Match 3 Building Games

I use an app on my mobile phone to earn a little bit of extra cash by playing different games. It's not much... well more than my blog currently but still about one to two euro a month. Anyways while downloading and playing games I came across one that is a lot of fun to play.

Match-3 Genre

I haven't done a post about this genre but I probably should. For now, here's a short explanation of what these games are like. As the name mentions it already the idea is to match 3 or more of the same object together. It's most often seen as a puzzle game genre but this... well... just keep reading.

Merge Dragons! - Game Concept

The basic game is quite simple there are different types of objects that you merge together to upgrade them basically. You start off with growing plants that if merged form a flower. Additionally, you'll see dragon eggs at the very beginning of the game if you merge those you get a dragon. This dragon can interact with the objects in the game like getting life essence from the flower which can be used to purify dead ground that. Any objects on the dead ground can't be interacted with or moved unless you match them or purify them. In the rest of the game, you will find all kinds of different objects, especially in the camp or housing styled level. Almost all of them can be upgraded many of them can be interacted with.

Match 3 and Building

I don't know if this is the first mobile game that implemented this idea, but it's the first one I found. Now I've been wondering since it's a lot of fun and most of the fun really comes from the housing styled level and not from the puzzle levels. If you take the idea of the settlers, age of empires or any other building game and apply match-3 gameplay to it the resulting game could be quite interesting.

Now the biggest issue I see is that building games and match-3 definitely doesn't clash as seen in the mobile game I've been playing. However, for more building games like settlers or the age of empires, a match-3 theme wouldn't fit the aesthetics.

Inspiration

Having seen and played this game is quite inspiring and like with the most interesting ideas I see, it raises the question. Which other games, genres or mechanics can be matched with the match-3 genre? I have heard and seen a lot of games that implement a game concept like bejeweled and add another game concept running at the same time, like matching jewels or symbols to attack the enemy, but maybe there is a more direct implementation possible? Like a chess field of enemies and you can merge 3 smaller minions to a bigger minion and let those statues fight?

Well... let it sank in-game devs and designers.

Existing Game Genres According to Wikipedia

It's really interesting to check out and learn about different genres. This allows you to think about mixing genres or it allows you to try to make up a completely new genre that does not exist yet. To come up with something that does not exist you need to know everything that does exist. Even though you can argue that it's better to know nothing as you're not inspired by something and you can prevent copying. That's another topic though.

All Game Genres on Wikipedia

I went through all the subpages from the game genre page of Wikipedia listed them accordingly and then I removed all duplicates. I'm planning to make a singular post for almost all of these going into detail about the elements they use so you know how to implement them. Just search the 'genre' label to find the respective posts. 

1 Action
  1.1 Platformer / Jump 'n Run
    1.1.1 Puzzle-platform game
    1.1.2 Run 'n gun game
    1.1.3 Cinematic platformer
    1.1.4 Comical action
    1.1.5 Isometric platformer
    1.1.6 Platform-adventure
    1.1.7 Endless Running
  1.2 Shooter games
    1.2.1 Shoot 'em up / STG / SHMUP
      1.2.1.1 Fixed shooters
      1.2.1.2 Rail shooters
      1.2.1.3 Tube Shooters
      1.2.1.4 Scrolling Shooters
        1.2.1.4.1 Vertically scrolling shooters
        1.2.1.4.2 Side-Scrolling Shooters
        1.2.1.4.3 Isometrically scrolling shooters
      1.2.1.5 Multidirectional shooters
      1.2.1.6 Bullet Hell
      1.2.1.7 Cute 'em up
      1.2.1.8 Run and gun
    1.2.2 Shooting gallery
1.2.3 First-person shooters
1.2.4 Third-person shooters
1.2.5 Hero shooters
1.2.6 Tactical shooters
1.3 Fighting games
1.4 Beat 'em up games
1.5 Stealth game
1.6 Survival games
1.7 Rhythm games

2 Adventure
2.1 Interactive fiction
2.2 Interactive movie
2.3 Visual novel
2.4 Dating Sim
2.4.1 Eroge
2.4.2 Bishojo
2.4.3 Otome
2.5 Escape the room
2.6 Action-adventure
2.6.1 First-person action-adventure
2.6.2 Third-person action-adventure
2.6.3 Immersive sim
2.6.4 Platform-adventure games
2.6.5 Isometric platform-adventure
2.6.6 Stealth games
2.6.7 Survival horror
2.6.8 Survival games
2.6.9 Metroidvania
2.7 Graphic adventures
2.8 Real-time 3D adventures

3 Role-playing
3.1 Action RPG
3.1.1 First-person dungeon crawl
3.1.2 Point and click
3.1.3 Role-playing shooter
3.2 First-person party-based RPG
3.3 MUD
3.3.1 Hack 'n Slash MUD
3.3.2 PvP MUD
3.3.3 Roleplaying MUD
3.3.4 Social MUD
3.3.5 Talker
3.3.6 Educational MUD
3.3.7 Graphical MUD
3.4 MMORPG
3.5 Sandbox RPG
3.6 Tactical RPG
3.7 Roguelikes
3.8 Fantasy
3.9 JRPG

4 Simulation
4.1 Construction and management simulation
4.1.1 City-building
4.1.2 Theme park management
4.1.3 Colony management
4.1.4 Business simulation management
4.1.5 Government simulation management
4.1.6 Sports management
4.2 Life simulation
4.2.1 Digital Pet
4.2.2 God
4.2.3 Social simulation
4.3 Sport
4.3.1 Arcade
4.3.2 Simulation
4.3.3 Management
4.3.4 Multisport
4.3.5 Sports-based fighting
4.3.6 Racing
4.4 Vehicle simulation
4.4.1 Flight simulator
4.4.1.1 Amateur flight simulator
4.4.1.2 Combat flight simulator
4.4.2 Space flight simulator
4.4.2.1 Space combat
4.4.2.2 Space trading
4.4.3 Submarine simulator
4.4.4 Train simulator
4.4.5 Vehicular combat
4.4.6 Farming simulator
4.4.7 Boat and naval simulation
4.4.8 Tank and mech simulation
4.4.9 Trucking simulator

5 Strategy
5.1 4X game
5.2 Artillery game
5.3 Real-time strategy (RTS)
5.4 Real-time tactics (RTT)
5.5 Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA)
5.6   MMORTS
5.7 Tower defense
5.8 Turn-based strategy (TBS)
5.9 Turn-based tactics (TBT)
5.10 Wargame
5.11 Grand strategy wargame

6 Other genres
6.1 MMO
6.2 Casual games
6.3 Party game
6.4 Programming game
6.5 Logic game
6.6 Trivia game
6.7 Board game / Card game
6.8 Serious game
6.9 Educational game
6.10 Exergame
6.11 Electronic sports

7 Idle gaming

Wikipedia Doesn't List All

Wikipedia is a website where humanity can accumulate information. So, new genres that are created on the go are not listed here. Also, there might be more subgenres that either haven't been named yet or focused on. Since - technically - you can create a genre of any individual game once there are multiple similar ones. Another thing is that you can categorize games by graphic style. Like the genre of 8-bit games or something. However, the ones listed and used nowadays usually describe the game elements and gameplay.

Game Genre: Run or Rape

Yep, this is no mistake and this is no clickbait. There is a run or rape genre in gaming actually and I'm discussing it in an educational if not at least analytical way for other game developers. Regardless of how well this can be salvaged or used for your games, it is a game genre in itself and as such should be mentioned at some point somewhere. Though I guess it might be one of the newer ones and I don't know how long it will hold up.

Creation of the Run or Rape Genre

The run or rape genre is more a sub-genre of the jump and run type. That's also where the name comes from. We're talking about games that will have you run, jump and fight enemies just like you would imagine it from a jump and run game. The difference is the rape part which is usually done in different ways.

Side-note: Even though the genre title would be thought to only describe games that contain sexual content in combination with running away from the targets, the genre is often used to describe any action type of games that contain real-time gameplay and sexual content, such as jump and run, run and gun, fighting games and beat 'em up games as well as the action-adventure sub-genre of adventure games.

Typical Elements

Typical elements or most common elements for this genre include...

Grappling

Grappling is usually done by enemies under different circumstances or events. These events usually are 'on enemy contact' but are sometimes limited to 'when armor is broken', 'health is below x%' or player 'died'. When grappled the player is tasked with varying jobs, depending on the game, to break free from the grappling. Failing to do so will usually result in a sexual animation. Most often this sexual animation can be interrupted by still breaking from the grappling. Examples for the jobs that have to be done go from literal button mashing to passing in combinations of directions. (using directional keys)

Armor System
"Ghouls 'n Ghosts" is not the only game where you lose your armor. I don't know whether this idea originated from that game now that I think about but often you can see the protagonist lose their armor depending on an armor value that decreases on taking damage or tied to the amount of health the player has left.

Lust System
Many games even contain a lust system. Even though it's contained in many games it's purpose differs immensely. Some games use it to make it harder to break the grapples and other games use it for a completely different game mechanics. There are even games out there that only use it as a cosmetic effect. (lame :P)

No Death
Another aspect that should be mentioned here is that this genre of games does not include the idea of "death" as other games. The only deaths that are linked to this type of game are exhaustion, vore (being eaten alive) and strangling. Additionally losing all health is considered losing your endurance to move and to defend.

Sex in Video Games

Sex, sexuality, nudity and so forth in video games can create huge issues. It's not like video games didn't have a bad light in the past years, the treating of sexuality by developers in an immature kind of way is still an issue. Then again sexuality itself is a tough topic that is not so easy to talk about and treating sexuality maturely is not as easy as one might think. (I should definitely address this topic as well)

Conclusion

Aside from the RPG genre and few exceptions, this is the first time I actually saw a platform type of game pick up an armor system, so kudos for that, however, it is just weird that this genre of games has involved. Though it could have been predicted if you look at what kind of crazy sexual movies, books or even fanfiction exists. Then again gaming - just like art - is an artistic medium, so as long it complies with the law it's fine.

I know it's weird to read, see or even play such a game genre, especially if your idea of sex is something sacred on a ritual level, yet a game genre is a game genre and the more game genres you know the more you can draw from. As I mentioned before the armor system is very unusual for platformers. Grapples are usually only used in fighting games etc. etc.. Additionally we don't know where the future will lead us, I can only hope it's towards a better future. Oh and last but not least... again freedom of expression, so don't attack creators of these games.

(Great, now this is on the front page... I need to make sure to start writing the next post almost immediately... whelp!)

Game Genre: Metroidvania

Metroidvania what a weird name for a genre. Well, at least if you're not familiar with it as it all makes sense once you understand it.

So We Call It Metroidvania

The name of this genre originated from the  NES game Metroid and the Playstation game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. By taking the name of the first game and the removing the castle part from the latter we get our genre name. Similar to how the name of this genre is created the genre categorizes games.

Features In Metroid

Metroid games are jump 'n' run games that include inspiration from adventure games. They consist of a big interconnected world with abilities and power-ups or upgrades as well as bosses lying around. The abilities, power-ups, and upgrades allow you to progress further in the game and it's not uncommon that you need to backtrack. Additionally, bosses and standard enemies require you to have certain abilities to defeat them easier or at all.

Features In Castlevania

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night has you explore Dracula's castle, a big interconnected world as well. There are items, power-ups, upgrades, and abilities here as well, same with bosses. The upgrades and abilities are required to progress further in the game as well. Backtracking is part of this game as well. So, basically, this version of Castlevania is the same as Metroid... except there's more. Compared to Metroid, Castlevania includes RPG elements, such as stats and leveling.

The Fusion

So, the combination of both, the Metroidvania, is a jump 'n' run adventure game that consists of big interconnected worlds that allow you to semi-freely explore it, but require you to backtrack once you get a new ability to find new paths or secrets that will lead to new abilities. Additionally, several bosses are scattered around that either halt your progress by being in your way or defeating them gives you an item that is required.

Modern Game Example

One of the modern Metroidvanias is Hollow Knight. It was nominated four times and its rating is between 86%-100%, depending on the reviewer. Hollow Knight, like the other two games mentioned here, uses a big interconnected world map with abilities, power-ups, and bosses scattered around. Backtracking is not uncommon in Hollow Knight either and while none of the abilities are required for the bosses they do indeed make it easier. Compared to it's Castlevania counterpart it does not contain RPG elements such as leveling and multiple stats though.

Is Banjo & Tooie a Metroidvania or a Collect-a-thon?

When searching for 3D Metroidvanias (since typically Metroidvanias are 2D games) I came upon a post where people called Banjo & Tooie a 3D Metroidvania. With the earlier post about Collect-a-thons and this post about Metroidvanias, we should be able to answer that question.

Does It Have a Big Connected Map?

Banjo & Tooie has multiple hub worlds that are connected with each other and they are connected to single levels with each having its own theme. These single levels are however partially connected to each other as well. Now it depends on where you draw the line for big interconnected worlds since there is a difference here compared to the other games I've mentioned.

Does It Contain Backtracking?

This question I can definitely answer with a yes.  Something I loved about Banjo & Kazooie was, if you go into a world you can 100% it. This is not the case in Banjo & Tooie. There were collectibles you couldn't reach without having been in another world or having unlocked a certain ability.

Are Abilities Scattered Throughout the World With Different Means?

What I mean by this is... if you can buy some abilities, find some lying around, find some in a chest or get some from a boss then this matches the other Metroidvanias. This is not the case in Banjo & Tooie all abilities are unlocked by buying or using collectibles. Which makes sense for Collect-a-thons.

What's the Primary Objective For Progress?

Metroidvanias primary objective consists of challenging the player having him rise with the challenge and explore the world. Collect-a-thons sole purpose consists of finding and collecting objects and progress is tied to it. Now, of course, you might end up exploring the world in a Collect-a-thon but the purpose is different. You're exploring in hope to find some kind of collectible. In Metroidvanias you explore to find new paths and abilities. In Banjo & Tooie the only way to progress through the game is by getting jigsaw pieces to unlock new levels to get more jigsaw pieces to get more levels until the last boss.

Conclusion

As I mentioned whether or not you consider Banjo & Tooie as a Metroidvania depends on where you draw the line, however going through these questions I personally would say, it is not.

Game Genre: Collect-a-thon

It's been a while since the last post. I'm still researching several big topics for theorycrafting. Since I'm working solo and have a job at the same time and I want to play games as well don't expect it anytime soon.

Anyways I've been playing Hollow Knight for a while now and recently I looked up for 3D Metroidvania games. I found a post where people called Banjo Kazooie a Metroidvania.
I disagree and here's why.

The Collect-a-thon

Collect-a-thons were the top games back in the old days. With titles like Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, Donkey Kong 64 and many more. We even got an attempt of reviving the series with Yooka & Laylee. So let's go into it and analyze these genres and what's typically for them and why people may mistake these.

Collecting Pointless Objects

"Now then, in line with Banjo tradition, your challenge will consist of collecting as many pointless objects as possible" 

~ Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

 Is a collect-a-thon about collecting pointless objects as rare sarcastically states in their 3rd installment of the Banjo-Kazooie series? Well, let's see our examples.

Super Mario 64 Collectibles

In Super Mario 64 we've got five collectibles.

• Yellow coins that increase your coin score and health reaching a score of 100 rewards a star
• Red coins that increase your coin twice score, health twice and collecting all eights gives us a star
• Blue coins that are timed and give five times as much coin score and health.
• Stars that are used to progress through the worlds and levels
• Keys that are used to progress through sections of the game.

Banjo Kazooie Collectibles

In Banjo Kazooie we've got ten collectibles.

• Honeycombs to increase your maximum health
• Red feathers that are used for the flight ability
• Golden feathers that are used for the invincibility ability
• Eggs that are used as ammunition
• Notes the primary currency for abilities and progressing the open world
• Jigsaw pieces/Jiggies the primary currency for unlocking more levels
• Cheato Pages are used to unlock cheats for the game
• Honey to fill up your health
• Jinjo's collecting five of these will give you a jiggy. Each level has them.
• Mumbo Tokens these are required for unlocking transformations at Mumbo

Spyro the Dragon Series Collectibles

In the series of Spyro the Dragon, not counting only the first three, there are 12 collectibles.

• Crystal Statues collectible to progress the first installment of the series
• Diodes collectible to progress the second installment of the series
• Dragon Eggs another collectible required to progress later worlds of the first installment
• Red Gem main signature collectible and currency but also required to progress adds 1
• Green Gem main signature collectible and currency but also required to progress adds 2
• Blue Gem main signature collectible and currency but also required to progress adds 5
• Yellow Gem main signature collectible and currency but also required to progress adds 10
• Purple Gem main signature collectible and currency but also required to progress adds 25
• Orbs a currency to progress the second installment of the series
• Skillpoints can be found, gained and unlocked, increases your health and unlocks lore when all have been collected
• Spirit Particles required to unlock temporal power-ups
• Talismans another currency to progress the second installment of the series

We could go through other games too but I think you already notice something. These collectibles are not useless. There's always something connected to them.

Conclusion

So, collect-a-thons are all about collecting objects. You need to collect objects to progress the game. This is the aspect that makes the game differ from others. At the same time, we see this mechanic used for different purposes. However, there's always a limited amount of the progress-oriented currencies and they cannot be farmed.

Different Purposes

Furthering Access

Future content or levels require you to collect currency. If you don't have enough you can't enter new areas.

Unlocking Abilities

Collecting a currency allows you to learn new moves that either helps you gain more currency or make the game easier.

Improving Status

Similar to abilities but more on the passive side, collectibles may be used to increase your chances of surviving, like health upgrades.

Resource

There may be collectibles used to fill up your resources. These usually aren't limited and can be collected over and over.

Sub-goals
Sub-goals, inception or whatever you want to call these, these collectibles are there for you to do things to get the main collectible that furthers your progress.