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{{About|a gameplay style|the comic|HACK/slash|the fictional characters in ''ReBoot''|List of ReBoot characters#Hack and Slash}}
{{About|a gameplay style|the comic|HACK/slash|the fictional characters in ''ReBoot''|List of ReBoot characters#Hack and Slash}}


'''Hack and slash''' or '''hack and slay''', abbreviated '''H&S''' or '''HnS''', refers to a type of [[gameplay]] that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of [[tabletop role-playing games]], carrying over from there to [[MUD]]s, [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPGs]], and [[video game]]s in general. In [[video games]], the usage specifically implies a focus on combat with [[hand-to-hand]] weapons. In other contexts it is more general, and an [[Archery|archer]] or unarmed [[martial artist]] may participate as fully in a hack and slash game, or be as hack-and-slash oriented as an individual, as an armed [[melee]] fighter. In modern video games the term "hack and slash" is used more specifically as a game in which the combat is very repetitive (also described as "Button-mashers") such as the ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' or ''[[Sengoku Basara]]'' series.
'''Hack and slash''' or '''hack and slay''', abbreviated '''H&S''' or '''HnS''', refers to a type of [[gameplay]] that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of [[tabletop role-playing games]], carrying over from there to [[MUD]]s, [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPGs]], and [[video game]]s in general. In [[video games]], the usage specifically implies a focus on combat with [[hand-to-hand]] weapons. In other contexts it is more general, and an [[Archery|archer]] or unarmed [[martial artist]] may participate as fully in a hack and slash game, or be as hack-and-slash oriented as an individual, as an armed [[melee]] fighter. In modern video games the term "hack and slash" is used more specifically to refer to [[action game]]s in which the combat revolves around repetitive melee combat, or "button-mashing," such as the ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' or ''[[Sengoku Basara]]'' series.


==Origins==
==Origins==

Revision as of 12:57, 22 December 2011

This article is about a gameplay style. For the comic, see HACK/slash. For the fictional characters in ReBoot, see List of ReBoot characters § Hack and Slash.

Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of tabletop role-playing games, carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general. In video games, the usage specifically implies a focus on combat with hand-to-hand weapons. In other contexts it is more general, and an archer or unarmed martial artist may participate as fully in a hack and slash game, or be as hack-and-slash oriented as an individual, as an armed melee fighter. In modern video games the term "hack and slash" is used more specifically to refer to action games in which the combat revolves around repetitive melee combat, or "button-mashing," such as the Dynasty Warriors or Sengoku Basara series.

Origins

Hack and slash has its roots in "pen and paper" RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons, 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 magazine 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."[1] The article goes on to report the experience of one D&D player who claimed that "when she plays in tournaments, she does run into the "hack and slash" type of player, but most of them are adolescent males. These types of players not only aggravate her, but other, more mature players as well."[1]

Application

File:NoMoreHeroesCombat.JPG
The 2008 Wii game No More Heroes is a popular hack and slash game. Player character Travis Touchdown must often defeat many enemies at once in repetitive fashion.

Hack and slash made the transition from the tabletop to video games, usually starting in D&D-like worlds.[2] This form of gameplay can now be found in a wide range of action role-playing games, including games such as Lineage,[3] Diablo,[4] Dragon Slayer, Babylonian Castle Saga, Hydlide, Dragon Buster, Ys, Crystalis, Mana, Soul Blazer, King's Field, Tales, Star Ocean, Princess Crown, Monster Hunter, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and Demon's Souls.

This form of gameplay also extended beyond role-playing video games, to beat 'em up action games, such as Golden Axe,[5][6] Knights of the Round, The King of Dragons, Dungeons & Dragons Collection, Guardian Heroes, and Dungeon Fighter Online.

Notable third-person combat-based action games in this genre include Devil May Cry,[7][8] Onimusha,[8] Ninja Gaiden, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,[9] Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,[10] Heavenly Sword,[7][8] God of War, Genji, No More Heroes, Conan, Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade, Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno,[7] Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage, Drakengard, Drakengard 2, Dynasty Warriors, Severance: Blade of Darkness, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Rygar: The Legendary Adventure, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, Rune, Darksiders and X-Blades.

Usage

Both variations of the term are often written in hyphenated form and with the conjunction contracted, e.g. hack-and-slash, hack 'n' slay.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Wells, Jean; Mohan, Kim (July 1980). "Women want equality - and why not?". Dragon #39. V (1). TSR Hobbies, Inc.: 16. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ David Myers. "The attack of the backstories (and why they won't win)" (PDF).
  3. ^ Huhh, Jun Sok; Park, Sang Woo. "Game Design, Trading Markets, and Playing Practices" (pdf).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Cord Kruse (2008-09-05). "Diablo III: Timeline, Expanded RPG Elements, iTunes D3 Music". Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  5. ^ Greg Kasavin (2006-11-30). "Golden Axe Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  6. ^ Patrick Shaw (2008-05-16). "Golden Axe: Beast Rider". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  7. ^ a b c Is Dante's Inferno Divine or a Comedy of Errors?, UGO Networks, February 9, 2010
  8. ^ a b c Heavenly Sword Review, VideoGamer.com, 04/09/2007
  9. ^ Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  10. ^ Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
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