Hack and slash or
hack and slay, abbreviated
H&S or
HnS, refers to a type of
gameplay that emphasizes combat. The term "hack and slash" was originally used to describe a play style in
tabletop role-playing games, carrying over from there to
MUDs,
MMORPGs, and
role-playing video games. In
console- and
arcade-style video games, the usage specifically implies a focus on combat with
hand-to-hand weapons as opposed to guns. In other contexts, it is more general, and an
archer or unarmed
martial artist may participate as fully in a hack and slash game, or be as hack-and-slash oriented as an individual such as an armed
melee fighter. Both variations of the term are often written in hyphenated form and with the conjunction contracted, e.g.
hack-and-slash,
hack 'n' slay.