History FormulaWithATwist / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/DeadCells'' is a Metroidvania game combined with a RougeLike and a SoulsLikeRPG (whew!). Like HS, it helped popularize the idea of a "Rougevania", though it wasn't first out of the gate.

* ''Videogame/EarthBound1994'' was created at the time that fantasy-based [=RPGs=] were taking off in popularity in Japan. However, its creator wanted to differentiate from the rest by setting its plot in a modern-ish world instead of the stock fantasy one. He also added a lot of self-referential humor and deconstructions for good measure. This, in turn, gave rise to a lot of imitators, including ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}''.

* The ''Xeno'' series[[note]]Which includes the ''Videogame/{{Xenogears}}'', ''Videogame/{{Xenosaga}}'' and ''Videogame/XenobladeChronicles1'' sub-series[[/note]] are notable for combining traditional EasternRPG mechanics with an epic SpaceOpera that focuses on using HumongousMecha in combat.

* ''Videogame/{{Earthbound}}'' was created at the time that fantasy-based [=RPGs=] were taking off in popularity in Japan. However, its creator wanted to differentiate from the rest by setting its plot in a modern-ish world instead of the stock fantasy one. He also added a lot of self-referential humor and deconstructions for good measure. This, in turn, gave rise to a lot of imitators, including ''Videogame/{{Undertale}}''.

* ''Videogame/{{Metroid}}'' distinguished itself from RunAndGun and {{Platform Game}}s by requiring the player to backtrack through various parts of a massive maze, as well as attempting to locate the many secret items and passageways that allow them to progress.

* ''Franchise/MegamiTensei'' chose to differentiate itself from its EasternRPG contemporaries by having the story take place in a [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]] world filled with RuinsOfTheModernAge, as well as with heavy religious themes from Christianity, Buddhism and so forth, usually with a plot centered on reincarnation or rebirth, as well as a MultipleChoiceEnding which determines if the player sides with [[OrderVersusChaos Order or Chaos]] (or [[TakeAThirdOption neither]], since it's common OrderAndChaosAreBothJerks), and decide what sort of world will exist from then on.

* The ''Xeno'' series[[note]]Which includes the ''Videogame/{{Xenogears}}'', ''Videogame/{{Xenosaga}}'' and ''Videogame/{{Xenoblade}}'' sub-series[[/note]] are notable for combining traditional EasternRPG mechanics with an epic SpaceOpera that focuses on using HumongousMecha in combat.

* ''Videogame/MegaMan'' was instantly memorable for allowing the player to complete its stages in any order, albeit some levels are harder than others. In addition, the titular character can [[VictorGainsLosersPowers absorb the powers]] of the bosses he defeats and use them to either make the other levels or bosses easier.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' is a role playing game with the basic twist of allowing player the opportunity to recruit any RandomEncounter monster into their party. Due to this, the entire game world is balanced around the idea of every party member potentially being an enemy and vice versa, so individual enemies don't have greatly inflated stats compared to yours, and battles are mostly one on one instead of fielding the entire team at once.

* ''Videogame/MortalKombat'' created a hyper-violent fighting game in which the appeal was to watch the characters maim and humiliate each other in intensely gory fastion.

* ''Videogame/Anthem2019'', according to behind-the-scenes information leaked to the public, was original designed by Creator/{{Bioware}} as a new IP but one in which they had no idea what to settle on a selling point. Initially, they attempted to distance the game as being compared with previous Looter Shooter games such as ''Videogame/{{Destiny}}'', but said comparisons became inevitable as the project crystallized. Further, the team hastily created footage of the concept and threw as many ideas in as possible, including the ability of {{Flight}}, although they weren't sure they would keep the idea. Eventually, ExecutiveMeddling forced the flight to be added permanently as the game's main selling point, and it later essentially became to be known as "The Looter Shooter where you can fly".

* The ''Xeno'' series[[note]]''Which includes the Videogame/{{Xenogears}}'', ''Videogame/{{Xenosaga}}'' and ''Videogame/{{Xenoblade}}'' sub-series[[/note]] are notable for combining traditional EasternRPG mechanics with an epic SpaceOpera that focues on using HumongousMecha in combat.

* ''Videogame/CadillacsAndDinosaurs'' was created to cash in on two trends: the popularity BeatEmUp games and the popularity of ''Film/JurassicPark''. As such, it adapted an obscure post-apocalyptic comic book about a group of adventures in a land of dinosaurs into a unique game.

* ''Videogame/{{SOMA}}'' has similar SanityMeter effects as Creator/FtictionalGames's previous titles, ''Videogame/{{Penumbra}}'' and ''Videogame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent'', but in this game, the system is contextual and the exact method and result of losing sanity depends on the enemies, environment, etc. In addition, the game is set underwater and thus numerous sections have unique mechanics while submerged.

* ''Videogame/{{Fortnite}}'': Though it started as a standard Surival/Zombie Horde Mode game, ''Fortnite'' later introduced a Battle Royale mode to cash in on the success of ''Videogame/PlayerUnknownsBattlegrounds''. It then vastly overtook its predecessor in popularity, thanks to its unique aesthetic, building mechanics and other wacky features that helped give it a unique identity, becoming the BattleRoyaleGame that defined the others.

* ''Videogame/GranTurismo'' was as much a "car simulation game" as it was a racer. In addition to the cutting-edge graphics that made the cars and environments look stunningly realistic (for its time), it took great attention to detail to realistically portray the way cars would handle, forcing the player to carefully which of the various components and modifications to apply to win the actual races.

* ''Videogame/{{Castlevania}}'' pitted the player against iconic Franchise/UniversalHorror and Franchise/HammerHorror enemies and bosses, armed with a whip and other demon-slaying weapons.

* ''Videogame/BloodyRoar'' is a 3-D fighting game in which the players can turn into an animal. That's pretty much it.

* ''Videogame/{{Castlevania}}'' pitted the player against iconic UniversalHorror and HammerHorror enemies and bosses, armed with a whip and other demon-slaying weapons.

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' differentiated itself from ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and its numerous clones by focusing on speed and cool/unique ways of moving through levels instead of precision platform jumping. This take on the formula has had Sonic retroactively considered the first "{{Parkour}}" game.

* ''Videogame/SanFranciscoRush'' was as much a "car simulation game" as it was a racer. In addition to the cutting-edge graphics that made the cars and environments look stunningly realistic (for its time), it took great attention to detail to realistically portray the way cars would handle, forcing the player to carefully which of the various components and modifications to apply to win the actual races.