A guide to games on PlayStation: part one

New to PlayStation? Here's a look at the different game genres out there, and the best examples of each...

First Person Shooters

One of the most popular genres around, the First Person Shooter (or FPS, as it's commonly abbreviated to) does pretty much what you would expect: you view the action from a first person perspective, and shoot things. However, that is of course only half the story - for the FPS allows for amazingly immersive, compelling experiences.

As the technology powering games has become more powerful, the FPS has become more and more spectacular, and this is a trend that's set to continue: Resistance: Fall of Man, one of the most celebrated of the first wave of PS3 titles, is an FPS.

Check out these FPS titles: Black (PS2), Killzone (PS2), Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3), Call of Duty 3 (PS3)

Racing/Driving

Hammering a car round a virtual track is high up on the popularity list for gamers the world over. If you fancy sampling the high-octane thrills, the main decision to make is whether you prefer a more serious simulation, or a simplified, over-the-top 'arcade' experience (so called because of the kind of games you find in an arcade).

On PlayStation, there are fantastic examples of both kinds of game. Diehard car fans flock to the Gran Turismo series; subtitled 'The Real Driving Simulator', it's the closest you can get to driving the car of your dreams without that lottery win helping you out.

Arcade driving is similarly well represented, with the legendary Ridge Racer series providing 'drift racing' thrills for those who only take corners sideways, and Burnout offering crashes straight out of Hollywood. Alternatively, if cars are a bit too sedate for your liking, try a spot of futuristic racing in WipeOut Pure, after which life itself will seem a bit slow.

Check out these racing/driving titles: Gran Turismo 4 (PS2), Gran Turismo HD Concept (PS3 download), Ridge Racer 7 (PS3), WipeOut Pure (PSP), Burnout Revenge (PS2)