive, what to build, and where to go.
• Variety of gameplay. Crafting, exploration, combat, construction – all in one.
• Play with friends. Many survival projects support co-op, which means surviving together will be more fun.

The survival genre is a challenge where every day could be your last. But it is precisely for this thrill and the freedom to survive in your own way that it is so loved.

Battle Royale – the strongest survive

One hundred players jump out of a transport plane onto a huge map. Everyone has empty backpacks and one goal: to be the last one alive as the deadly zone narrows step by step. The genre combines the thrill of a shooter, the tension of survival, and the excitement of the final round.

The most prominent representatives of the genre:

1. PUBG – a harsh, almost military atmosphere and realistic shooting. Every detail is important here.
2. Fortnite – build fast, shoot accurately, win creatively. Unique style and fun gameplay.
3. Apex Legends – ultra-dynamic, heroes with abilities, and perfect balance for team play.

Why Battle Royale is still at the top:

• Free and easy to get started. Just download and go – no unnecessary barriers.
• Every match is a new scenario. You never know how the game will go: fatal failure or epic victory.
• A competitive spirit. Tournaments, rankings, streams – want to become a legend? Welcome.
• Constant movement. The developers are always on the move: new maps, skins, heroes, and events appear regularly.

Battle Royale is about survival, tension, and the thrill of victory, especially if you’re the last one standing.

Why do some genres go out of style, while others live forever?

“Game hits are born every year, but not every genre experiences a second wave of popularity. Those that remain timeless are the ones that know how to adapt, grow their fan base, and strike an emotional chord,” notes Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Below, we will go over the most important aspects for keeping a genre at the top.

Innovation—a genre is alive as long as it changes

Genres that regularly adapt to new technologies and changing player tastes remain popular. For example:

• RPGs have moved from linear quests to open worlds with procedural tasks.
• Shooters have introduced photorealistic sound and ray tracing so that each bullet sounds different.
• Strategy games have automated AI assistants and flexible economies.

When mechanics evolve, players are interested in coming back and checking out what has changed.

A strong community is a free marketing engine

Mods, custom maps, and streams extend the life of a game longer than any advertising campaign. For example:

• CS:GO and Valorant thrive thanks to tournaments.
• Minecraft and Sims thrive thanks to millions of videos and user-generated content.

The more actively fans create additional content themselves, the longer the genre stays on the radar.

Emotion and nostalgia

Games that know how to touch players, whether through their storyline, atmosphere, or aesthetics, stay with them for a long time. They want to return to them. For example:

• Classic RPGs like Gothic or Baldur’s Gate inspire remakes, sequels, and nostalgic discussions.
• Old strategies get updates, remaining relevant — remember Age of Empires Definitive Edition, for example.
• Legendary horror games are returning with modern remakes and a new generation of fans (Resident Evil, Silent Hill).

“For a genre to survive, it needs three things: evolution, community, and emotion. If it has all of these, it doesn’t just stay on the market, it becomes part of the cultural code that you want to immerse yourself in again and again,” emphasizes Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Why is a professional approach to development important?

In 2025, simply making a top-tier game is no longer enough. Competition is fierce, players are spoiled by quality, and the market is saturated. To ensure that a project does not get lost among hundreds of releases, development must be approached as both a business and an art form.

What really influences success:

• The right choice of genre. Making a mistake at the start means wasting resources. You need to understand what’s trending, which niches are available, and where there’s a real chance to succeed.
• Competent game design. The game must be engaging. It’s not just about mechanics, it’s about emotions, motivation to return, and the desire to complete another level.
• Technical aspects. Lag, bugs, long loading times—all of these kill interest. Smooth, stable performance and pleasant graphics, on the other hand, are the key to good reviews and high ratings upon release.

When gaming is serious business

If you want to do more than just release a game and create a product that will get noticed, you need a strong team. KISS Software, led by Yevhen Kasyanenko, is ready to take on the entire cycle:

• We will advise you on which genre to choose and how to stand out from the competition.
• We will help you think through the world, mechanics, and balance to make the game engaging.
• We will take care of development, testing, and optimization—from prototype to launch.

Do you want your game to not just be released, but to really appeal to players? Turn to the professionals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we would like to note that there is no such thing as the perfect, most popular genre for everyone — there is one that suits you personally:

• If you want to immerse yourself in the plot and atmosphere, try an RPG.
• Need an adrenaline rush? Try a shooter or a dynamic action game.
• Like to calculate every move? Strategy and city-building games await.
• Prefer peace and quiet? Simulators and sandboxes will give you a meditative rhythm.

The main thing is to choose a project that makes your eyes light up. And if you dream of creating your own world where players will live for weeks, come to KISS Software. We will help you choose a genre, assemble a team, and deliver your game to release right on time. Let’s build hits together!