Boss Rush Banter: What Gaming Genre is Your Palette Cleanser?

Role-playing game is my favorite genre, but sometimes, I just need a break.

RPGs are notorious for their long runtimes and in-depth stories, gameplay, and other elements. I love losing myself in these games, but once the game comes to an end, I often need to play something different enough for a bit to get ready for my next adventure.

I call these games “palette cleansers” because they allow me to mix up my gaming habits for a bit before I come back to the main course.

If you love steak, you won’t want to eat it every day. You’ll likely want to add in different meals in there and have dishes different enough from steak that it’ll keep your favorite food fresh instead of getting burnout.

The same can be said for gaming. So which genre is your palette cleanser?

Platformers are my main palette cleanser. I choose this one because it’s different enough from the sprawling RPGs I like to play.

When selecting a palette cleanser, I need a genre that’s different enough from my favorite. This means action-adventure titles are off the table. I love this genre too, but they have enough similarities with RPGs that they don’t cleanse the taste buds.

This is where platformers jump in. Whether it’s a Mario game, both 3D and 2D, or hybrid titles like Ratchet and Clank, these options offer a fresh approach, for me, so I can properly gear up for my next RPG adventure.

**Image Credit:** Nintendo (via Mashable)

I just finished Final Fantasy XVI and am still chugging away at Tears of the Kingdom. Once the credits rolled on FFXVI, I found myself drawn back to my unfinished playthrough of Ratchet and Clank (2015).

This platform-shooter provides the refresh I’ve needed as I look at Tales of Arise or Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as my next big RPG adventure. This approach helps me burn through my backlog easier because I’m playing a mix of games. Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse did the same thing for me earlier this year after I finished Golden Sun.

Platformers were the first games I played as a kid so returning to them feels like coming home. I think that’s why they help as palette cleansers.

There are so many genres that fit this. I know many who use farming and life sims as a way to slow down from it all while others play a big RPG or action-adventure game in between a slew of indie or platforming titles. The options are endless.

So what about you? Which genre is your palette cleanser? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.

Featured Image: Insomniac Games

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