10 Video Game Genre Flips That Blew Our MIND

It’s quite difficult to nail down what genre The Stanley Parable belongs to in the first place, before it bafflingly shifts into different lanes. It starts life as a witty walking sim with sly commentary on the illusion of choice in video games, deliciously delivered by its narrator, Kevan Brighting (give this man more work already!).

The plot begins with Stanley at work, suddenly finding himself in an abandoned office. He attempts to navigate his way out, but the task quickly becomes more difficult than expected. Looping puzzles grow stranger, endless branching narratives hound the protagonist, and leaving most gamers questioning whether choice exists at all - and, for that matter, whether the narrator is even an ally.

Later expanded into the Ultra Deluxe Edition, the narrator and Stanley venture even further left field, with players exploring surreal scenarios like endless holes and bizarre alternate realities. Strangely enough, it all works, thanks to the narrative device keeping the player’s feet on the ground throughout.

Still to this day, it's a one-of-a-kind experience due to its unpredictable, clever nature, and there's a fantastic PC VR mod out there that needs a play too.