Dark Savior

2D Characters in a 3D Scenario

Games where the characters are 2D bitmap images (sprites), but the environment and scenarios are made in a 3-Dimensional space. This technique was commonly used on consoles like the PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Nintendo DS. Many 90's First-Person Shooters and early 3D RPGs also used this technique. Some used it as a stylistic choice like Paper Mario and Rakugaki Showtime.

A.I. Companion

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.

Action RPG

Action RPG (Action Role-Playing Game), also known as ARPG, refers to RPGs (role-playing games) that use direct, real-time, reflex-oriented, action combat systems, instead of the more abstract turn-based or menu-based battle systems.

Advancing Wall of Doom

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.

Alert

Alert is a state a game may enter after the player has been overtly detected by enemies, and often brings increased enemy opposition (in numbers, aggression, etc.) while a cooldown timer or meter appears by which the player can gauge the expiration of Alert.

Anthropomorphism

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.

Attack Dog

Sick 'em, boy!

Attributes

Attributes are a numerical representation of a character's abilities who have their roots in RPGs. Today, attributes have spilled over to a wide range of game genres.

Bad Endings

Video games stories with a bad ending or endings, in which the primary conflict is unable to be resolved and/or a bad fate befalls the protagonist.

Banter During Gameplay

When characters make conversation during normal gameplay, rather than a dialog-focused scene.

Bats

Bats are small, very social flying mammals. They may frequent caves or haunted houses.

Battle Screen

A mechanic used mainly in Japanese RPGs of both the action and turn-based variety.

Bears

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.

Birds

Winged, usually flying creatures, many of which enjoy perching on branches and defecating on unfortunate victims below.

Black Market

The Black Market is a concept wherein players may buy or sell items through alternative means. This is often a way to make more money but can often land the player into trouble.

Block Puzzle

The concept of moving blocks around to certain areas such as highlighted squares, or switches, or in order to get past a maze.

Blocking

The ability to stop or reduce the damage from an oncoming attack.

Boss Fight

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.

Boulder Getaway

Boulders that one has to escape are often implemented in games as a homage to Indiana Jones.

Bounty Hunter

A person who captures or kills fugitives for money.

Branching Story Line

Games that let you choose the path you take through the story-line.

Buddy Jump

The act of using your buddy as a platform to reach higher ground or cover more distance.

Butt Attack

A character who attacks with their buttocks. Most common in fighting games. Not to be confused with the act of attacking somebody's butt.

Button Mashing

Button Mashing is a term used to describe gameplay where certain skills can be only realized explicitly through mashing buttons, a reckless player trying to get results or when the game rewards the player(s) who bash buttons the fastest. The latter example is common in Party Games.

Cage Match

When a venue in a fighting or wrestling game is enclosed around the combatants. This generally prevents ring-outs.

Camera Control

The ability for a player to control the motion and direction of the in-game camera.

Can't Swim

Some game characters just cannot swim. This usually means automatic death as soon as they hit the water.

Carry Another Character

Cel-Shading

A style of animation that gives games a more hand drawn look.

Charge

Charging is the action of pressing & holding down a button or particular direction on the controller. Its purpose is to build up a powerful blast or burst of energy to take out an opponent or cause critical damage.