We wish there were more true run and gun games around, and we're not the only ones.
If you’re anything like us, it can feel like every game in existence has to have some kind of massive open world, regardless of whether or not that game calls for something like that. True run-and-gun games are really hard to come by these days, but we do wish there were more.
The shoot ‘em-up genre is a classic style of game that saw its prime in the arcade generation. In the decades since, however, it has really died out. We’re not the only ones who notice this; you may have noticed that we made an arcade games list, which is dedicated solely to classic arcade games. While there are a few arcade action games that have managed to stick around, others have faded into obscurity.
So, why this genre has died out isn’t that much of a mystery. At times, it can feel like 3D platformers themselves are dying out, but what really died off is the collectathon subgenre. There are tons of incredible point-and-click games with great stories and creative puzzles, but those kinds of games are mostly of a bygone era.
Why rail shooters are rarely made anymore
There are a few genres that have just completely died off, and the rail shooter is definitely one of them. The reason why isn’t much of a mystery. In fact, at times, it can feel like most arcade games themselves are dying out, but this genre is one that really is lacking in new releases.
If most people were honest, they’d probably admit that they’d rather have a character talking than them having to read text. Sure, a little bit of the story can be done through cutscenes, but most of it will have to be text-based. This is why the adventure genre still exists, which is why games like YS: Memories of Celceta, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Dragon Age II have such large narratives. If a game wants to have a large story, it’s much better to have a character tell it to the player.
For a long time, RPGs really tried to emulate the experience of playing classic tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, and that’s what led to the creation of the first-person party-based-RPG. We’re not going to try and act like this genre doesn’t still exist; it absolutely does, but it’s not quite what it used to be.
If you want a more in-depth breakdown, be sure to check out our what is a party-based RPG guide, as it explains why this genre has changed so much over the years, and why it’s still around today.
Why there’s so little arcade sports
There is absolutely no shortage of sports games. If you count all of the major sports, each one receives a yearly release, but arcade action really has taken a back seat. There are the odd unique beat ‘em-up that comes out on rare occasions, but most that come out are remasters or continuations of classic series that receive little attention.
There’s no doubt that arcade sports games have died out, in part because of the rise of esports. This has led to major sports games taking a much more serious tone, and has helped them to become more competitive. In addition to all of that, most sports fans have a favourite team that they follow, and they’d rather play as their favourite athletes than as some made-up characters.
Why there’s so little arcade racing
When it comes to arcade racing games, it’s hard to find a game that offers the same experience as the classics.
