Developers Venturing Into New Genres in 2025

Summary

• Several developers are branching out to tackle new genres in 2025.
• Fans are excited but understandably may have mixed feelings about these studios taking on new styles and challenges.
• Studios like Krafton may face challenges moving into different genres—like life simulation in the form of InZOI.

Given how expensive and risky video game development is, it’s easy to see why most developers prefer sticking to what works instead of trying to branch out to different genres. Some fans are okay with this reality, while others don’t appreciate the idea of game development being so uninspired.

Some developers should be lauded for being inspired enough to tackle different genres with each release. In 2025, numerous developers will step outside their comfort zones to let players enjoy unique experiences.

8

Heart Machine

Hyper Light Breaker Is A Huge Departure From Their Previous Ventures

• New Genre in 2025: Roguelike

Hyper Light Drifter is an atmospheric Zelda-esque game with a focus on environmental storytelling, ingenious puzzles, and tough yet rewarding combat. After this title blew up, Heart Machine released Solar Ash, a title where platforming was the core gameplay loop.

To see this studio branch out into a different genre is great in 2025, even if Hyper Light Breaker‘s Early Access release hasn’t wowed fans yet. Hopefully, this title will receive enough updates for the 1.0 release to finally live up to expectations.

7

Naughty Dog

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Is The Company’s First Foray Into The Sci-fi Genre

• New Genre in 2025: Sci-fi

While it’s not confirmed that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will be released in 2025, the reveal trailer makes it clear that Naughty Dog has been hard at work on this title. So, a late 2025 release is not completely off the charts.

After Uncharted and The Last of Us, fans are impressed to see that Naughty Dog is venturing out of its comfort zone and tackling the sci-fi genre. With the trailer featuring a focus on melee combat, it seems that the studio will do everything in its power to wow fans with the release of this highly anticipated title.

6

FromSoftware

Elden Ring Nightreign Is A Co-op Action RPG With Procedural Generation, A Roguelike Structure, And Fixed Classes

• New Genre in 2025: Roguelike

People had mixed opinions about Elden Ring Nightreign, regardless of how promising the gameplay looked. It simply didn’t feel like a FromSoftware release, with players being encouraged to choose from one of several pre-built classes and teaming up with players to take on various bosses in a world that shrinks over time.

Elements of the roguelike genre are rife in this title, and fans can’t wait to see whether Nightreign does justice to the setting of Elden Ring. Given FromSoftware’s track record, most people are hopeful that this game will give them a reason to explore The Lands Between once again.

5

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Majima’s Newest Adventure Features Ship Combat, A First For The Company

• New Genre in 2025: Action (in the form of ship combat)

Given how Skull & Bones disappointed many fans, it’s easy to see why the previews of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii have been so promising. Players love the idea of controlling an amnesiac Majima as he forms a crew and explores the high seas as a pirate.

The ship combat is a first for RGG Studio, with players loving how cinematic and wacky it looks. Hopefully, it’ll be an excellent addition to the gameplay along with the promising real-time combat that boasts a ton of aerial moves.

4

Yuke’s

A Company Known For Wrestling Games Is Developing The Newest Beat-’em-up Entry In The Double Dragon Series

• New Genre in 2025: Beat-’em-up

Yuke’s was known as the previous developer of the WWE 2K games for the longest time before it switched hands. They were contracted to developer AEW: Fight Forever, which boasted a ton of promise but ended up faltering because of a lack of game modes and glitchy gameplay.

The fact that this developer is now going to make a new Double Dragon game surprised many fans. The fighting and beat-’em-up genres may have several similarities, but Yuke’s will still have their work cut out for them if they want to be accepted by hardcore wrestling fans.

3

Playground Games

It’s Weird That The Forza Horizon Developers Are The Ones Developing A Fable Reboot

Forza Horizon is revered by many as one of the best open-world simcade racing games players can get their hands on. The vast open worlds and engaging gameplay are both things players can’t get enough of.

So, it’s odd that this developer has been chosen to create the Fable reboot, which is a huge genre shift for the studio. Hopefully, Playground Games won’t buckle under the weight of these expectations and let players enjoy a return to form for this beloved fantasy RPG series.

2

Krafton

This Company Has A Wild Track Record And Is Currently Poised To Release inZOI

• New Genre in 2025: Life simulation

Krafton is one of the wildest video game companies around, publishing everything from survival horror experiences like The Callisto Protocol to battle royales like PUBG Mobile. Right now, the company is making waves with its latest offering, inZOI.

With The Sims 4 disappointing fans time and time again, inZOI is poised to become one of the biggest sensations in the life simulation genre if everything pans out. The game looks beautiful and the character creator is impressive, but things will fall flat if the gameplay lacks the charm and addictiveness one expects from such a title.

1

The Chinese Room

A Horror Game Developer Has The Tall Task Of Developing The Sequel To Bloodlines

The Chinese Room has developed several amazing horror games that fans love, such as Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and Still Wakes the Deep. They’ve never developed an RPG before, which is why it’s puzzling that Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 is being handled by this developer.

The lack of expertise is probably why the game has been delayed numerous times, but fans don’t mind this wait as long as they finally get their hands on this hotly anticipated sequel. Hopefully, it’ll serve as a worthy continuation of the first game and let fans enjoy a stellar experience.