Action video games In the context of
action video games, the terms "hack and slash" or "slash 'em up" 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)
Sega's
arcade video game series
Shinobi (1987 debut) and
Golden Axe (1989 debut),
Data East's arcade game
Captain Silver (1987), the
Master System game
Danan: The Jungle Fighter (1990), 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 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, Kingdom Hearts, 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
. In turn, Devil May Cry (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including Onimusha: Warlords (2001) and Strider''. Hack-and-slash games have adopted concepts from beat 'em up and
fighting games. These concepts include knockdowns, meter management, canceling, I-frames, hit/block stun, super armor, punishing, and zoning/spacing.
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." Hack and slash made the transition from the tabletop to
role-playing video games, usually starting in
D&D-like worlds. This form of gameplay influenced a wide range of
action role-playing games, including games such as
Xanadu and
Diablo series.
Dynasty Warriors 4 developed by
Omega Force and published by
Koei features hack and slash action gameplay from a
third person perspective similar to previous titles in the
series. Also, player personas, weapons, and bodyguards in that game can
gain experience from combat that increase their rank, which strengthens their combat statistics. Other video games like
Samurai Warriors (again developed by Omega Force and published by Koei) and
Drakengard have created a "Musou or Musō style" subgenre of hack and slash action role playing games. Meanwhile, RPG games under the
Soulslike theme were originally been referred to as hack and slash RPG games, especially with the release of
Bloodborne in 2015 with its similar stylish combat mechanics. Other franchises from different genres have some games which left their previous genres or identities and dived into the hack and slash action RPG genre such as the
Final Fantasy series with
Final Fantasy XVI and
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. ==See also==