Games that feel completely different depending on the play style

There are games that are quite strict when it comes to playing styles. You can only complete them by playing a specific way, and the path to an ending, if there is one, feels pretty linear. That's usually the case with many action-adventure titles that don't introduce any mechanics. On the other side of the spectrum you have sandboxes and more flexible games of all kinds, where two people will have a completely different experience going through the game.

Personally, I think the latter category is a bit more interesting to talk about. It's kind of smart to share the gaming experience of these games with friends, only to realize that they did something in a completely different way. You could argue that you also get more bang for your buck with titles like these, as you can approach them in a handful of ways.

The Sims 4

Play a healthy family or remove the pool steps

Considering it's the ultimate life simulator, it's no surprise to find The Sims 4 here. It's one of those games that doesn't give you a precise, clear goal, and there's no pressure to do everything “right,” because there's no right way. A perfectionist might spend all their time making sure everyone's needs are always green, and a family's legacy continues for years, while someone more chaotic might build basements full of painter slaves led by a cult leader named Jim Pickens (if you know, you know).

But it gets deeper, anyway. There are players who almost never see Live Mode, who do most of their gaming in CAS. They can have tons of custom content to play with and are perfectly content to just create nice looking Sims to put in the Gallery. You also have your builders, the Simmers who rarely see either CAS or Live Mode, instead enjoying the game for its incredibly robust construction sandbox.

RimWorld

A Chill Colony Sim, Or A Descent To Madness

There are a few reasons why RimWorld has become so great: the freedom, the variety of game options and styles, and graphics that aren't demanding. Regardless of your gaming background, you'll find some degree of enjoyment in this charming colony sim. It is technically possible to reach an end in RimWorldand while there are players who do, there are also many who never reach them, either by choice or by mistake.

The tone of the game is the biggest difference between playstyles. RimWorld can be incredibly chill and useful, and almost Sims-like. It can also be downright crazy, with slaves and cannibals thrown into the mix. If this sounds a lot like something you've seen in the wildest Sims playthroughs, you'll understand why RimWorld has earned its place on this list. No two playthroughs will ever look the same, especially between different players.

Project Zomboid

A grueling zombie survival story, or lonely sims

Recently I jumped in Project Zomboid after years of seeing the game for its retro charm The Sims art style, and I was amazed at the variety of playstyles the game supports. You can tailor a playthrough's settings to your liking, even going so far as to decide what kind of zombies you want in your world, if you want them at all. That's right: you can completely remove the zombies and just wander a quiet, silent world and explore.

Or you can be like me and decide to jump into a super cool and simple version of a zombie apocalypse to practice first, with cute pets to take care of. The zombies are slow, can barely hear or see you, and you have a fighting chance. It's been a surprisingly relaxing experience that borders more on a looter for me. On the other hand, you have some incredible players who commit Zomboids Hardcore side: one bite and you're done, game over for your character. Zombies are incredibly smart; they see you from across the neighborhood, and there are tons of them everywhere. Overall, the customization is what makes it such a great game that will appeal to players from all walks of life.

Change

Using alien powers will have a big impact on the game

Of course, I had to mention an immersive sim when discussing different gameplay styles, and while they're a bit more limited than sandbox survival, for example, or simulators, they're a genre that's growing thanks to the freedom and creativity they give players. Change is one of the coolest examples of gameplay that directly affects your experience, as if you choose to use a bunch of Neuromods to unlock alien powers in the game, the space station's security will turn on you.

And, as you might expect, the other human survivors will turn hostile towards you if they see you using your new alien powers. Aside from alien powers, a bunch of choices you make throughout the game also affect the tone of your ending, so the quests you complete, people you help, and so on are quietly tracked in the background.

Fallout: New Vegas

Your choices, stats, and skills affect everything

RPGs are a classic example of gameplay styles that change how the game feels, and I can't think of a better example than Fallout: New Vegas. It really turned up the RPG aspect of it Fall-out franchise at 200%, with small details like really low stats in some attributes that affect dialogue choices and how NPCs react to you. Some skills also open up dialogue and mission choices that would otherwise be locked.

For example, being able to fix something or persuade someone will give you some extra content. And of course, your stance with the factions, who you side with—all of these are layers in an onion of choices, actions, and consequences that make New Vegasin my humble opinion, one of the most RPGs (if that makes sense). A goodie-two-shoe Lucy MacLean might end the game in pacifist style, while another player can solve everything just by pulling out their gun, and that makes it easy.

Undertale

Your actions have surprisingly profound effects

Speaking of pacifist and genocidal tendencies, we have Undertale. Next New Vegasit's a very different game, a very quirky and inventive indie RPG that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and delivery. How you resolve and handle various encounters in Undertale, without the game ever explaining to you that you even have the option of choosing a specific path, will greatly affect the ultimate ending you will receive.

You can spare everyone (yes, everyone!) and complete the game, or you can choose to kill absolutely every character in your path. The tone of each playthrough is startlingly different the further you go into it, and the genocidal path will even carry over to subsequent playthroughs if it's your first choice. In all honesty, it was a game way ahead of its time, and definitely a conversation starter among friends when comparing playthroughs, even years after release.

Baldur's Gate 3

Kill hobos or kill no one, and everything in between

Still in the realm of RPGs, is a game that does a good job with different playstyles Baldur's Gate 3. As New Vegasit's a bit like an onion, with multiple layers to what affects a single run. It all starts in character creation. You can be Dark Urge, and either give in or embrace your nature, or you can choose to go through the game as one of the pre-made characters as well, which I personally recommend you try at least once. Even the way you resolve fights, from running the most broken, overpowered Honor Mode-ready builds to classic and timeless Barrelmancy, adds plenty of flavor to each unique run.

Even if you go the original Tav route, your class, background, race, and in-game choices will greatly limit what and how much you can do. It almost feels like a sandbox at times. For example, a simple act like not killing Minthara in Act 1 will give you a chance to have her as a companion in Act 2. Your companions will also have choices to make, and as the protagonist you can help them choose depending on how much they approve of you. You can turn Shadowheart on a dark path and take advantage of Shar's powers in the final fight. Or you can say “screw Wyll” and romance Mizora despite the unfair deal she's given him. If you can think it, you probably can, and like a true TTRPG, each will have their own signature style and unique story to tell afterwards.

Fire Ring

Become a Master Of The Bonk, or a Glintstone connoisseur

Fire Ringunlike New Vegas and Baldur's Gate 3is not big on choices. Sure, there are some quests you can do, and depending on how they're solved you can unlock alternate endings, but the game doesn't telegraph this to you. The reason I featured the Fire Ring here is not because of the story, but rather because of the construction. It's a game where, depending on the type of weapon and stat choices you make, you'll have a drastically different experience going through its dungeons and boss fights.

The classic divide is between melee and magical characters. One can deal devastating damage beforehand and even apply some powerful conditions like Bleed to enemies. The other prefers to fight from afar and often needs to be on top of their duck game, as they are a bit more of a glass cannon than their melee counterparts. There are also Ashes of War and Summons that spice up the game further, so it's basically build heaven for anyone who's more into it over story choices.

No Man's Sky

Explorer, Survivor, Builder

Earlier I mentioned the customization as Project Zomboid gives, and I want to come back to that No Man's Skybecause it's another game that gives a lot of freedom in that regard. This is the ultimate space sandbox game. It doesn't set goals, and you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want, from gathering resources to exploring or flying to another star system.

You can go as hard as you want, with permadeath as an option, or you can jump into creativity and just build these huge, complex space outposts without worrying about survivability and the costs. I could also have mentioned Minecraft here, because it's essentially the same mindset. Everyone's No Man's Sky will be very different. Some might be happy just taming adorable alien pets, while others might take to the stars and raid freighters.