What kinds of achievements are there in games?
Video game achievements, called trophies on PlayStation, are rewards for reaching specific goals. Most fall into a handful of types: story progress, skill or difficulty challenges, collecting things, completing everything, multiplayer milestones, and secret or joke achievements. They are tracked by your platform account, so they stay with you across devices.
Common types of achievements
- Progression: unlocked by finishing chapters or the story. Almost every player gets these.
- Difficulty: beat the game on hard, without dying or with limits.
- Collectibles: find all hidden items, notes or locations.
- Completion: reach 100%, max out a character or unlock everything.
- Mastery and skill: defeat a boss with no damage, perfect combos or speedrun.
- Multiplayer: win matches, rank up or play a number of games online.
- Grind: large cumulative totals, such as 10,000 kills.
- Secret and humorous: hidden until unlocked, often for odd or funny actions.
- Missable: tied to a choice or moment you cannot repeat without replaying.
Where to see your achievements
- Xbox: Achievements in the guide or your profile; they add to your Gamerscore.
- PlayStation: the Trophies section in your profile; bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
- Steam: the game's page in your library or your profile's achievements showcase.
- Nintendo Switch: no system-wide achievements; some games have their own in-game lists.
FAQ
What is a platinum trophy?
On PlayStation, the platinum trophy is awarded for unlocking every other trophy in a game.
What does XP mean in games?
Experience points: a score you earn for actions that levels up your character or account.
What does HP mean in games?
Hit points or health points: how much damage a character can take before being defeated.