Many people are trying to make original and fun games that other people will play and enjoy, and hopefully be inspired by. But now, it is quite hard to think of truely original ideas, something that will make your game different, and stand out from the rest. In this article I am going to talk about what I call hybrid games. These are games which combine elements from 2 diferent genres to create a new and fresh style of game.
An good example of a hybrid game is called Ax Battler (I think), for the Sega Game Gear. The unique thing about this game was how it combined RPG style exploring sections with beat 'em up fight sections, and platform style dungeons. You travelled around the world on your quest, just like any other rpg, but when it came to random battles, you were thrown into a fighting section loosely in the style of Street Fighter. This style was also used for the platform like dungeon levels, were you had to take on armies of skeletons and demons to reach your prize at the end. The beauty of this system was how all the elements were interweaved. On arrival at ceratin towns, you could learn new skills at the dojo to increase the amount of fighting abilities you had in the combat levels. It was a fresh and different type of game.

This sort of thing, if made in a click product, would receive rave reviews for originality. Many click games already have. Even Eternal Daughter is a hybrid platform-RPG, which may be why it is so successful. Another innovative hybrid game by Blackeye Software is Snow brawl, mixing fort-building strategy sections and snowball throwing action sections, using your newly built fort to your advantage.
If you want to include hybrid elements in your game, first, pick two different genres of game that could combine well. It could be a side scrolling shoot em up with strategy elements, or maybe a beat em up with RPG levelling-up. Try to think of something that hasn't been done before, or done often. You must also make sure the elements integrate with each other.Each section should affect the other, rather than having some levels of one genre and some of another, you could make a shoot em up where you have to manage an army of spacecraft. Blending the two elements together is what gives the game originality.
I hope this tutorial has given you ideas for your projects. Happy gaming!

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