Tabletop and video game genre
Hack and slash , also known as hack and slay (H&S or HnS ) or slash 'em up ,[ 1] [ 2] refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat with melee -based weapons (such as swords or blades). They may also feature projectile-based weapons as well (such as guns) as secondary weapons. It is a sub-genre of beat 'em up games, which focuses on melee combat, usually with swords. Third-person hack and slash games are also sometimes known as character action games and spectacle fighters .
The term "hack and slash" was originally used to describe a play style in tabletop role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs , massively multiplayer online role-playing games , and role-playing video games . In arcade and console style action video games, the term has an entirely different usage, specifically referring to action games with a focus on real-time combat with hand-to-hand weapons as opposed to guns or fists. The two types of hack-and-slash games are largely unrelated, though action role-playing games may combine elements of both.
Types of hack-and-slash games
Action video games
In the context of action video games , the terms "hack and slash" or "slash 'em up"[ 1] [ 2] refer to melee weapon-based action games that are a sub-genre of beat 'em ups . Traditional 2D side-scrolling examples include Taito 's The Legend of Kage (1985)[ 2] and Rastan (1987),[ 1] [ 3] Sega 's arcade video game series Shinobi (1987 debut)[ 1] [ 4] and Golden Axe (1989 debut),[ 5] [ 6] Data East 's arcade game Captain Silver (1987),[ 1] Tecmo 's early Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors ) 2D games (1988 debut),[ 1] Capcom 's Strider (1989),[ 2] [ 7] the Sega Master System game Danan: The Jungle Fighter (1990),[ 1] Taito's Saint Sword (1991),[ 1] Vivid Image 's home computer game First Samurai (1991),[ 2] and Vanillaware 's Dragon's Crown (2013).[ 4] The term "hack-and-slash" in reference to action-adventure games dates back to 1987, when Computer Entertainer reviewed The Legend of Zelda and said it had "more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash" epics.[ 8]
In the early 21st century, journalists covering the video game industry often use the term "hack and slash" to refer to a distinct genre of 3D , third-person , weapon-based, melee action games. Examples include Capcom's Devil May Cry , Onimusha , and Sengoku Basara [ 9] franchises, Koei Tecmo 's Dynasty Warriors and 3D Ninja Gaiden games, Sony 's Genji: Dawn of the Samurai and God of War , as well as Bayonetta , Darksiders , Dante's Inferno ,[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] and No More Heroes . The genre is sometimes known as "character action" games, and represent a modern evolution of traditional arcade action games. This subgenre of games was largely defined by Hideki Kamiya , creator of Devil May Cry and Bayonetta .[ 13] In turn, Devil May Cry (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including Onimusha: Warlords (2001)[ 14] and Strider .[ 15]
Role-playing games
The term "hack and slash" itself has roots in "pen and paper " role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), denoting campaigns of violence with no other plot elements or significant goal. The term itself dates at least as far back as 1980, as shown in a Dragon article by Jean Wells and Kim Mohan which includes the following statement: "There is great potential for more than hacking and slashing in D&D or AD&D ; there is the possibility of intrigue, mystery and romance involving both sexes, to the benefit of all characters in a campaign."[ 16]
Hack and slash made the transition from the tabletop to role-playing video games , usually starting in D&D -like worlds.[ 17] This form of gameplay influenced a wide range of action role-playing games , including games such as Xanadu [ 18] and Diablo .[ 19]
See also
References
^ a b c d e f g h "Complete Games Guide" . Mean Machines . No. 20 (28 April 1992). May 1992. pp. 6, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26.
^ a b c d e "First Samurai" . Computer and Video Games . No. 121 (December 1991). 15 November 1991. pp. 28–30.
^ Reed, Kristan (4 January 2007). "Taito Legends Power-Up" . Eurogamer . Retrieved 11 April 2021 .
^ a b Gass, Zach (11 May 2020). "10 Awesome Hack and Slash Games That Aren't God of War" . Screen Rant . Retrieved 11 April 2021 .
^ Greg Kasavin (30 November 2006). "Golden Axe Review" . GameSpot. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2008 .
^ Patrick Shaw (16 May 2008). "Golden Axe: Beast Rider" . GamePro. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008 .
^ Weiss, Brett (9 July 2018). Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990: A Complete Guide to Sega Genesis, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16 Games . McFarland & Company . p. 206. ISBN 978-0-7864-9231-2 .
^ "Nintendo Software" (PDF) . Computer Entertainer . Vol. 6, no. 5. August 1987. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 November 2019.
^ "The Story behind Development of "Sengoku BASARA" " . Capcom. 24 December 2015.
^ "Dante's Inferno Review - UGO.com" . 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013.
^ Freeman, Will (6 June 2021). "Heavenly Sword Review" . VideoGamer . Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024 .
^ Pementel, Michael (7 January 2019). "A Timeless Hack And Slash Historical Adventure: Remembering 'Onimusha: Warlords' " . Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved 11 August 2021 .
^ Hovermale, Chris (10 March 2019). "How Devil May Cry's arcade inspirations shaped character action games" . Destructoid . Retrieved 30 April 2021 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "Afterthoughts: Devil May Cry" . Electronic Gaming Monthly . December 2001. p. 56. Retrieved 9 March 2024 .
^ Fahey, Rob (1 January 2007). "Strider 1/2" . Eurogamer.net . Retrieved 9 August 2020 .
^ Wells, Jean ; Mohan, Kim (July 1980). "Women want equality - and why not?". Dragon #39 . V (1). TSR Hobbies, Inc.: 16.
^ David Myers. "The attack of the backstories (and why they won't win)" (PDF) . Loyola University New Orleans . Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2008.
^ "Hack and Slash: What Makes a Good Action RPG?" . 1UP.com . 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011 .
^ Kruse, Cord (5 September 2008). "Diablo III: Timeline, Expanded RPG Elements, iTunes D3 Music" . Inside Mac Games . Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2008 .
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