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A game that uses a mixture of 2D & 3D techniques. Commonly used to describe the use of either 3D graphics restricted to a 2D perceptive, or 2D graphics used to fake the appearance of a 3D perceptive.
Sure, these days have almost every game sporting the newfangled 3D, but way back when, everyone had to live with plain old 2D. 2D, or two dimensions, limit the game to scrolling backgrounds, but some games even now make use of this basic concept.
Running at 60 FPS is standard for arcade & PC games, but hardware restrictions of consoles often force developers to aim for lower framerates in order to preserve visual detail or allow greater scale. 3D console games hitting 60 FPS are thus uncommon, though the trend of re-releasing games on newer hardware has technically resulted in more 3D console games hitting 60 FPS.
8-bit can be a reference to actual computing power, or it can be a retro look for videogames that want to recall a bygone era.
An AI companion is a computer-controlled ally who follows and aids you through your adventures or who requires your protection. The AI companion's survival is often essential to game and story progression.
Abilitease is an aspect of game design wherein a game will provide a glimpse of your full skill-set at or near the start, only to remove most of these skills, stats, and abilities soon after.
Achievements are extra challenges added into video games that sometimes carry a point value or unlock bonus material, and are sometimes solely for bragging rights.
Games that feature stages in which the player is forced to continually progress, chased by a relentless and lethal threat that covers the entire height/width of the screen.
A quick burst of speed either forward or backward whilst in the air.
Extraterrestrials appear in many video games in a variety of styles. Sometimes they're evil, sometimes they're benevolent, and sometimes they're very similar to humans.
Characters either begin with multiple outfits, unlock them through play, or purchase them as in-game items. These costumes are sometimes integral to play.
Instrumental music, often electronic, that does not follow conventional music structures, instead using various sounds to create a mood. Ambient music can evoke many different feelings in the listener, from tranquility to creeping dread.
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 dark power that is usually the cause for the world's strife. The curse can only be broken after the protagonist (or band of protagonists) defeats several dangerous trials.
When someone is androgynous, they have a mix of masculine and feminine aspects, or they have the appearance of being in between male and female. A common aesthetic in Japanese media and games.
Supernatural armor that moves on its own. This could be due to possession, magic or animatronics.
Using any form of input or interruption to cause a character's sprite or 3D animation for landing/attacking/etc to drop frames and stop early. This allows you to instantly keep moving or attacking rather than waiting for said animation to finish going through all its frames.
Anthropomorphism is the concept of an object, concept or character that has human qualities or traits, such as speech, a level of intelligence similar or higher than a human's and self consciousness. "Anthro" means "of human" and related to the concept of humanity.
A creature with characteristics of both a human and an arachnid, most often a spider or scorpion.
The End of Days. A concept often used in video games. In most games: the protagonists are working to prevent it, although sometimes the goal is to actually bring about Armageddon yourself.
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, commonly refers to the programmed behaviors of NPCs in a game, whether it's the fact that a soldier takes cover behind a wall in Gears of War, or that townspeople cheer upon your arrival to their village in Fable.
The game automatically saves for you when you reach certain points. Implemented in order to reduce frustration for forgetful savers.
A map that is updated in real-time as you play a level. Usually seen in FPSs and RPGs.
Videogame bosses, generally enormous ones, that take up the entire background of the screen you fight them on, usually only extending the body parts they attack with (and for some reason, their weak point) into the foreground where the player can interact with them.
Backtracking is the act of navigating through previously explored areas, usually for the purpose of progressing in an objective-based adventure game. Players who are lost may also backtrack to reorient themselves.
Neglectful and/or abusive parents and parental figures.
Bats are small, very social flying mammals. They may frequent caves or haunted houses.
A large omnivorous mammal that can be white, brown, or black. Despite their ferociousness, they are also associated with being soft and cuddly, as in teddy bears. Bears are also known to eat stairs. Scientists say that because "bears eat stairs" rhymes the bears are naturally inclined to do so.
Hiding items, rooms, and all kinds of things behind waterfalls is one of the oldest concepts in the history of games.
A family of vampire hunters and the sworn enemies of Dracula. They are the main protagonists of the Castlevania franchise.
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