Procedurally Generated Games That Provide Unique Experiences
It is usual for players to look for personalized experiences when choosing a new video game to play, and one of the most common ways to achieve that is through procedurally generated titles. Whether through the game world creation or the items you get in a survival game, this aspect makes your experience unique every time you play.
Procedurally generated elements and events can go from the environment in a city management game to the type of creature you find in a determined alien planet of a game. Since they can be randomly generated in the game’s world, each experience becomes different from the previous one, making the title much more replayable.
If you’re looking for this kind of video game to play, this article is for you. We will cover the main titles featuring procedurally generated maps and other elements for a unique playthrough.
We will also cover different genres and platforms to ensure you find the perfect game. But before that, it is essential to understand a basic concept:
Procedurally Generated Games That Provide Unique Experiences
What Are Procedurally Generated Games
Procedural generation is the creation of data automatically through the computer. In video games, this mechanic can be used for numerous objectives, whether to create a procedurally generated world where every plant and animal is random or create different NPCs without manually designing them.
In procedurally generated games, this happens mainly in the world design, dialogues, 3D objects, and other aspects. But the use of procedural generation goes far beyond just games. It is also highly used in the movies and animation industry to automate these processes and generate animated scenes much faster.
It is not new, and video games use it all the time for all genres and platforms. The main advantage of using procedural content is that each gameplay is unique, increasing the replayability of the titles thanks to the random factor.
Best Games That Use Procedural Generation
Now that you know what procedurally generated games are and what makes them special, it is time to see some of the best video game titles that use this mechanic.
We will cover different platforms and genres to ensure you find the perfect title.
Make sure to take a look to find out what will be your next adventure. Here are the main games that use this feature:
Minecraft
Release Date: November, 2011
Developer: Mojang
Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS
We all know that Minecraft works with a random seed system, making it practically impossible for a player to create a world on the same map twice. Thanks to procedurally generated processes, the game can create unique worlds for you and your friends whenever you create a new map.
Along with the environment and the distance between the player and the End portal, the player can also experience randomly generated dungeons where there are different items to loot and enemies to defeat every time.
In Minecraft, you can either play the survival mode, where you must gather resources and all the equipment you need to kill the Ender Dragon, or enjoy the creative mode and build all sorts of constructions. It is the perfect game for those looking for a chilling experience that feels fresh every time you open the game.
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No Man’s Sky
Release Date: August, 2016
Developer: Hello Games
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
No Man’s Sky is another clear proof that procedurally generated worlds can work perfectly in video game development. Thanks to this feature, the game can generate 18 quintillion planet variations, according to the game devs.
The game had a complicated beginning, but with the passing of years, it became a reference for all exploration games, like Journey to the Savage Planet. Even though it was released more than five years ago, it is still constantly updated and has full support for the new generation of consoles.
In the game, you control an astronaut trapped in an unknown planet and must gather resources to fix your spaceship and return home. The game doesn’t have an actual ending, so you can explore and upgrade your character as much as you want.
Along with gathering resources, the game presents numerous other mechanics, like spaceship customization and even planets dedicated to exchanging items with other players.
Each planet you visit is a new surprise, so good luck trying to visit the same world twice. It is definitely a must-play for those looking for a procedurally generated survival game with good exploration.
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Deep Rock Galactic
Release Date: February, 2018
Developer: Ghost Ship Games
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows
If you’re looking for something to play with your friends, there you have it. Deep Rock Galactic allows you to play with up to four players in the chaos-driven maps of the title.
DRG is an FPS full of blood and aliens where your main objective is to reach the final destination, no matter what. There is no defined path to follow, and almost everything in the terrain is destroyable, so you can get creative and use this in your favor.
Every cave is randomly generated, so you can discover new ways of accomplishing your mission every time you play, making everything feel fresh. Deep Rock Galactic also features a vast arsenal of weapons at your disposal, going from shotguns to rocket launchers.
It is the perfect game for players looking for pure chaos while having fun with friends. All of that together makes this one of the best FPS titles of the last few years.
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Dwarf Fortress
Release Date: August, 2006
Developer: Bay 12 Games
Platforms: Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows
It is no surprise for anyone that Dwarf Fortress has a procedurally generated world for each player who starts a new game. From the place where you spawn to the items that appear in each chest, everything is randomized and will depend on how lucky you are.
Dwarf Fortress also has a content richness not often seen in other games of its genre. The game launched over a decade ago and still receives total support from its devs, whether correcting bugs or adding new features to the title. The volume of content is one of the reasons why many players feel afraid to start playing it.
We won’t lie. It can be a challenging title to start, and there are several mechanics the player needs to understand, but once you learn the basics, it is a game that you won’t want to stop playing.
In Dwarf Fortress, you can explore an enormous map and gather resources to build new tools and structures to help you reach new places. More than just building, you’ll also have to exercise your management skills to ensure everything runs as expected.
Although combat is not the game's main focus, you’ll definitely find some obstacles along the way. Make sure to have the proper equipment to fight them. Don’t miss out on this incredible procedurally generated title that features construction and management game mechanics.
Valheim
Release Date: February, 2021
Developer: Iron Gate Studio
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series XS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux
If you like exploring Norse mythology, you must have Valheim in your library. The survival title uses procedural generation to create incredible maps to explore and set your constructions.
Not only that, but all animations and art styles are top-of-the-line, which makes the experience even better. All of that, combined with quality combat and management mechanics, creates the perfect title to enjoy alone or with your friends.
The best part is that although the game has incredible graphics and a high content volume, its files occupy only 1GB of your storage space. This makes it the perfect choice for players running short on their HDD or SSD.
Every time you start the game, a new map is generated. This means that you’ll never get the same environment pattern, and you’ll need to adapt your survival strategies every playthrough.
Along with the biomes, the items and resources are also random, so don’t expect to find the same items every run. This makes it more challenging to survive, so make sure to think before any action.
If you like this kind of survival game, Valheim is a great choice for you. Grab your resources and start creating your base.
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Don’t Starve
Release Date: April, 2013
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows
Don’t Starve is the perfect mix between roguelike and survival, all of that mixed with a unique art style that anyone instantly recognizes. If you are also after a good story with mysteries to solve, the game also has it.
In Don’t Starve, you are thrown off in this mysterious world where you can’t see anyone but the game’s antagonist. Starving and weak, you must collect materials and resources to survive and try to escape this place.
The story of the game is developed not only in the game but through complementary materials, such as videos and special animations. If you want to fully understand the world of Don’t Starve, prepare for extensive homework.
The title is a must-play for roguelike fans. If you like challenging games with unique art styles, this one has everything you want. There is also a version of the game called Don’t Starve Together, where you can play with a friend and enjoy the fun together.
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Time to Choose Your Next Game
There is no doubt that procedural generation can bring numerous benefits to a game and create unique experiences, whether through map creation or any other aspect. From survival titles to exploration and strategy games, having these randomizers and automated processes can create unique experiences every time you open a game.
This not only makes them more fun and unpredictable but also increases replayability. If you play a game that has procedurally generated assets, you know that you will have fun for numerous hours.
Now it’s time to choose the next title you’ll add to your library. These and many other games are available at RoyalCDKeys for a considerably lower price. This way, you get to play all the games you want and still save money.