Hack & Slash - Term Definition

What exactly defines the genre Hack & Slash?

There seems to be some first person shooters that tends to get tagged as Hack & Slash just cos you can ram through a bunch of zombies. Would the term Hack & Slash still apply for this?

The purist in me think its should only mean literately hack with Axe and Slash with Swords, but what do you all think?

Hack&slash is usually a top down action-rpg

In Japan its pretty simple... A hack n' slash game is a Devil May Cry clone.

In The West... I have no freaking clue !

How ever I will say this... I hate RPG Elements seeping into my Hack n Slash fun.... This has always been my biggest complaint about Darksiders.

Hack & Slash brings one game to mind: Slaughterhouse for Genesis. I don't know if that's technically what that genre of gaming is, but it definitely fits.

Diablo 3, Dark Alliance, Champions of Norrath, Dungeon Siege, Devil May Cry, Castlevania, God of War, Bloodrayne, Dynasty Warriors

Just classified as having a lot of repetitive melee or ranged actions.

I'd define it as a single player game in which combat is the primary focus. DMC, Ninja Gaiden, God of War, Bayonetta, The Wonderful 101, and the like

@ Pikminmaniac

What about Fighting Games ?

And can a game still be hack and slash if you only take on one baddie at a time like in Prince Of Persia (2008) ?

Isent it pretty clear.

"Hack&Slash" is God of War, Devil May Cry, Diablo, Linage etc. its a pretty broad term and doesnt have the same narrow meaning as when it first came out.

I differentiate between technical action games of Ninja Gaiden/DMC with mindless slashers that are more about cathartic spectacle such as the Dynasty Warriors games. For former has more design DNA in common with the sidescrolling beat-em-ups like Final Fight and Streets of Rage than they do with latter.

Okay. A lot of you guys are just wrong.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Diablo and Champions of Norrath are examples of Action RPGs.

Devil May Cry, Bayonetta and things like WH40K Space Marine and WET are examples of Melee/shooters.

Real hack&slash games are simple- a few combos, little-to-none in the RPG advancement department. Lord of the Rings: Conquest, Metal Gear Rising and any game ending in "Warriors" fits this bill.

@ El_Zo1212o

I think its a trick Genre to Define since a game can't just be Hack n' Slash alone, they lace it with other genres, alil bit of platforming or puzzles, alil bit of alot things.

I mean in Bayonetta's case, is it even stil Hacking and Slashing if shes not using her sword but is Kick Boxing in the Nude instead ?

Is Soul Calibur hack and Slash ?

Can you hack and slash on a 2D plane ?

@Lulu_Lulu: Bayo: can you fire the guns independently of the combo system? If so, it's a melee/shooter.

Soul Calibur is a fighting game.

Hack 'n' Slash games in the 90's were mostly on a 2D plane. They were basically beaten ups with swords.

Diablo and Devil May Cry.

Usually involves swords and mashing buttons (whether randomly or in set patterns) to mow through hoards of enemies.

@ El_Zo1212o

Thats pretty much how I always thought of it. Such a weird genre. Needs more co-op though. :)

I associate medieval themes with hack n' slash - games like Knights of the Round, Magic Sword, Golden Axe (series), Rastan and the capcom Dungeon's and Dragon's games, along with King of Dragons.

Edit: I know some don't like wikipedia, but this page does list some games that I'd forgotten about that might help define the term http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Hack_and_slash_games Basically a lot of 'hacking and slashing' - which also includes the Gauntlet series.

@Lulu_Lulu: what're you talkin' about? EVERY genre needs more co op.

@ El_Zo1212o

True... But for the life of me I can't fathom how they're gona add co-op.

@MonsieurX: I don't know man - I think there are quite a few first person hack and slash games. I would say Skyrim being one.

@bowchicka07: Then could you classify LFD as Hack and Slash?

I think Diablo by definition is hack and slash?

I think its enough to conclude that Hack and Slash means hacking and slashing through enemies?

A hack and slash are commonly action RPG with much in common with beat'em up. They are where you attack hoards of enemies and dodge when you must.

Not really El Zo

Hack/Slash is definitely Diablo and those kinds of games, i

All right Guys Great Work !

Now Lets define ROLE PLAYING GAMES ! Hahahaha ! LoL. XD !

Hello I am new to the site name's shadow773. Now this is how I define Hack and slash

1. players kill mobs
2. get loot (like)
3. armor
4. weapons
5. and healing items
6. bows and magic shooting staffs are not excluded

These days people are adding "beat 'em ups" to hack and slash genre. if you cannot plunder loot that you can use I don't think it is a hack and slash. so think Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, Onechanbara, and the like are more like "beat 'em up" along the line of final fight, tmnt the arcade and Double Dragon.

@shadow773: Firstly let me just say welcome to Gamespot. But sadly though, this thread here is a 1 year old thread, so in the future next time, please don't bump old threads that are over passed 30 days of no reply from anyone. Just a friendly advice coming from me.

@davillain- just realized it after I posted it lol thanks though