Hack and slash

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Hack and slash, also known as hack and slay (H&S or HnS) or slash 'em up,<ref name="MM"/><ref name="CVG"/> 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.

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"<ref name="MM">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="CVG">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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)<ref name="CVG"/> and Rastan (1987),<ref name="MM"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sega's arcade video game series Shinobi (1987 debut)<ref name="MM"/><ref name="screenrant">Template:Cite news</ref> and Golden Axe (1989 debut),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Data East's arcade game Captain Silver (1987),<ref name="MM"/> Tecmo's early Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors) 2D games (1988 debut),<ref name="MM"/> Capcom's Strider (1989),<ref name="CVG"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the Master System game Danan: The Jungle Fighter (1990),<ref name="MM"/> Taito's Saint Sword (1991),<ref name="MM"/> Vivid Image's home computer game First Samurai (1991),<ref name="CVG"/> and Vanillaware's Dragon's Crown (2013).<ref name="screenrant"/> 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.<ref name="CE">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name=UGO>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="VideoGamer">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kingdom Hearts,<ref name="gr">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="bestgames">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and No More Heroes. The sub-genre that modernized the hack and slash is sometimes known as a "character action" game, and represents a modern evolution of traditional arcade-action, hack and slash games. This subgenre of games was largely initiated and defined by Hideki Kamiya, creator of the first Devil May Cry, Okami, and Bayonetta.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> In turn, Devil May Cry (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including Onimusha: Warlords (2001)<ref name="egm">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and Strider.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other franchises from different genres had some games which left their previous genres or identities and dived into the hack and slash genre such as the Final Fantasy series with Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.<ref name="gr"/><ref name="bestgames"/>

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."<ref name="Wells/Mohan">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Hack and slash made the transition from the tabletop to role-playing video games, usually starting in D&D-like worlds.<ref name="DND">Template:Cite web</ref> This form of gameplay influenced a wide range of action role-playing games, including games such as Xanadu<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Diablo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Meanwhile, RPG games under the Soulslike theme have originally been referred to as hack and slash RPG games, especially with the release of Bloodborne in 2015 with its similar stylish combat mechanics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

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References

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