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An often used plot device where the main character wakes up and has lost all their memories. The game usually centers around getting your memory back or uncovering the events that lead to your confusion.
The physical and mental turmoil that a person may encounter as a result of a traumatic or otherwise extremely stressful situation.
A protagonist who lacks some or all of the qualities traditionally seen as heroic.
The inverse of an anti-hero. An anti-villain is a villain that portrays him/herself as someone who is just and altruistic while is secretly working towards an otherwise nefarious and villainous goal. Common archetypes of anti-villains are politicians and religious figures who craft a wholesome and good-natured image to hide their evil intentions; this may even sometimes include doing good deeds, but only as a temporary measure to potentially further their true ambitions.
The Beauty and the Beast unit is an elite section of female soldiers who suffered from crippling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and were then given special suits to turn them into incredible soldiers. They serve as Liquid Ocelot's most powerful enforcers in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
In video games, breaking the fourth wall occurs when a game becomes aware of its nature as a game, or when a character directly acknowledges the player.
The ultimate enemy and primordial source of all evil. In Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy universe.
The act of a noble, just, or otherwise good or heroic figure becoming evil through either external manipulation or an internal shift in beliefs or desires.
A member of the protagonist's group who is spontaneous and unpredictable. This is usually for comedic reasons or shock value.
The head of a group of devout people who follow their crazy beliefs. Can often be dangerous.
Daemons are Warp entities and servants of the Chaos Gods.
Games that look at the darker side of fairy tales. American McGee's Alice is an excellent example of one.
Blurred vision, switching of assets, suddenly slowed or accelerated time or other ways a game can purposefully disorient the player or character.
Although killing or being killed has been one of the most universal mechanics in games through the years, in some games players or their foes merely faint instead.
Somewhat of a cross between Amnesia and Insanity, this is where a character replaces their own real original identity with a new false identity (i.e. a false reality/persona/memories), usually caused by either internal psychological trauma or external brainwashing.
Interdimensional eldritch beings that resemble giant babies with teeth, from the game Drakengard.
When a conscious character perceives something that either does not exist or is a contorted reality manifested by the character's unstable psyche.
In Eternal Darkness, the Horror is a lumbering nightmarish creature with three heads. It has the power to drain either health, magick or sanity.
A method of attempting to scare the player by the sudden unexpected occurrence of an event - often accompanied by some sort of audio sting.
The greatest of Tzeentch's Daemons, appearing as large, monstrous vulture-men with near-unparalleled mastery of magic.
They may be good or evil, but mad scientists are always performing experiments that are on the outer fringes of science. Ever since Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, they've been in the scene.
A clan of vampires known for their insanity... their unstable minds are a curse and a blessing, giving them unique insight into the thoughts of others.
Somebody wrote or drew a message on the wall, maybe it was in blood, maybe they had a marker handy; but now here you are, reading it.
This page is about the concept of Multiple Personalities, also known as Split Personalities. This is the concept of a single physical body being host to many separate identities. Isn't that right, Zach?
Murder is the act of ending the life of another living thing against its will without the sanction of a higher governmental authority, such as the casualties that result from acts of war. It is generally intentional, at least in a legal meaning, but not necessarily.
A narcissist is a person that is obsessed with one's own looks or who has an egomaniacal sense of self-importance.
Mostly found in RPGs, these are status ailments that continue outside of battle.
Poké Maniac are the obsessed fans within the Pokemon world. In later games they dress up as their Pokemon companion, which includes charizard and pikachu.
A poltergeist is a soulless spirit that is invisible to the human eye. It manifests itself by moving and manipulating objects.
Psychic abilities are featured in many different video games and in many forms, from the PSI powers of Ness from Earthbound to the mind-reading abilities of Psycho Mantis from Metal Gear Solid.
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