Ever heard of the Aesthetics of Play? It's a categorization of video games not based on what you do (platformer, FPS) but on the experience you're looking for in the game. The interactive element of video games allow for these eight distinct kinds of gameplay. Allmost all games can be described using two or three of these categories:

1. Sensation: games as sense-pleasures. Games in which you can have experiences that you wouldn't be able to have otherwise.

2. Fantasy: games as make-believe. Skyrim comes to mind, as well as most RPGs: games that transcend reality.

3. Narrative: games as drama. Games whose stories are told, either literally or through experiences.

4. Challenge: games as an obstacle course. Super Meat Boy is a good example of this. These games are often about highscores. Trackmania is a game I adore because it does this so well.

5. Fellowship: social games. Achieving something through working together. Often multiplayer, but not necessary.

6. Discovery: games as uncharted territory. Exploration. What I hope No Man's Sky to become.

7. Expression: games that are a blank canvas. Think of Minecraft, Gmod: games where you can put your creativity in and express yourself.

8. Submission: games as pastime. Games that you play to wind down after a long day at work. Yesterday, I played Euro Truck Simulator while catching up to my favourite podcasts.

I find it a useful vocabulary when talking about video games, and what I'm looking for in a game (if I'm playing at all). I'm a big fan of games that have Narrative, Sensation and Discovery. The Uncharted games come to mind there, but so does Portal 2.