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A powerful release of energy. This energy is usually expelled in all directions very quickly, typically giving off orange or red flames.
Scarring over the eye. Used by game developers to make a character appear more rugged and 'badass'.
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.
Enemies that prefer to keep a distance to the ground, and swoop down occasionally to do some damage.
Game Over originally appeared in pinball machines, and later, arcade machines. When players lose at a game, it is game over.
Magical creatures made of stone, resembling the grotesque statues commonly part of Gothic architecture such as the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
These spooky entities are the spirits of the dead, returned from beyond their graves for generally sinister purposes. There's generally about even odds whether a particular ghost will be helpful or malevolent towards the living, but some ghosts just want to be left alone entirely.
Ghouls are carrion eating undead creatures that dwell in graveyards and other lonely places. The stench of death surrounds these vile abominations wherever they go. Some Ghouls have been known to paralyse their victims with their manky claws.
More commonly known as a "time loop", these games feature events that force the players through the cycle of repeating one (or a few) day(s). This is often presented as the result of time travel or other strange phenomena.
You've made it to the end, but you can't get back to the title screen. You cannot skip the ending image. The only options are turning the console off or hitting reset.
Invisible or cleverly hidden doors just waiting to be discovered. Logically, Hidden Doors often lead to Hidden Rooms.
A common type of stage featured in many games. Slippery ice, avalanches, and freezing water are some of the unpleasantries to be had when visiting these cold arctic regions.
A gameplay mechanic allowing players to store their items and freely carry them around.
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.
Games released coinciding with new hardware.
A common type of stage based around the fire and/or lava element. Often platforming heavy and inhabited by fire-based enemies.
A leaderboard is a way for players of any multi-player game to know where they rank within the game's community.
The concept of lives in video games evolved to let the player get a second chance after failing once. The most recognizable symbol is the heart.
The single most important thing in the world, love is a powerful story telling element that can connect characters or drive a story. There are many video game characters who have fallen in love with someone or something.
The concept of affecting the universe through supernatural methods, breaking the fundamental laws of science.
A weapon that has been forged and/or imbued with mystical energy, magic, or some other supernatural force. It is often required to solve a specific puzzle, or vanquish an impossible foe.
Many games allow you to buy stuff, these are the dudes who help sell it to you. Typically they also engage in light conversation.
A box, chest, or similar reward beckons you to come near, but it is actually an enemy in disguise. Sometimes can be difficult to differentiate from a real treasure chest.
Multiple endings is a term used to describe different outcomes or conclusions to a game based on the previous actions of the player.
A boss fight in which the player must not only battle the actual boss, but must also defeat or defend against auxiliary enemies.
Options menus give you the option to change anything the game lets you change. Whether you want subtitles or not, sound effects or not, the game to be harder or not, anything you want that the game lets you change, you can change in the options menu.
It is common in Japanese video games (and other media) for the Moon to appear much bigger than it is in real life. This is usually happens when a main or villain character is standing with the Moon shining behind them for dramatic effect.
A Palette Swap is when two or more characters share the same style sprite or character model with only minor color or cosmetic changes. Although visually similar, palette swap characters may have very different moves and personalities.
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.
Who needs 2D when we've got 3D? 3D, or 3 dimensions, is what we're used to seeing in almost every game these days, letting us do all sorts of awesome stuff like run in circles!
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