28-461: Darksiders is a hack and slash action-adventure video game franchise created by Vigil Games , now developed by Gunfire Games , which consists of some of the original members of Vigil. The series is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where mankind faces near-extinction and angels fight a losing battle against the demon hordes for control over the world. Among them are the Four Horsemen of
56-525: 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
84-474: 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
112-458: A sub-genre of beat 'em ups . Traditional 2D side-scrolling examples include Taito 's The Legend of Kage (1985) and Rastan (1987), Sega 's arcade video game series Shinobi (1987 debut) and Golden Axe (1989 debut), Data East 's arcade game Captain Silver (1987), Tecmo 's early Ninja Gaiden ( Shadow Warriors ) 2D games (1988 debut), Capcom 's Strider (1989),
140-405: A sub-genre of beat 'em ups . Traditional 2D side-scrolling examples include Taito 's The Legend of Kage (1985) and Rastan (1987), Sega 's arcade video game series Shinobi (1987 debut) and Golden Axe (1989 debut), Data East 's arcade game Captain Silver (1987), Tecmo 's early Ninja Gaiden ( Shadow Warriors ) 2D games (1988 debut), Capcom 's Strider (1989),
168-417: A wide range of action role-playing games , including games such as Xanadu and Diablo . Hack and slash Hack and slash , also known as hack and slay ( H&S or HnS ) or slash 'em up , refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat with melee -based weapons (such as swords or blades). They may also feature projectile-based weapons as well (such as guns) as secondary weapons. It
196-483: Is a sub-genre of beat 'em up games, which focuses on melee combat, usually with swords. Third-person hack and slash games are also sometimes known as character action games and spectacle fighters . The term "hack and slash" was originally used to describe a play style in tabletop role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs , massively multiplayer online role-playing games , and role-playing video games . In arcade and console style action video games,
224-483: Is a sub-genre of beat 'em up games, which focuses on melee combat, usually with swords. Third-person hack and slash games are also sometimes known as character action games and spectacle fighters . The term "hack and slash" was originally used to describe a play style in tabletop role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs , massively multiplayer online role-playing games , and role-playing video games . In arcade and console style action video games,
252-416: Is called upon to save mankind from certain destruction at the hands of Lucifer. The game was released on Microsoft Windows and Stadia on December 5, 2019. It was subsequently released on PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , and Nintendo Switch on February 14, 2020. Unlike the main series games, Genesis is developed by Airship Syndicate, who previously developed Battle Chasers: Nightwar , and comprises some of
280-547: Is killed in the battle, the Charred Council blame him for destroying the balance and starting the apocalypse. War vows to find the one truly responsible, so he is sent back to Earth, where 100 years have passed, in his search to find them. An enhanced version, titled Darksiders: Warmastered Edition , published by Nordic Games , was released on November 22, 2016, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One , on November 29 for Microsoft Windows , and on May 23, 2017, for Wii U . It
308-642: Is sometimes known as "character action" games, and represent a modern evolution of traditional arcade action games. This subgenre of games was largely defined by Hideki Kamiya , creator of Devil May Cry and Bayonetta . In turn, Devil May Cry (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including Onimusha: Warlords (2001) and Strider . 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
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#1732793146020336-642: Is sometimes known as "character action" games, and represent a modern evolution of traditional arcade action games. This subgenre of games was largely defined by Hideki Kamiya , creator of Devil May Cry and Bayonetta . In turn, Devil May Cry (2001) was influenced by earlier hack-and-slash games, including Onimusha: Warlords (2001) and Strider . 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
364-593: The Apocalypse , the last of the Nephilim who are tasked to bring balance to the universe. The first installment in the franchise, Darksiders was released in 2010 for PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 , and Microsoft Windows . Originally set in a modern-day Earth, a war breaks out between Heaven and Hell. War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, finds himself on Earth in the midst of the battle. After War
392-507: The Sega Master System game Danan: The Jungle Fighter (1990), Taito's Saint Sword (1991), Vivid Image 's home computer game First Samurai (1991), and Vanillaware 's Dragon's Crown (2013). The term "hack-and-slash" in reference to action-adventure games dates back to 1987, when Computer Entertainer reviewed The Legend of Zelda and said it had "more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash" epics. In
420-438: The Sega Master System game Danan: The Jungle Fighter (1990), Taito's Saint Sword (1991), Vivid Image 's home computer game First Samurai (1991), and Vanillaware 's Dragon's Crown (2013). The term "hack-and-slash" in reference to action-adventure games dates back to 1987, when Computer Entertainer reviewed The Legend of Zelda and said it had "more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash" epics. In
448-464: The bankruptcy of THQ . The third installment in the franchise and parallel sequel to its predecessors, Darksiders III was released on November 27, 2018, for Microsoft Windows , PlayStation 4 , and Xbox One . It was later released on September 30, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch . The player takes on the role of Fury, the third of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Again set parallel with
476-478: The crime War was blamed for as well as to try to resurrect mankind. An enhanced version, titled Darksiders II: The Deathinitive Edition , was released on October 27, 2015, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One , and on November 5 for Microsoft Windows . A Nintendo Switch version was released on September 26, 2019. It was published by Nordic Games , who had acquired the rights to the Darksiders franchise following
504-567: 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 , and No More Heroes . The genre
532-512: 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 , and No More Heroes . The genre
560-502: The first game, War's method of fighting is using a two-handed signature sword named Chaoseater, though throughout the game the player can equip various other items including a Scythe and a revolver. In Darksiders II , Death uses two scythes as his signature weapon, and in Darksiders III , Fury uses a whip and magic to tear down her enemies. All Darksiders games generally have similar gameplay, as featuring an open world for
588-449: The first two games, Fury is sent on a quest to recapture all of the escaped Seven Deadly Sins , but soon discovers that her mission is a snipe hunt engineered to remove her alongside all of mankind from interfering with a much wider web of intrigue perpetrated on all sides. A spin-off prequel of the main series, Darksiders Genesis is a top-down action game which follows the fourth and final horseman, Strife, who, alongside his brother War,
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#1732793146020616-424: The original developers of Vigil Games. At THQ Nordic Showcase 2024, Gunfire Games and THQ Nordic revealed that a new Darksiders game was in development. The Darksiders games feature an action role-playing hack and slash style of gameplay. Players take control of one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse , from a third-person perspective, each of which characters offer unique play styles and equipment. In
644-464: The players to explore and a variety of puzzles to solve. Players can find chests that contain souls of the dead, which they can use to purchase a variety of items. The game has an emphasis on boss fights, where players need to learn their weak point in order to do vast amounts of damage. Players can also explore the open world by using the protagonists' own horses, War's being named Ruin, Death's being named Despair and Fury's being named Rampage. Sometimes
672-417: The series own gameplay format is compared to Bayonetta . Darksiders creator Joe Madureira expressed interest in a possible comic book series and film adaptation for the series. Madureira had been reportedly working on a screenplay, which he intended to sell its rights to a Hollywood studio. A prequel novel set before the events of Darksiders and Darksiders II titled Darksiders: The Abomination Vault
700-437: The term has an entirely different usage, specifically referring to action games with a focus on 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. 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
728-437: The term has an entirely different usage, specifically referring to action games with a focus on 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. 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
756-548: Was released in 2012. It was followed by a digital-first prequel comic series, titled Darksiders II: Death's Door , later the same year. Hunt: Showdown was originally intended to be a spiritual successor to Darksiders . Hack and slash Hack and slash , also known as hack and slay ( H&S or HnS ) or slash 'em up , refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat with melee -based weapons (such as swords or blades). They may also feature projectile-based weapons as well (such as guns) as secondary weapons. It
784-402: Was released on Nintendo Switch on April 2, 2019. The second installment in the franchise set parallel with the first game, Darksiders II was released in 2012 for Microsoft Windows , PlayStation 3 , Wii U , and Xbox 360 , this time with the protagonist as Death, the second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse . Believing his brother War is innocent in his crimes, Death sets out to erase
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