Game mode
The ways the hero interacts with the surrounding virtual world and other players. Note that some games support several modes at once.
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Single player. Single-player games designed to be played alone. The plot and mechanics in such games are focused exclusively on one user. Popular examples of games with Single player mode are Cyberpunk 2077 or the Last of Us series.
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Multiplayer. Multiplayer mode, in which players interact with each other via the Internet or a local network. These can be competitive disciplines of "shooters" like Counter Strike 2, football simulators (FIFA series) and much more.
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Co-operative. In the Co-operative mode, several players unite into a squad to play the game together. Unlike Multiplayer, which usually implies competition between players, this mode is aimed specifically at collective gameplay to achieve the set goals.
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Split screen. This means dividing the screen into parts for each player, which is used in fighting games and some racing games. Split screen mode is ideal for playing with friends on the same couch.
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Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO). Massively multiplayer games, where hundreds or even thousands of players are in one virtual world. Such projects contain gigantic game worlds, and it is assumed that you play for year
...s, constantly developing your character and improving your skills.
— Battle Royale. Battle Royale involves up to 100 people who drop onto a large map and fight to the last survivor (or team of survivors). Gameplay often involves looting (collecting weapons and ammunition), as well as a shrinking safe zone. The mode gained popularity thanks to the game PlayerUnknow's Battlegrounds (PUBG).Platform
The platform for which the game is released, in other words, the series of devices for which it is designed.
Different platforms differ in both hardware and the data format in which game information is stored. So modern gaming projects are always released for a specific platform. Note that the same game may be available in several editions - for different platforms. But these versions are not interchangeable: for example, the PC version cannot be launched on PlayStation 5, but the opposite option - launching a console game on a PC - is technically quite possible (using an emulator program). However, this is quite complicated and requires high system power, so this option should only be used in cases where the game does not have a PC version, but you want to play.
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Windows PC. Games designed for Windows computers.
PC games have one important difference from console games (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, etc.): a game released for a certain console will run on any such device, while computers can differ significantly in characteristics and not all of them are able to "pull" a particular game (especially a new and resource-intensive one). So for PC games, you should definitely check the system requirements before buying.
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Linux PC. Games for computers running Linux.
In its "pure" form, relatively few games are released for the Linux system - after all, this platfo
...rm is not a priori a gaming one. However, thanks to technologies like Proton from Steam and various distributions, a wide variety of games can be launched on a Linux PC. As with other PC platforms, computer specifications can vary greatly - before installing, it is important to make sure the title is compatible and the system requirements are met.
— Mac PC. Games designed for Apple computers (Mac).
The Mac PC has a limited list of games compared to Windows, as not all developers adapt their projects directly to the macOS system. However, with Apple's transition to proprietary M-series chips, gaming performance has improved significantly - as a result, there is a potential increase in the number of games for this platform. As with other PCs, it is worth considering the game's system requirements and compatibility with macOS before installing.
— Nintendo Switch. Games for Nintendo Switch — a gaming console released since 2017. First of all, it is notable for its hybrid format of operation: the console can be used both as a portable and as a desktop one. For this purpose, the design includes a main unit with a touch screen, supplemented by a docking station, where the head module is installed when connected to a TV or monitor. The Joy-Con controller has an even more unusual design, consisting of two halves — each with its own analog lever and a set of four buttons, as well as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. These "halves" can be used as gamepads for two people, controllers that respond to movements (like the Wii Remote), they can be installed on the Grip accessory, turning it into a traditional gamepad, or attached to both sides of the main unit. Games for Switch are distributed on special cartridges, as well as through the Nintendo eShop online service; there is no regional lock.
— SteamVR. Virtual reality (VR) games using SteamVR.
SteamVR is Valve's platform for virtual reality games and applications. The platform supports a wide range of VR headsets, including Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, etc. It is important to consider that VR games have high hardware requirements, and before purchasing a game, you should definitely check compatibility with a specific headset and system requirements.
— Android. Various games for mobile devices running the Android operating system.
The vast majority of games for this platform are distributed through the branded Google Play Market application store. This section presents games not specifically for Android, but multi-platform projects that have acquired support for working on Android devices as one of the options in addition to other platforms.
— iOS. Games for Apple mobile devices running the proprietary iOS operating system.
The Apple ecosystem is closed, so games for it are presented exclusively in the App Store. Similar to the point above (see "Android"), iOS support is one of the compatibility options for some multi-platform game projects.
— Xbox 360. Games for the Xbox 360 console family from Microsoft. The original console debuted back in 2005, and its various versions were released until 2017 — the latest model in the line was the Xbox 360 Slim. The main competitor of the family is the PlayStation 3 from Sony.
Many Xbox 360 hits are still available on newer consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) thanks to backward compatibility. However, not all games have received such support. Games for this platform are often distributed on physical media (optical discs). Their digital versions can be downloaded with a purchased license from the Microsoft Store.
— Xbox One. Games for Xbox One — eighth-generation desktop consoles from Microsoft. The original Xbox One was released in the fall of 2013, with updates in 2016 (Xbox One S), 2017 (Xbox One X with VR headset and goggle support), and 2019 (Xbox One S All-Digital — no optical disc drive). The direct competitor of this line is Sony's PlayStation 4.
In fact, the Xbox One is not even a gaming console, but a full-fledged media center: it can work as a media player, as well as as an “intermediary” between the TV set-top box and the screen, providing additional functionality (in particular, recommendations and voice control). The gaming equipment is notable for the updated Xbox 360 gamepad and an improved version of the contactless Kinect controller. Games are distributed both on Blu-ray discs and through the Xbox Games Store online service, while the online storage is supported by the Windows 10 operating system, which allows you to buy games through a PC. Shortly after the release of the original Xbox One, the creators abandoned regional locks and the need for a constant Internet connection. The console is backward compatible with individual Xbox games of earlier generations, but in 2019, the release of such games was discontinued.
— Xbox Series X|S. Games for Microsoft's flagship consoles from the Xbox Series X|S families. This generation of consoles debuted at the end of 2020, alongside their main competitor, the Sony PlayStation 5. In 2024, the lineup received an update, plus a model without a disc drive, the All-Digital Edition, was added to it.
The gaming consoles of the family are aimed at the role of universal media players with many pre-installed streaming services and a Blu Ray drive. For generation X, many console games are available for Xbox 360 and Xbox One in backward compatibility mode.
— Sony PlayStation 4. Games for PlayStation 4 — consoles from the famous company Sony. This family was introduced in 2013 (the original PS4) and expanded in 2016 (Pro and Slim versions, as well as the PlayStation VR virtual reality system). Despite the high computing power, PS4 is promoted exclusively as a gaming device, and not as a media center (unlike its direct competitor from Microsoft — Xbox One). At the same time as the PS4, a new DualShock 4 gamepad was introduced. Game controllers of earlier versions are not supported by the console, although, of course, compatibility with motion-sensitive PS Move controllers has not gone anywhere.
From a software point of view, the key innovation was the abandonment of regional locks: access to the digital library of purchased games and launch them can be done regardless of the player's location and on any PS4. On the other hand, multiplayer has become paid - with a PSN Plus subscription (except for individual games). Backward compatibility with games for earlier PS is not provided.
— Sony PlayStation 5. Games for the new generation of popular gaming consoles from Sony, which were released at the end of 2020. Projects for PS5 provide significantly improved graphics and a higher level of user immersion in the virtual world. Thus, when developing games for this console, emphasis is placed on the deep tactile feedback of the updated DualShock joysticks and highly realistic surround sound (Tempest 3D AudioTech).
PS5 games are released both on UHD Blu-ray optical media and in digital format. To run games from discs, you need a "full" version of the PlayStation 5 console (NOT the Digital Edition modification). Please note that the manufacturer provides the possibility of backward compatibility with PlayStation 4 games, but it is not supported by all projects (more detailed information about compatibility should be clarified immediately before purchase).Release date
The year of the official release of the game, when the project becomes available to all users. In fact, the game can be released earlier than the specified date, but with limited access in alpha and beta testing mode or in early access (when the game is not yet completed, but can already be purchased).
