Portugal is no different from the rest of the world in this day and age; gaming has taken over and spread throughout the country.
Over the years, and due to the releases of some of the biggest games the world has ever seen, a few genres have begun to stand out.
Whether it be the intense games of a battle royale such as Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, or the adventure of Viking games such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Portugal loves it all.
First-person shooters
First-person shooters have been popular across the globe for years, and it’s no different in Portugal. Games such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Escape from Tarkov have been popular since their release and are still played daily by hundreds of thousands of people.
Battle royales
Battle royales are arguably the most popular gaming genre in the world right now. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Fortnite have taken over gaming, and millions of players from around the world log in every day to play.
Battle royales are also so popular due to the social aspect. You can play with or against friends, meet new people, and have a good time in the process; they are a way to connect people from all around the world.
Action/Adventure
Action and adventure games are another genre that has been popular for a couple of decades now. They are almost always story-driven and offer a mix of fighting, puzzle-solving, and discovery. Titles such as God of War Ragnarök and Red Dead Redemption 2 have been two of the biggest in recent years.
Sports
Sports games may not be as big as they once were, but across Europe there is still one, at least, that has stood the test of time. FIFA has been the go-to sports game for multiple years, and considering how big football is in Portugal, it’s no surprise that FIFA is a favorite amongst Portuguese gamers.
Strategy
Strategy games have remained relatively popular for quite a while now. Not only do they test your own brainpower and game knowledge, but many enable you to play against other players. The best example is Age of Empires, where online tournaments have become increasingly popular across Europe.
Puzzles
As well as virtual reality and action and adventure, there is always high demand for mind games and puzzles, especially those that can be done online or from anywhere. Doing a crossword is a brilliant way to unwind and relax after a busy day, or it can wake you up before you head off for a busy day at work. Mathematical puzzles and word puzzles are an extremely popular genre and have shown to stand the test of time across numerous different parts of the world. Puzzles are also suitable for all ages from youngsters at school, to the older generation you may be retired. They’re also extremely accessible and can be done online or the old fashioned way on paper!
City-builders
Much like strategy games, city-builders aren’t the biggest games in the world, but they have a large core audience that logs on every single day. Cities: Skylines revolutionized the genre, enabling players to control every single aspect of their city, and adding a level of interaction we haven’t seen before in the genre.
MMORPG
Massive multiplayer online roleplayers (MMORPGs) might sound like a mouthful, but they are still one of the most popular gaming genres in Portugal and the world. World of Warcraft, in particular, has had a massive player base for years now.
These games are also ever-evolving; World of Warcraft is almost two decades old and is still releasing new content regularly, which is drawing old and new players alike back to the game over and over again, a feat that some of the biggest games in the world struggle to achieve.
MOBA
League of Legends and Dota are the two most famous and most played MOBAs. Two teams are pitted against each other in a game that requires skill, reflexes, and creative thinking. While these games can be challenging, they are incredibly popular and also host some of the biggest gaming tournaments in the world.
Role-playing games
The role-playing genre is particularly popular and beloved by gamers due to the fact that you can create your own character and story, in a way. You can decide which path to take, how you want to play, and how you want the game to end.
RPG series such as The Witcher and The Elder Scrolls are seemingly never-ending, too, enabling players to continue playing long after the main story is finished.
Virtual reality
Virtual reality games are still fairly small in comparison with other genres, but they’re picking up steam thanks to VR headsets becoming more and more affordable. Players from around the world are taking the leap into VR, and game designers are responding too.
While something like the metaverse isn’t as big as Meta hoped, it shows that we are moving towards a more VR-based gaming world, and it could easily become the most-played genre in the coming years.
