DmC Devil May Cry

Hack and Slash

A term that can be used to refer to RPGs that focus more on the action, or brawler action games which focus on hack & slash gameplay.

Harpy

A winged creature from Greek mythology with the body of a bird and the head of a woman. Generally depicted as a winged woman with grotesque features with a mind full of bad habits.

Havok Physics

Havok Physics (Havok) is a physics API developed by Irish company Havok and released in 2000. It is used in video games as a physics engine, allowing for realistic interactions between in-game entities.

HD Remasters

HD Remaster is a term to a single game that has been updated to conform with the HD standards on that console.

Heads Up Display

A heads-up display is a graphical overlay of vital information used in most modern games.

Health

Health is a value that gauges how much damage players can take in a game before they die or pass out. Also known as life in some games. Health is usually represented by a bar or a percentage instead of an exact amount. Found in most non sport games

Henchman

Henchmen are the loyal grunts caught in between the player and the main antagonist. Without them every game would be nothing more than a boss battle.

High Definition Graphics

A console game is high definition if it operates at a resolution of at least 720p, or 1280x720. A console able to achieve this resolution is HD-capable. For a variety of reasons, the term does not apply to PC games.

Horde Mode

"Horde" is a type of multiplayer game mode in which players battle co-operatively against increasingly difficult waves of computer-controlled enemies.

Human

Humans are bipedal, sapient primates capable of abstract reasoning, language, and emotions.

Humble Bundle

A digital storefront which donates some of its profits to charity.

In-Game Achievement Menu

A list of games that have their own in-game graphical achievement menu. Used for showing current progress towards achievements or trophies.

In-Game Compliment

In game compliments are whenever a game compliments you, be it the announcer or when something on screen tells you.

In-Game Tutorial Videos

When a picture just can't get the point across, teach with videos.

Inventory

A gameplay mechanic allowing players to store their items and freely carry them around.

Invisibility

The ability for the player to become unseen, from basic camouflage to fully vanishing from sight.

Item Throw

Take an item and throw it at the enemy.

Journalist

A reporter for a news-outlet, whether it be as a writer or photographer.

Juggling

This is a concept in fighting or other action games of attacking an enemy in order to keep the enemy in the air, unable to fight back. This is also a tactic in tower defense games of keeping the enemy on the battlefield longer by manipulating towers.

Jump

It's arguably the one move that symbolizes the medium to those outside it. The ability to jump, be it onto a building, a platform, or a skull, is one of the all time most important abilities ever put in a video game.

Kill Streak

A number of kills without a suffering a death.

Knights Templar

A Christian military order from the middle ages, known for their skilled warriors wearing white mantles with an emblem of a red cross.

Launching Enemies Into the Air

In some action oriented videogames, the player is able to launch enemies into the air, and can sometimes proceed with follow-up attacks.

Lens Flare

Lens Flare is a dynamic graphical effect that emulates visual artifacts that can appear on an image captured by a camera with a lens. This effect is not limited only to sunlight.

Letter Grade at the End of a Level

Level Selection

Games that allow the player to choose which level to play next, rather than a fixed linear order.

Licensed Soundtrack

Games that incorporate licensed music from popular bands and musicians for their soundtracks.

Light Bloom

A graphical effect used in video games where an object blocks light and around the edges of the object the light is significantly brighter than normal.

Living Springboard

The Enemy Step mechanic allows the player to jump off enemies.

Loading Screen

Loading Screens are specific screens that are displayed while a game is loading resources so that the player has something to distract them while the game loads. Loading Screens can be images, text or even mini-games - and sometimes a combination of all three.