Hello from Nexon PEAK.

Pico, which game genre do you enjoy most?

Do you prefer RPGs where you steadily develop your character?

Or do you enjoy competitive games where a single decisive moment can deliver a thrilling sense of achievement?

Everyone enjoys games differently, but finding a genre that suits you

is one of the keys to finding a game you can enjoy for a long time!

In this PEAK Note, we explored the most frequently mentioned game genres and the reasons behind their appeal,

drawing on posts Pico shared through the [Nexon PEAK Post Challenge].

Mabinogi Mobile, FC ONLINE, MapleStory,

MapleStory M, and Overwatch frequently appeared in Pico posts as key examples.

From the joy of progression to the thrill of competition.

Let’s explore what makes these Pico-recommended game genres so appealing.

[RPGs VS Sports Games: Which Do Pico Prefer?]

Game	Genre	What Appeals to Pico
Mabinogi Mobile	MMORPG	Steady progression and the freedom to play your way
FC ONLINE	Sports	The thrill of competitive victories and club management
MapleStory	RPG	The satisfaction of growing stronger through your efforts
MapleStory M	RPG	Progression support that makes returning easy
Overwatch	Team-based action FPS	A sense of achievement earned through intense competition

1. Mabinogi Mobile — An MMORPG That Rewards Steady Progression

Progression-focused RPGs were the genre Pico mentioned most often, with Mabinogi Mobile receiving the most recommendations.

Pico highlighted how the time they invest each day translates into character progression as Mabinogi Mobile’s greatest appeal. Many said that seeing their playtime add up to lasting progress—not only in levels and equipment, but also in life skills and character customization—kept them enjoying the game over the long term.

Pico also frequently mentioned the freedom to enjoy life skills beyond combat, including fishing, logging, gathering, and cooking, at their own pace.

What Stood Out to Pico

• The satisfaction of steady progression

  • Taking on Abyss at Hell difficulty, completing the Rune Codex, and putting together equipment builds provide a sense of achievement as your character gradually grows stronger.

• The freedom to explore customization and life skills

  • With customization and life skills to enjoy alongside combat, you can develop your own playstyle.

💬 "It is deeply satisfying to know that the time I spend playing today leads to progress tomorrow, and that the little bit of time I invest each day produces visible results." — 곤류 [RPGs or Competitive Games: Which Do I Choose?]

2. FC ONLINE — A Sports Game Combining Competitive Thrills with Club Management

FC ONLINE was Pico’s most frequently cited example of competitive gaming.

The moments that unfold within a single match—from the thrill of a goal that turns the game around to the tension of a penalty shootout—were highlighted as FC ONLINE’s greatest appeal.

Beyond competing to win, many Pico also enjoyed building their own team by signing players and completing their squad.

What Stood Out to Pico

• The fun of skill-based competition

• Building your own team through club management

• Seeing your skills improve as you play

💬 "RPGs require considerable time and effort to reach specific goals and experience what they offer. By contrast, once you learn the controls, you can go straight into a match and compete against other players. That immediacy is one of the appeals of sports games." — 연백 [Comparing the Appeal of RPGs and Sports Games!]

3. MapleStory — An RPG Where Your Progress Reflects Your Effort

Pico most often described MapleStory as "an RPG where you grow stronger through the effort you put in."

For Pico, MapleStory’s greatest appeal was how leveling up, putting together equipment builds, and challenging bosses become goals in their own right. The more time they invest, the more clearly they can see their characters grow.

Sharing strategies with other Pico and taking on bosses together were also frequently mentioned as part of what makes RPGs uniquely enjoyable.

What Stood Out to Pico

• The satisfaction of progress that reflects your effort

• The fun of tackling bosses and improving equipment

• Enjoying RPGs as a community

💬 "In MapleStory, the levels I gained, the equipment I put together, and the content I cleared today felt like lasting milestones." — Tuanzebe [Steady Progress in MapleStory, Immediate Competition in FC ONLINE]

4. MapleStory M — A Progression-Focused RPG to Enjoy Anytime, Anywhere

Pico frequently recommended MapleStory M as a progression-focused RPG that is easy to return to.

Many said that returning-player events and progression benefits made it easy to start again without pressure, even after a long time away.

The ability to steadily develop characters on mobile and use systems linked to MapleStory was also highlighted as a strength.

What Stood Out to Pico

• Progression support that makes returning easy

• The joy of continued progression on mobile

• Gameplay linked to MapleStory

💬 "Sports games offer the fun of competition too, but I prefer progression-focused RPGs like MapleStory M." — 빵파먹기 [Whenever I return, they give me 3 pets and plenty of items. It makes coming back worthwhile~]

5. Overwatch — The Ultimate Sense of Achievement Through Intense Competition

Pico frequently mentioned Overwatch as a leading example of competitive gaming.

Many said its greatest appeal was the sense of achievement that comes from a hard-fought match against equally skilled opponents and turning a losing game into a victory.

Understanding each hero’s distinct role and coordinating with teammates to win were also highlighted as part of what makes competitive games uniquely enjoyable.

What Stood Out to Pico

• The thrill of a comeback that turns the match around

• Competitive play that lets you see your skills improve

• Victories built on teamwork

💬 "Ultimately, I think what I enjoy is not victory itself so much as the sense of achievement earned after a hard-fought match." — 곤류 [RPGs or Competitive Games: Which Do I Choose?]

[What Pico’s Recommended Games and Genres Have in Common]

The Joy of Progression

Many Pico said their greatest enjoyment came from seeing the time they invested translate into character progression, as in Mabinogi Mobile and MapleStory.

Achievement Through Competition

Testing their skills and earning victories in games like FC ONLINE and Overwatch gave Pico both the tension of competition and a sense of immersion.

The Fun of Playing Together

Beyond progressing on their own, sharing information and cooperating with other Pico were important reasons players continued to enjoy their games over time.

A Playstyle That Suits You

Whether they enjoyed intense competition or preferred progressing at a relaxed pace, players tended to enjoy games longer when they chose a genre that suited them.

[FAQ]

Q1. Which genre is more popular: progression-focused RPGs or competitive games?

Progression-focused RPGs, sports games, and competitive games all appeared regularly in Pico posts. RPGs were praised for character development and long-term progression, while sports and FPS games stood out for the sense of achievement earned through competition and victory. Rather than seeing one genre as more popular, Pico generally agreed that preferences depend on the gameplay experience each player wants.

Q2. What is the greatest appeal of competitive games?

Pico who enjoy FC ONLINE and Overwatch cited the tension of competition and the sense of achievement that comes with winning as the biggest attractions.

Q3. What makes progression-focused RPGs enjoyable?

The most frequently mentioned aspects were watching characters gradually grow stronger, taking on new content one challenge at a time, and seeing the time invested lead to visible results.

Q4. Which genres are good for returning players?

When choosing a game to return to, Pico placed more importance on returning-player support than on genre. They highlighted games with plenty of returning-player events and progression support, such as MapleStory M, as well as games like FC ONLINE, whose familiar gameplay makes it easy to pick up again.

Q5. What is the RPG genre?

RPG (Role Playing Game) is a genre in which players develop characters, upgrade equipment, and enjoy stories and other content. In the Nexon PEAK Post Challenge, Mabinogi Mobile, MapleStory, and MapleStory M were frequently cited as examples of progression-focused RPGs.

Q. What are sports games?

Sports games are based on real-world sports and let players compete using strategy and skill with the controls. Games like FC ONLINE combine player recruitment, squad building, and real-time matches.

Q. What is the FPS genre?

FPS stands for First-Person Shooter, a shooting game played from a first-person perspective. In games such as Overwatch, quick decisions, teamwork, and precise control determine victory or defeat.

Through posts shared by PEAK users in 2026, we explored the distinct appeal of a variety of game genres.

From the joy of developing characters to the thrill of competing for victory and the fun of connecting through play,

Pico’s gaming experiences are truly diverse.

Which game genre is your top choice?

Share your story on PEAK today and connect with other Pico!

※ This post draws on mentions in Nexon PEAK Post Challenge entries on PEAK as of July 28, 2026. Game content and event availability are subject to change.

※ The images in this post were created for illustrative purposes and do not directly depict actual gameplay screens or in-game content.