PvE
PvE Definition
PvE (Player vs Environment) is a common gaming term that refers to a game mode where players compete against computer-controlled enemies. That means the environment is the “opponent,” and players face challenges built into the game. For example, those could be enemy bots, story missions, boss fights, and scripted events.
How PvE Works
In PvE games, the developer determines the rules, enemy behaviors, difficulty levels, and scenarios in advance. Many newer PvE games, especially from big developers, include AI-driven opponents that follow predefined rules and patterns, sometimes with adaptive tweaks. The result is learnable behavior that remains more stable than human play. These games also often include progression systems with leveling, story arcs, and opportunities to unlock abilities and gather items.
Gameplay is typically mission-based, with clear objectives. For example, that could be defeating a boss, defending a location, or solving a puzzle. PvE can be played solo or in co-op, where you team up with other humans to defeat an opponent. The key distinction is that you’re not competing against other players; your opponents are computer-controlled.
Genres and Games That Feature PvE
- MMORPGs: Games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV come with raid dungeons, story quests, and world events designed for PvE.
- Shooters: Titles like Destiny 2 and The Division include co-op missions where players battle against AI enemies.
- Survival games: In games like Minecraft and 7 Days to Die, players can survive while battling environmental threats such as zombies or wildlife.
- Strategy games: Age of Empires and XCOM let you manage resources and command units against computer-controlled factions.
- Action-adventure games: Story-driven games like God of War, Tomb Raider, and The Legend of Zelda are all single-player games with linear progression.
PvE vs PvP
- PvE (Player vs Environment): You play against pre-programmed opponents. The focus is on story progression, completing a mission, and surviving against scripted challenges.
- PvP (Player vs Player): You play against real players. These matches are more competitive and less predictable. Examples include Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, Valorant, and League of Legends.
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FAQ
PvE stands for “Player vs Environment.” It’s a popular game mode where you face computer-controlled enemies instead of other players. For example, adventure games like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, Stardew Valley, and Hollow Knight use PvE to put you through a series of missions while discovering the story.
Not always, but PVE and story mode often overlap. Story mode in PVE games usually means following a set of missions with a strong narrative, where the goal is to reach the end of the game, like in Dark Souls or Elden Ring. PVE can also include additional elements, like side quests. There are also PVE games without a traditional, linear story mode, like Minecraft (Survival), Vampire Survivors, and Deep Rock Galactic.
Co-op (short for co-operative play) is a game mode where two or more players work together toward a shared goal. PvE is a type of gameplay where players face computer-controlled enemies instead of other gamers. The two often overlap, as most co-op modes are PvE (for example, in Destiny 2 raids, Diablo IV Dungeons, and Monster Hunter: World), but they aren’t the same thing. PvE can be played solo, while co-op can also exist in PvP games where players team up against other players.
Yes, many PvE games can be played offline, especially if they’re single-player, like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, and Hollow Knight. However, some PvE experiences, like raids in online games, require an internet connection. In games like Destiny 2, World of Warcraft, and The Division 2, you allow other players to join, but you all fight against a computer-controlled opponent (instead of fighting against each other).
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