History Main / RecurringElement

* ''Franchise/{{Metro}}'' has the Moscow Metro and Moscow itself as the game's main setting. The series often takes place underground and at some point above the surface, usually where it is irradiated and require a gas mask. However, some examples in the series [[SubvertedTrope subvert]] this trope.

** [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]] in ''Exodus''' first DLC ''The Two Colonels''. While the game follows the same trademark Metro setting as its predecessor games, it takes place in Novosibirsk instead of Moscow.

*** Demon origin and physiology. In most games, demons are lifeforms made out of Magnetite or Aether (sometimes called Magatsuhi in specific games), a normally unobservable substance within all things which react to human thoughts and gather in human bodies. How much humans influence the nature of demons vary: [[DeityOfMortalCreation sometimes demons are entirely reliant on human thought]], other times humans merely influenced them but is not strictly needed for their genesis. Other games like ''VideoGame/LastBible'' and ''VideoGame/DevilChildren'', forego this concept entirely, with demons being races of supernatural beings who exist alongside with, and independent of, humanity.
*** Makai or Demon World is a plane of existence comprising of data or information and Magnetite where demons reside, a form of AnotherDimension linked to the physical world. The nature of this "information plane" often vary between continuities, which result in different phenomena occurring across the games; for example, in ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney Strange Journey]]'', the information realm was formed as a result of development of sentient life on Earth, whereas in ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor2'', the information plane exists prior to and governs the physical universe. In most games Makai is usually implied or stated to be attached to a single universe (notably as late as ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiV''), whereas in ''IV'' and ''Apocalypse'', Makai is also a form of VoidBetweenTheWorlds which connect universes born from splits in timeline. Perhaps not coincidentally, Makai is typically localized with different names across different continuities, as they generally are distinct from each other despite sharing a name (in Japanese) and a number of similarities.

*** The collective consciousness is often implied if not outright stated to exist in many games as the origin of gods, demons, and the information plane where they reside. However, how exactly it came into being and how much influence it has on the physical universe it was formed in vary between continuities; in some games such as ''Nocturne'', it is stated to exist but have nowhere near the same level of influence on reality as in other games such as ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' and ''Apocalypse'', to the point Personas and Shadows only exist as minor demons.
*** Given the franchise runs on AlternateContinuity and TheMultiverse, how the principles of Kabbalah can be applied to understanding the cosmos also vary across the games. What is considered Ein Sof (the ultimate underlying origin so far removed from all of creation to the point it can be considered non-existent from the perspective of the created), or the 10 Sefirot (the structure of how the divine creative energy is expressed to form and sustain creation) in one universe might not necessarily apply to another, even if both are within the same continuity; there is no single interpretation applicable to all of them.
*** The cycle of death and reincarnation is implied to be present in many games. But its nature and rules might change from game to game. In some games, it applies to individual human souls and demons. In others, it applies to entire ''universes''. Whether or not the cycle exists as a fundamental process of reality in and of itself, or simply artificially set in place by powerful beings also vary; in certain games, the cycle of transmigration is considered so intrinsic to reality, [[spoiler:escaping it turns you into a godlike being who can transcend dimensions]], with entities as powerful as YHVH even forced to go the extra mile if he wants to kill souls of problematic individuals permanently.

** Games directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki all feature a character named Patches who will place the player in a death trap, then desperately apologize after they escape and offer to sell them things. No matter what version of Patches you're dealing with, he will be a coward and he hates the clergy (with the exception of ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'', where he is a cleric himself. (''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'', not directed by Miyazaki, included a very similar character named "Pate" instead.)

** One of the first characters you meet in the hub world is a crestfallen warrior who's lost motivation for venturing the land. Most of them meet their demise in one way or another, with [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsII Saulden]] being a major exception. ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' plays with it a bit by making its Crestfalllen a girl, Roderika, and giving her her own sidequest.

** Also starting from said game, there is a gratuitous [[Manga/{{Berserk}} Guts]] {{Expy}} as a boss in one of each game's [=DLCs=] (Artorias, Raime, [[spoiler: The Orphan of Kos]], [[spoiler: Gael]]), although there's actually a bit of a twist in that each one reflects different aspects of Guts.
** Dark Souls DLC will also have a dragon {{Superboss}}- Kalameet for 1, Sinh for 2, and Midir for 3.

*** The vast majority of the Demon Compendium is always transplanted from game to game wholesale, but the only demons who appear in ''all'' games, and always with the exact same appearance, are Creator/{{Atlus}} mascots [[MascotMook Jack Frost]] and its close relatives. Much like the Chokobo example at the top of this page, Jack Frost had a different design in the [[VideoGame/MegamiTensei first]] [[VideoGame/MegamiTenseiII two]] [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness games]]. When the games were remade as a bundle for [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem the SNES]], Jack Frost was given his modern design.

*** Makai or Demon World is a plane of existence comprising of data or information and Magnetite where demons reside, a form of AnotherDimension linked to the physical world. The nature of this "information plane" often vary between continuities, which result in different phenomena occurring across the games; for example, in ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney Strange Journey]]'', the information realm was formed as a result of development of sentient life on Earth, whereas in ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor2'', the information plane exists prior to and governs the physical universe. In most games Makai is usually implied or stated to be attached to a single universe (notably as late as''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiV''), whereas in ''IV'' and ''Apocalypse'', Makai is also a form of VoidBetweenTheWorlds which connect universes born from splits in timeline. Perhaps not coincidentally, Makai is typically localized with different names across different continuities, as they generally are distinct from each other despite sharing a name (in Japanese) and a number of similarities.

*** The cycle of death and reincarnation are implied to be present in many games even when they are not playing a huge role. But the form and nature of it might change from game to game. In some games, it applies to individual human souls and demons. In others, it applies to entire ''universes''. Whether or not they are an inescapable law of reality in and of itself, or simply set in place by powerful beings and thus breakable also vary -- in certain games, the cycle of transmigration is considered such a fundamental rule that breaking free of it [[spoiler:turns you into a godlike being who can transcend dimensions]], with entities as powerful as YHVH even forced to go the extra mile if he wants to kill souls of problematic individuals permanently.

*** All the core games since ''[=B2W2=]'' have an animated adaption of the upcoming or previous games released during the pre-release season, usually targeted towards the franchise's older audience. Both ''[[=B2W2=]]'' and ''ORAS'' received short animated trailers, while ''XY'' and ''SM'' received the miniseries of ''Anime/PokemonOrigins'' and ''WebAnimation/PokemonGenerations'' respectively.

** You start in a small town, where you live with your mom. Somewhere in or near the town will be a portly NPC who extols the virtues of technology and science. You meet your rival, a Pokémon Professor (named after a tree) gives you one of three starters - Grass, Fire and Water, and your rival gets the superior type. Then you get five Poké Balls, a Pokédex, and a mission to catch 'em all (with a tutorial on how to do so). Averted in [[VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 B2W2]], because you live in a big city with your mom and a Pokémon Professor's assistant will give you and your rival one of three starters.

** An early game forest dominated by Bug-types. How early you can access them depends on the generation. [=B2W2=] averts this by making the region's forest a post game area instead due to how those games switched the orders on which cities you have access to from BW. SM's forest is located much later on in the game, rather than at the beginning.

*** [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Alola]] [[SubvertedTrope doesn't have badges]], or even Gyms, for that matter. [[DoubleSubversion Beat a trial first.]]

*** All the core games since [=B2W2=] have an animated adaption of the upcoming or previous games released during the pre-release season, usually targeted towards the franchise's older audience. Both [[=B2W2=]] and ORAS received short animated trailers, while XY and SM received the miniseries of ''Anime/PokemonOrigins'' and ''WebAnimation/PokemonGenerations'' respectively.
*** Starting from 3rd Generation, a third legendary that is always part-dragon to accompany the two mascot legendaries. This doesn't happen in Generation VII[[spoiler:, except that while Necrozma normally is a mere Psychic Pokémon, in ''Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon'', it has an alternate form which '''is''' part Dragon.]]

*** ''Phantom Blood'' and ''Battle Tendency'' have the Stone Mask, a mask made of stone created by the ancient Pillar Men that can turn its user into a vampire.

** ''Phantom Blood'' and ''Battle Tendency'' have the Stone Mask, a mask made of stone created by the ancient Pillar Men that can turn its user into a vampire.
** ''Stardust Crusaders'', ''Diamond is Unbreakable'', ''Golden Wind'' and, to a much lesser extent, ''Stone Ocean'', have the arrows, created from a meteorite, that can induce the development of powers in the people they pierce, either granting them Stands or upgrading the power of Stands.
** ''Steel Ball Run'' has the Devil's Palm, a supernatural phenomena that happens near the corpse's parts. It is a small desert surrounded by 5 rock formations resembling fingers that often grant Stands to the people that enter it.
** ''Jojolion'' has the Wall Eyes, strange earth formations that cause holes in the cliffsides which may induce Stand abilities. A specific part of the ground of Morioh will also have the power to cause any two objects to switch properties or even to merge.
** ''The Jojolands'' has the Lava Rock, a mysterious rock that attracts wealth to the owner through contrived coincidences and mind control.

* In ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' when Stands are introduced, the main villain will have a Time themed Stand (Parts 3-6). They include stopping time, rewinding time, erasing time, and fast forwarding time. In addition, the main character's Stand will be able to perform a [[RapidFireFisticuffs Rush Attack]] and emit some form of [[{{Kiai}} Stand Cry]], usually "ORA ORA ORA!"

** In each series, the group is always formed slowly over the course of the first season, with some hesitating at first before joining after being throughly convinced.

* Yoko Taro certainly loves his DeconstructorFleet for [=JRPG=]'s in ''Franchise/{{Drakengard}}'', and this always appears in his works:

* Douglas Coupland's books recycle small elements in different ways:

** The StudentCouncilPresident[[note]]Eli, Dia, Shioriko[[/note]] will always start as an ObstructiveBureaucrat who has a a personal motive to not allow the main group to become school idols and interfere even after they're officially formed. Eventually she will resolve this and join the group.

** Every series until ''Anime/YuGiOhGoRush'' has the first Duel involve the protagonist defeating an opponent with a 3000-ATK monster, in homage to Yugi's original victory against Blue-Eyes.

** Plue is a [[CallASmeerpARabbit ball-headed carrot-nosed "dog"]] who has appeared in a bulk of Mashima's work, dating all the way back to his first official manga, ''Magician''. His most prominent role by far is in ''Rave Master'' as the SeriesMascot, while he's had progressively minor roles in ''Fairy Tail'' and ''Edens Zero'', where he's alternatively known as Nikora. He's often the subject of a RunningGag where characters mistake him for some other species, or at least question how he's supposed to be a dog.
** Sieg Hart from ''Rave Master'' has a "tradition" of being used as a ReusedCharacterDesign template, usually for WellIntentionedExtremist heroes or villains who eventually ally themselves with the heroes. He has since made appearances as two separate characters in ''Fairy Tail''--Jellal[=/=][[MythologyGag Siegrain]] and Mystogan--and as Justice in ''Edens Zero''.

** Etherion, a highly destructive magical power. In ''Rave Master'', it's the ultimate magic that has the capacity to either save or destroy the entire world, and central to the plot as a whole. In ''Fairy Tail'', it's a magical KillSat used by the Magic Council that can wipe out nations. In ''Edens Zero'', it's the secret weapon of the titular ship.
** The Oración Seis are a team of six villains who stand among the stronger enemies in the series. In ''Rave Master'' (where they're renamed the Oracion Six), they're the elite generals of Demon Card, the main antagonistic force of the series. In ''Fairy Tail'', they're one of the three strongest dark guilds in the kingdom. In ''Edens Zero'', they're ''two'' groups of six warriors each who are each capable of destroying a planet on their own; the "Galáctica" are the six most well-known warlords of the cosmos, while the "Interestelar" are the six strongest members of the [[SpaceNavy Interstellar Union Army]] meant to act as a counter to the former.
** Mildian, a mystical place usually associated with time. In ''Rave Master'', it's a town of sorcerers and mages who aim to prevent a TimeCrash. In ''Fairy Tail'', it's an ancient civilization where many of the series' known time spells originated, and whose people have worshiped a god of time. In ''Edens Zero'', it's a planet that [[YearInsideHourOutside exists outside of normal time]], and home to an oracle that can see the past, present, and future.

** One person will be killed immediately after expressing character development, and it always happens during the third chapter.

** Barring ''[[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds 5Ds]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS VRAINS]]'', every series features a rival character with a MoralityPet younger brother. The original series had Kaiba and Mokuba, ''[[Anime/YuGiOhGX GX]]'' had Ryo and Sho, ''[[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL ZEXAL]]'' had Kaito and Haruto, and ''[[Anime/YuGiOhARCV ARC-V]]'' had Reiji and Reira. [[spoiler: The last one has a twist, though: Reira is not only adopted, but is also a female.]]
** It is also very common for rival characters to have an ace dragon monster with 3000 attack points. The sole exception to this is Declan from ''ARC-V''.

* Television writer/producer Creator/RussellTDavies tends to assign the same surnames to main characters in his series. For example, there are characters named "Tyler" in ''Revelations'', ''Series/QueerAsFolk'', ''Series/BobAndRose'' and ''Series/DoctorWho''. See also Smith, Cooper, Jones and Harkness.

** The ''VideoGame/AgeOfWonders'' series has Dire Penguins. They're always evil to the core and often extremely deadly in water battles.

** A very [[{{Fanservice}} Fanservicey]] woman wearing {{Stripperiffic}} clothing who hates her current circumstances and is a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Kaine, Zero, 2B and A2.
*** A romance between two of the above that is doomed to fail for one reason or another. [[spoiler:Caim and his sister due to his rejection on the grounds that he finds incest disgusting, Nier and Kaine because of circumstances, and 2B and 9S due to the InLoveWithTheMark relationship they share]].

*** Finally, given the franchise runs on AlternateContinuity and TheMultiverse, how the principles of Kabbalah can be applied to understanding the cosmos also vary across the games. What is considered Ein Sof (the ultimate underlying origin so far removed from all of creation to the point it can be considered non-existent from the perspective of the created), or the 10 Sefirot (the structure of how the divine creative energy is expressed to form and sustain creation) in one universe might not necessarily apply to another, even if both are within the same continuity; there is no single interpretation applicable to all of them.

*** Makai or Demon World is a plane of existence comprising of data or information and Magnetite where demons reside, a form of AnotherDimension linked to the physical world. The nature of this "information plane" often vary between continuities, which result in different phenomena occurring across the games; for example, in ''[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney Strange Journey]]'', the information realm was formed as a result of development of sentient life on Earth, whereas in ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor2'', the information plane exists prior to and governs the physical universe. In ''IV'' and ''Apocalypse'', Makai is also a form of VoidBetweenTheWorlds which connect universes born from splits in timeline, whereas in other games Makai is usually implied or stated to be attached to a single universe (notably ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiV''). Perhaps not coincidentally, Makai is typically localized with different names across different continuities, as they generally are distinct from each other despite sharing a name (in Japanese) and a number of similarities.

*** The existence of collective consciousness is often implied if not outright stated in many games, as the origin of gods, demons, and the information plane where they reside. However, how exactly it came into being and how much influence it has on the physical universe it was formed in vary between continuities; in some games such as ''Nocturne'', it is stated to exist but have nowhere near the same level of influence on reality as in other games such as ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' and ''Apocalypse'', to the point Personas and Shadows only exist as minor demons.

*** Demon physiology. In most games, demons are generally lifeforms made out of Magnetite (sometimes called Magatsuhi in some games and Aether in others), a normally unobservable substance within all things which react to human thoughts and gather in human bodies, given form and identity by human beliefs. This is ''not'' the case in the ''VideoGame/LastBible'' and ''VideoGame/DevilChildren'' universes, in which demons are races of beings who exist alongside with, and independent of, humanity.

** The hero will [[GogglesDoNothing wear goggles on his forehead]], have ShonenHair, wear blue clothes[[note]]with the exception of [[Anime/DigimonDataSquad Masaru]][[/note]] and be partnered with a lizard-dinosaur-dragon {{mon}}, who will undergo some form of temporary evolution (often a corrupted, undesirable one) [[SuperEmpowering invoked by]] their humans.