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Battle system associated with Final Fantasy series. First introduced in Final Fantasy IV.
An often used plot device where the main character wakes up and has lost all their memories. The game usually centers around getting your memory back or uncovering the events that lead to your confusion.
A mechanic used mainly in Japanese RPGs of both the action and turn-based variety.
When the player character (re)visits a certain area or location that was also present in a previous game, or visited later on in the same game, with some alterations.
Betrayal is when a person breaks the trust and faith that others have placed in them.
In many RPGs, especially those made in Japan, magic is categorized as black or white. Black magic spells deal damage or inflict negative effects.
The concept of moving blocks around to certain areas such as highlighted squares, or switches, or in order to get past a maze.
A boss fight is a culminating challenge that pits the player against one or more enemies representing a greater threat and/or difficulty than those previously faced. These scenarios typically feature unique antagonists.
In video games, breaking the fourth wall occurs when a game becomes aware of its nature as a game, or when a character directly acknowledges the player.
When a character from an existing media franchise makes a brief appearance in a video game, sometimes without even openly acknowledging their origins.
A game where cards are used to fight your enemies, or one where you make a "deck" with different abilites. Some examples are Culdcept Saga, Yggdra Union, and Phantom Dust.
Many games have had collectible cards as a part of the gameplay.
While modern chemistry defines 118 atomic elements, video games more often deal with classical elements as described in ancient philosophy, mainly fire, water, earth, and air. In many games, each element is stronger against certain elements, but weaker against others.
The 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on May 11-13. This was the 10th annual E3.
The 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on May 10-12.
Experience Points are part of a character advancement system commonly found in RPGs. These points are generally gained by defeating an enemy or completing a task.
You may think you know who you are playing as, but do you?
Finishing moves are typically moves that end a fight in a traditional fighting game.
Flashbacks take a player into a flashback sequence. Often playable, but not always.
It's not just for airplanes anymore: Game mascots and MMO players alike have taken to the skies. Players can use flight to quickly navigate large levels, find hidden items, or take opponents down.
Floating Islands are land masses (anywhere from island size to continental size) that float either by the use of magic or some other force.
Foreshadowing is a plot device that allows the creators to leave subtle (or not-so-subtle) hints about future events in the game.
Picking the gender of your character can help immerse you in the game world. Sometimes this leads to different abilities in-game, sometimes it means nothing at all.
This concept involves a character of the hero archetype that at some point in the storyline, turns against the forces of good and becomes evil or is revealed to have done this in secret at some point in the past.
Enemies in RPGs that are visible on the overworld map and that are engaged in combat when touched. Examples include Earthbound and Paper Mario.
The concept of affecting the universe through supernatural methods, breaking the fundamental laws of science.
Sometimes we will go a whole game without knowing the true name of a protagonist. Oftentimes, this is remedied by unique references being made towards the protagonist, such as "The Wanderer," "The Kid," or "The Man With no Name."
A system in which the player is allowed to control multiple characters. Most commonly seen in role playing games. Can also be used to describe party systems in the MMORPG genre, which brings a group of players together to accomplish various tasks.
Whether it's taking pictures of things for points or as part of a journal, photography is playing an ever increasing role in many of today's video games.
A narrative that takes an unexpected turn. Commonly, plot twists come in the form of revealing that the player character is not actually who they thought.
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