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{{short description|Tabletop and video game genre}}
{{About|a video game genre|2014 video game|Hack 'n' Slash|the comic|Hack/Slash|the fictional characters in ''ReBoot''|List of ReBoot characters#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 (video games)|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 [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]]s, [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|massively multiplayer online role-playing games]], and [[role-playing video game]]s. In [[Arcade game|arcade]] and [[Console game|console]] style action video games, the term has an entirely different usage, specifically referring to action games with a focus on [[Real-time game|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">{{cite magazine |title=Complete Games Guide |magazine=[[Mean Machines]] |date=May 1992 |issue=20 (28 April 1992) |pages=6, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26 |url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Complete_Games_Guide_1992-05_EMAP_Images_GB_suppliment_issue_20/page/n4/mode/1up}}</ref><ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |title=First Samurai |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 November 1991 |issue=121 (December 1991) |pages=28–30 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-121/page/n27/mode/2up}}</ref> refer to melee weapon-based action games that are a sub-genre of [[beat 'em up]]s. Traditional 2D [[side-scrolling]] examples include [[Taito]]'s ''[[The Legend of Kage]]'' (1985)<ref name="CVG"/> and ''[[Rastan (video game)|Rastan]]'' (1987),<ref name="MM"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Kristan |title=Taito Legends Power-Up |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/taito-legends-power-up-review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=11 April 2021 |date=4 January 2007}}</ref> [[Sega]]'s [[arcade video game]] series ''[[Shinobi (series)|Shinobi]]'' (1987 debut)<ref name="MM"/><ref name="screenrant">{{cite news |last1=Gass |first1=Zach |title=10 Awesome Hack and Slash Games That Aren't God of War |url=https://screenrant.com/best-awesome-hack-slash-games-arent-god-war/ |access-date=11 April 2021 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=11 May 2020}}</ref> and ''[[Golden Axe]]'' (1989 debut),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/goldenaxegen/review.html |title=Golden Axe Review |author=Greg Kasavin |publisher=GameSpot |date=30 November 2006 |access-date=7 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204233037/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/goldenaxegen/review.html |archive-date=4 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/185688/golden-axe-beast-rider/ | author = Patrick Shaw | date = 16 May 2008 | access-date = 7 October 2008 | title = Golden Axe: Beast Rider | publisher = GamePro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017133630/http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/185688/golden-axe-beast-rider/|archive-date=17 October 2008}}</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 arcade game)|Strider]]'' (1989),<ref name="CVG"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Weiss |first1=Brett |title=Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990: A Complete Guide to Sega Genesis, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16 Games |date=9 July 2018 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-9231-2 |page=206 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lmRjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA206}}</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 (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' and said it had "more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash" epics.<ref name="CE">{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo Software |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |date=August 1987 |volume=6 |issue=5 |page=12 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug87.pdf#page=12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123024827/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug87.pdf |archive-date=23 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</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 computer graphics|3D]], [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]], weapon-based, melee action games. Examples include Capcom's ''[[Devil May Cry]]'', ''[[Onimusha]]'', and ''[[Sengoku Basara]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/feature/2015_basara01/02.html|title=The Story behind Development of "Sengoku BASARA"|publisher=Capcom|date=24 December 2015}}</ref> franchises, [[Koei Tecmo]]'s ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' and 3D ''Ninja Gaiden'' games, [[Sony]]'s ''[[Genji: Dawn of the Samurai]]'' and ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'', as well as ''[[Bayonetta]]'', ''[[Darksiders]]'', ''[[Dante's Inferno (video game)|Dante's Inferno]]'',<ref name=UGO>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/dantes-inferno-review|title=Dante's Inferno Review - UGO.com|date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105225144/http://www.ugo.com/games/dantes-inferno-review |archive-date=5 November 2013 }}</ref><ref name="VideoGamer">{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Will |date=6 June 2021 |title=Heavenly Sword Review |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/heavenly-sword-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525192950/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/heavenly-sword-review/ |archive-date=25 May 2022 |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=VideoGamer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pementel |first1=Michael |title=A Timeless Hack And Slash Historical Adventure: Remembering 'Onimusha: Warlords' |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3540280/timeless-hack-slash-historical-adventure-remembering-onimusha-warlords/ |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |date=7 January 2019}}</ref> ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'',<ref name="gr">{{Cite web|title=Polarizing Hack And Slash Games That Are Still Worth Trying|url=https://gamerant.com/polarizing-hack-slash-games-worth-trying/|date=2024-09-18}}</ref><ref name="bestgames">{{Cite web|last=Edwards|first=C.M.|title=The Best Hack and Slash Games of All Time, Ranked|url=https://gamerant.com/best-hack-and-slash-games/|date=2024-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Levy|first=Jerel|title=These JRPG Combat Systems Are The Best Of All Time|url=https://www.thegamer.com/jrpg-best-combat-systems/|date=2025-05-31}}</ref> and ''[[No More Heroes (series)|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>{{cite news |last1=Hovermale |first1=Chris |title=How Devil May Cry's arcade inspirations shaped character action games |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/how-devil-may-cry-s-arcade-inspirations-shaped-character-action-games-545783.phtml |access-date=30 April 2021 |work=[[Destructoid]] |date=10 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In turn, ''[[Devil May Cry (video game)|Devil May Cry]]'' (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including ''[[Onimusha: Warlords]]'' (2001)<ref name="egm">{{Cite magazine |date=December 2001 |title=Afterthoughts: Devil May Cry |url=http://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-149-december-2001 |access-date=9 March 2024 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |page=56}}</ref> and ''Strider''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=1 January 2007 |title=Strider 1/2 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/strider-1-2-review |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=Eurogamer.net}}</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 "[[Tabletop role-playing game|pen and paper]]" [[Role-playing game|role-playing games]] such as ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (D&D), denoting [[Campaign (role-playing games)|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 (magazine)|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">{{cite journal
 | last1 = Wells | first1 = Jean | author-link1 = Jean Wells
 | last2 = Mohan | first2 = Kim | author-link2 = Kim Mohan
 | title = Women want equality - and why not?
 | journal = Dragon #39
 | volume = V
 | issue = 1
 | pages = 16
 | publisher = TSR Hobbies, Inc.
 | date = July 1980
 }}</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">{{cite web |author=David Myers |title=The attack of the backstories (and why they won't win) |url=http://www.loyno.edu/~dmyers/F99%20classes/AttackOfTheBackstories.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201202321/http://www.loyno.edu/~dmyers/F99%20classes/AttackOfTheBackstories.pdf |archive-date=1 December 2008 |website=Loyola University New Orleans}}</ref> This form of gameplay influenced a wide range of [[action role-playing game]]s, including games such as ''[[Xanadu (video game)|Xanadu]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Hack and Slash: What Makes a Good Action RPG?|work=[[1UP.com]]|date=18 May 2010|url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9030743|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110629035402/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9030743|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> and ''[[Diablo (series)|Diablo]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kruse |first=Cord |date=5 September 2008 |title=Diablo III: Timeline, Expanded RPG Elements, iTunes D3 Music |url=http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ID=16949 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606161326/http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ID=16949 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |access-date=7 October 2008 |website=Inside Mac Games}}</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>{{Cite web|last=Rivera|first=Alexei|title=Bloodborne Quick Preview – Must Have PS4 Exclusive Hack & Slash RPG|url=https://www.thetechnoclast.com/2015/07/08/bloodborne-quick-preview-must-have-ps4-exclusive-hack-slash-rpg/|date=2015-07-08}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[Action role-playing game]]
* [[Beat 'em up]]
* [[Dungeon crawl]]
* [[List of beat 'em ups]], including hack-and-slash games
* [[Powergaming]]
* [[Roguelike]]
* [[Slasher film]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{MUDs}}
{{Video game genre}}
{{Martial arts}}

[[Category:20th-century neologisms]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games| ]]
[[Category:Hack and slash role-playing games| ]]
[[Category:MUD terminology]]
[[Category:Role-playing game terminology]]
[[Category:Video game genres]]
[[Category:Video game terminology]]