Presentation of Hack and Slash
Hack & Slash is a word that can be translated as “slash and slash”. It characterises a type of video game in which the gamer progresses through a setting by eliminating monsters that offer him optimal equipment and most of the time experience. Very present in browser games.
Levels often end with bosses. These are more powerful monsters that must be eliminated with a particular strategy. In addition, it should be noted that this term only applies to video games, whereas it would fit well with action-oriented films and even fantasy books.
In terms of technical points, this type of game is played in the 3rd person (as opposed to the first person where the gamer is at camera level). It is different from an MMO since action is dominant in hack and slash. Indeed, players have to be reactive in order to escape the attacks made. However, the two genres are quite similar as they have common features such as a race for equipment and regular battles.
The most famous game of the hack and slash genre is the Diablo series designed by the Blizzard group since 1997. In the latter, you will be set in a medieval-fantasy environment where you will have to explore various dungeons with creatures that you will have to eliminate in order to acquire experience and treasures. The aim of the game is to find Diablo and defeat him.
A genre in decline
For several years, the hack and slash genre has been in decline, mainly due to competition from MMORPGs. Very often adapted now by fighting games. Indeed, this kind of games offers the same kind of gameplay, but more addictive. So, even if designing a group of characters and making them progress in a game of this kind, such as Wizard’s Crown, can be nice, few gamers will appreciate this achievement. Meanwhile, in an MMORPG game, a motivated player is continually rewarded by other gamers. Very often equated with free games. That’s why if hack ‘n’ slash style gameplay is addictive in a single player game, it is much more addictive in an MMORPG where a huge crowd of players are present and active.
Thus, and unfortunately, recent role-playing games are focusing less and less on this kind of gameplay, a sector where they are largely surpassed by MMORPGs. This genre is as popular as shoot them up. In recent years, the hack and slash style has focused more and more on the storyline, the characters and the emotional aspect. Indeed, if MMORPGs such as the unavoidable World of Warcraft offer quests, generally taking place over long sequences, the nature of the MMORPG does not offer the possibility of designing a scenario as sophisticated as in a title such as Baldur’s Gate for example.
See also >> Lexicon