GB Community, I need your expertise and help.

First of all, what would you call the feature in games where there is no HUD or numerical health bar? 

Visualized health? Contectual health?  I searched around the database and found nothing.

Second, and this is more fun, what are some of the best and worst examples of the implementation?

For worst, I am thinking Jurassic Park with the cleavage tattoo, or MW2's jam sandwich screen indicator.  Nonetheless, I am sure some better examples are out there, and I know you guys and gals know them.

Also, are there any best examples?

Worst Implementation- almost every game.
Best Implementation- I greatly prefer Vanquish's bullet-time to the average low-health warning de/saturation, although it does have that too.

I really enjoyed how health worked in the first Bad Company game. It's a dam shame that they cut it out of BC 2 to make it just like COD. Trying to find cover to pop that syringe, and the 3-4 second s that it took before you could get back to shooting, added a bit of strategy to the health instead of just duck and count to five.

The best is Dead Space and Dead Space 2

" 
Best Implementation- I greatly prefer Vanquish's bullet-time to the average low-health warning de/saturation, although it does have that too. "

i like to see a bar or number saying what your health is. back in the day that was the way it was. they changed it to flash screens. you had to pretty much stand back and wait for it to recharge and then jump back into action.

First of all, what would you call the feature in games where there is no HUD or numerical health bar?  

 Second, and this is more fun, what are some of the best and worst examples of the implementation?

" The best is Dead Space and Dead Space 2 "

@WalkerTR77:

Wow, great find that had completely slipped my mind.  That is an awesome early example.

As for the name of the concept, not too shabby there.

I'm actually writing a paper on visualizing health for using them in Fight 'em up games.

I also started searching into databases but its a dead end. So I just started to play all the games I have and watch gameplays on youtube.

Got to say that Knights Contract (http://www.giantbomb.com/knights-contract/61-31375/ ) has a rare health system: the main character is immortal but his sidekick (witch) does has health and if she's dead, its end game.

My worst one was until now GTA Vice: that little pinky bar was way to small but ok to use in his gameplay. But I ignored it so it had no use.

Also games I included: Doom, Dead Space, COD, Never Dead, American McGee’s Alice, Minecraft, Kingdom Hearts (sidekicks), etc.

@Snoky6: Dead space has a health bar. It's on his back.

@Snoky6: I'm really interested in this. Would love to read it when you are done.

@Snoky6 said:

I'm actually writing a paper on visualizing health for using them in Fight 'em up games.

I also started searching into databases but its a dead end. So I just started to play all the games I have and watch gameplays on youtube.

Several games use the condition of (player) characters' clothing or armor to display their health, without additional - or any - HUD elements like healthbars or -circles.

Some of these games are hidden on the Destructible Clothing page, for example: El Shaddai and Malicious.

Not sure how useful or functional that mechanic would be in the 'Fight 'em' up genre though.

We need more games with segmented regenerative health - one of the best ways to make health in my opinion - although it is hard to make without a proper indicator on the HUD.

As for the worst, I certainly have to agree with Trespasser for worst health, not only do you have turn the camera to see your health, but you also end up looking like a pervert and at the same time you can't see where any enemies might be...