Follow TV Tropes

Following

History VideoGame / Helltaker

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None





* AnimationBump: Most of the full-body views of the demons are just still images that switch between each other. However, there are a few cases of actual animation:
** When the player reaches Lucifer, she swirls her wine in her hand before her skeleton guards appear, before slowly looking at the player.

to:

* AnimationBump: Most of the full-body views of the demons are just still images portraits that switch between each other. However, there are a few cases of actual animation:
** When the player reaches Lucifer, she swirls her wine in her hand before her skeleton guards appear, before slowly looking at the player.protagonist.



** Similarly, the final boss of the Examtaker levels creates a checkpoint after registering each hit. And since Examtaker as a whole is much harder, it makes facing the final boss much less frustrating.

to:

** Similarly, the final boss of the Examtaker levels creates a checkpoint after registering each hit. And since Examtaker ''Examtaker'' as a whole is much harder, it makes facing eliminates the final boss much less frustrating.MarathonBoss sensation.



* ButThouMust: After clearing parts of Chapter X, any choice you make will lead to the same outcome, including the final choice. Also, either choice made with Justice, the Awesome Demon counts as correct.

to:

* ButThouMust: After clearing parts of Chapter X, any choice you make will lead to the same outcome, including the final choice. Also, either any choice made with Justice, the Awesome Demon counts as correct.



* CuteMonsterGirl: All of the demons are fairly attractive women with horns and tails, with the exception of Cerberus, who is instead one soul inhabiting a trio of LittleBitBeastly bodies with dog ears and tails, and Beelzebub, a massive fly-like AnimalisticAbomination [[spoiler: [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith until the secret ending]]]].
* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: While running out of moves on any puzzle or running out of health on the FinalBoss results in death, you get infinite lives to try and solve them. The aforementioned boss even has checkpoints so you don't get set back too much if you die.

to:

* CuteMonsterGirl: All of the demons are fairly attractive women with horns and tails, with the exception of Cerberus, who is instead one soul inhabiting a trio of LittleBitBeastly bodies with dog ears and tails, and Beelzebub, a massive fly-like AnimalisticAbomination [[spoiler: [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith [[spoiler:[[AFormYouAreComfortableWith until the secret ending]]]].
* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: While running out of moves on any puzzle or running out of health on the FinalBoss results in death, you get infinite lives to try and solve them. The aforementioned boss even has checkpoints so you don't get set back too much if you die.upon failure.



* FissionMailed: The end of Chapter IX has the player suddenly experiencing a "bad ending" like they would have gotten if they picked the wrong dialogue option for the other girls, before continuing into second part.

to:

* FissionMailed: The end of Chapter IX has the player suddenly experiencing a "bad ending" like they would have gotten if they picked the wrong dialogue option for the other girls, before continuing into the second part.



* InterfaceScrew: A minor example, but all puzzles can be skipped in the menu, except the second part in Chapter IX (as technically it isn't even a puzzle) where the option instead reads "There is no escape!" and cannot be selected. [[spoiler: But it CAN be skipped in the chapter select...]]

to:

* InterfaceScrew: A minor example, but all puzzles can be skipped in the menu, except the second part in Chapter IX (as technically it isn't even a puzzle) where the option instead reads "There is no escape!" and cannot be selected. [[spoiler: But [[spoiler:But it CAN be skipped in the chapter select...]]



** At the end of Chapter VI, trying to hit on Azazel by saying that you're looking for angels has her misunderstand and take the Helltaker to Heaven, meaning he's forced to give up on assembling a demonic harem.
** The normal ending is achieved by playing the game normally and speaking to the police at the end of the PlayableEpilogue to deal with [[NoodleIncident whatever legal trouble Cerberus got themselves into]].

to:

** At the end of Chapter VI, trying to hit on Azazel by saying that you're looking for angels has her misunderstand and take the Helltaker to Heaven, meaning he's forced to give up on assembling a demonic harem.
** The normal ending is achieved by playing the game normally and speaking to the police at the end of the PlayableEpilogue to deal with [[NoodleIncident whatever legal trouble Cerberus got themselves into]].



* DarkerAndEdgier: Slightly. Most of the original's humor is kept in the DLC, though it does away with the harem building and puts you in the shoes of an angry human-demon hybrid who must survive the tests of a MadScientist in her lab. Plus, the full story reveals that [[spoiler: Azazel has taken over Hell some time in the future, rechristening herself as the Loremaster and reducing Justice and Lucifer to her servants.]]
* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:During the final phase of the final boss, the easy to dodge ChestBlaster attack that finishes the first two phases is now accompanied by attacks from the horizontal laser emitters. Any player that thinks the fight is essentially over once it gets to that point is destined for a terrible surprise]].

to:

* DarkerAndEdgier: Slightly. Most of the original's humor is kept in the DLC, though it does away with the harem building and puts you in the shoes of an angry human-demon hybrid who must survive the tests of a MadScientist in her lab. Plus, the full story reveals that [[spoiler: Azazel [[spoiler:Azazel has taken over Hell some time in the future, rechristening herself as the Loremaster and reducing Justice and Lucifer to being her servants.]]
* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:During the final phase of the final boss, the easy to dodge ChestBlaster attack that finishes the first two phases is now accompanied by attacks from the horizontal laser emitters. Any player that thinks Players thinking the fight is essentially over once it gets to that point is are destined for a terrible surprise]].



* ShoutOut: Loremaster's experimentations on demons, the sterile grey-white lab environments, plus the offer of apple pie as a reward for passing her tests, makes the Examtaker DLC a pretty good VideoGame/{{Portal}} reference.

to:

* ShoutOut: Loremaster's experimentations on demons, the sterile grey-white lab environments, plus the offer of apple pie as a reward for passing her tests, makes the Examtaker DLC a pretty good VideoGame/{{Portal}} ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' reference.



* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:Loremaster and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending, where Helltaker leaves to be with Beelzebub.]]

to:

* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:Loremaster and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending, where the Helltaker leaves to be with Beelzebub.]]

Added: 346

Removed: 331

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* RealityEnsues: By the Epilogue, the Helltaker learns that having a harem of demon girls does not stop them from constantly misbehaving, bossing him around, wrecking his stuff, and stabbing him in the back (oftentimes literally). Beelzebub says that since life is already full of suffering, he may as well enjoy himself sometimes.


Added DiffLines:

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: By the Epilogue, the Helltaker learns that having a harem of demon girls does not stop them from constantly misbehaving, bossing him around, wrecking his stuff, and stabbing him in the back (oftentimes literally). Beelzebub says that since life is already full of suffering, he may as well enjoy himself sometimes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* TarotMotifs: Two of the demons, Justice and Judgement, are named after major arcana cards. The number for the Judgement tarot card, 20 (XX in Roman numerals), even appears on the back of Judgement's jacket and her arm band.

to:

* TarotMotifs: Two of the demons, Justice and Judgement, are named after major arcana cards. The number for the Judgement tarot card, 20 (XX XX (20 in Roman numerals), even appears on the back of Judgement's jacket and her arm band.

Added: 226

Changed: 160

Removed: 217

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Loremaster's experimentations on demons, the sterile grey-white lab environments, plus the offer of apple pie as a reward for passing her tests, makes the Examtaker DLC a pretty good VideoGame/{{Portal}} reference.



* TarotMotifs: Two of the demons, Justice and Judgement, are named after major arcana. The back of Judgement's jacket even has the number 20 in Roman Numerals (XX), which is that card's number.

to:

* TarotMotifs: Two of the demons, Justice and Judgement, are named after major arcana. arcana cards. The number for the Judgement tarot card, 20 (XX in Roman numerals), even appears on the back of Judgement's jacket even has the number 20 in Roman Numerals (XX), which is that card's number.and her arm band.


Added DiffLines:

* ShoutOut: Loremaster's experimentations on demons, the sterile grey-white lab environments, plus the offer of apple pie as a reward for passing her tests, makes the Examtaker DLC a pretty good VideoGame/{{Portal}} reference.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BrickJoke: In the Life Advice for Chapter IX, Justice jokes that Lucifer would like maid play. In the Examtaker DLC released as part of the Anniversary update, Lucifer appears as "the Maid Demon."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BrickJoke: In the Life Advice for Chapter IX, Justice jokes that Lucifer would like maid play. [[spoiler: In the Examtaker extra chapter released as part of the Anniversary update, Lucifer appears as "the Maid Demon."]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BrickJoke: In the Life Advice for Chapter IX, Justice jokes that Lucifer would like maid play. [[spoiler: In the Examtaker extra chapter released as part of the Anniversary update, Lucifer appears as "the Maid Demon."]]

Added: 300

Changed: 22

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* CrosshairAware: During the second and third stage of the FinalBoss, [[{{BFG}} giant cannons]] bombard the arena, with the player seeing their impact zone moments before they connect, giving them a chance to dodge.



* MoreDakka: The aforementioned giant cannons deliver their payload ''very'' rapidly.



* WhamLine: Loremaster's identity is confirmed with a few lines of dialogue after the third level, where she reveals that [[spoiler:she used to be an angel. Further dialogue confirms that this is Azazel, having completed her fall from grace into a FallenAngel]].

to:

* WhamLine: Loremaster's identity is confirmed with a few lines of dialogue after the third level, where she reveals that [[spoiler:she used to be an angel. Further dialogue (and a specific pose) confirms that this is Azazel, having completed her fall from grace into a FallenAngel]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* StealthPun: In the chapter menu, the DLC is labelled "EX", which is standard for a bonus stage, but it also happens to be convenient shorthand for a storyline titled "'''Ex'''amtaker".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* DarkerAndEdgier: Slightly. Most of the original's humor is kept in the DLC, though it does away with the harem building and puts you in the shoes of an angry human-demon hybrid who must survive the tests of a MadScientist in her lab. Plus, the full story reveals that [[spoiler: Azazel has taken over Hell some time in the future, rechristening herself as the Loremaster and reducing Justice and Lucifer to her servants.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AllForNothing: Overall, the only characters that even seem romantically interested in the Helltaker are Modeus, given she's the only harem member hugging Helltaker in the ending slide, and [[spoiler:Beelzebub, since she blushes and expresses a bit of joy when Helltaker offers her pancakes]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be.

to:

* AllForNothing: Overall, the only characters that even seem romantically interested in the Helltaker are Modeus, given she's the only harem member hugging Helltaker in the ending slide, and [[spoiler:Beelzebub, since she blushes and expresses a bit of joy when Helltaker offers her pancakes]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be. [[spoiler:Though ''Examtaker'' would reveal that Lucifier is still carrying a torch for him despite his disappearance, so it could just be her being a {{Tsundere}}.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BrutalBonusLevel: Far more difficult than the main game, with most puzzles requiring both good reflexes and knowing how to plan out your path. It's entirely skippable, but going through it "legit" is not going to be easy, particularly the final stage of the FinalBoss.

to:

* BrutalBonusLevel: Far more difficult than the main game, with most The bonus chapter alternates between standard block puzzles requiring both good reflexes and knowing how timing-based segments. For the latter, you have unlimited moves and less block-shuffling to plan out your path. It's entirely skippable, do, but going through it "legit" have to dodge lasers that fire periodically. The FinalBoss fight is not going a lot busier as well, as its third phase can have up to be easy, particularly the final stage three types of the FinalBoss.attacks overlapping each other.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
I'm a bit unsure about the Portal Shout Out example: the Apple Pie thing I can sort of see, but everything else is fairly standard Mad Scientist stuff


* BrutalBonusLevel: Far more difficult than the main games, with most puzzles requiring both good reflexes and knowing how to plan out your path. It's entirely skippable, but going through it "legit" is not going to be easy, particularly the final stage of the FinalBoss.
* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:During the final phase of the final boss, the ChestBlaster attack that finished its first and second phases is now accompanied by attacks from the horizontal laser emitters. Any player that thinks the fight is essentially over once it gets to that point is destined for a terrible surprise]].

to:

* BrutalBonusLevel: Far more difficult than the main games, game, with most puzzles requiring both good reflexes and knowing how to plan out your path. It's entirely skippable, but going through it "legit" is not going to be easy, particularly the final stage of the FinalBoss.
* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:During the final phase of the final boss, the easy to dodge ChestBlaster attack that finished its finishes the first and second two phases is now accompanied by attacks from the horizontal laser emitters. Any player that thinks the fight is essentially over once it gets to that point is destined for a terrible surprise]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* KaizoTrap: [[spoiler:During the final phase of the final boss, the ChestBlaster attack that finished its first and second phases is now accompanied by attacks from the horizontal laser emitters. Any player that thinks the fight is essentially over once it gets to that point is destined for a terrible surprise]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

It got a free expansion on the game's first anniversary called ''Examtaker'', telling a future story of a demon created by the Science Demon Loremaster to do experiments upon.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Loremaster's experimentations on demons, the sterile grey-white lab environments, plus the offer of apple pie as a reward for passing her tests, makes the Examtaker DLC a pretty good VideoGame/{{Portal}} reference.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


!!WARNING! Due to the short length and fast pace of the game if played knowing what you're doing, spoilers relating to everything besides the secret ending will be left unmarked.

to:

!!WARNING! Due to the short length and fast pace of the game if played knowing what you're doing, spoilers relating to everything besides the secret ending and Examtaker will be left unmarked.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BrutalBonusLevel: Far more difficult than the main games, with most puzzles requiring both good reflexes and knowing how to plan out your path. It's entirely skippable, but going through it "legit" is not going to be easy, particularly the final stage of the FinalBoss.

Added: 500

Changed: 330

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AntiFrustrationFeatures: The first part of Chapter X has nothing trying to attack the Helltaker once he reaches the large chains, and the two chains that the Helltaker has to kick down are directly across from each other. This is to let the player figure out what they have to do without putting them in too much danger.

to:

* AntiFrustrationFeatures: AntiFrustrationFeatures:
**
The first part of Chapter X has nothing trying to attack the Helltaker once he reaches the large chains, and the two chains that the Helltaker has to kick down are directly across from each other. This is to let the player figure out what they have to do without putting them in too much danger.danger.
** Similarly, the final boss of the Examtaker levels creates a checkpoint after registering each hit. And since Examtaker as a whole is much harder, it makes facing the final boss much less frustrating.



* NumberOfTheBeast: When Loremaster calls the protagonist Subject 666, she starts having high hopes as she considers such a number to mean great power. When Lucifer informs her that 666 had already died and that the subject is actually 667, Loremaster becomes less faith in him succeeding.
* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:WordOfGod and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending, where Helltaker leaves to be with Beelzebub.]]

to:

* NumberOfTheBeast: When Loremaster calls the protagonist Subject 666, she starts having high hopes as she considers such a number to mean great power. When Lucifer informs her that 666 had already died and that the subject is actually 667, Loremaster becomes less faith enthusiastic in him 667 succeeding.
* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:WordOfGod [[spoiler:Loremaster and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending, where Helltaker leaves to be with Beelzebub.]]

Added: 262

Changed: 51

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


!! Tropes that apply to ''Examtaker'' dlc

to:

!! Tropes that apply to ''Examtaker'' dlc
DLC



* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:WordOfGod and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending.]]

to:

* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:WordOfGod and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending.]]ending, where Helltaker leaves to be with Beelzebub.]]
* WhamLine: Loremaster's identity is confirmed with a few lines of dialogue after the third level, where she reveals that [[spoiler:she used to be an angel. Further dialogue confirms that this is Azazel, having completed her fall from grace into a FallenAngel]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Vanripper mentioned that the more recent comics (basically everything post-Halloween 2020) take place in the 'Abysstaker' timeline, where Helltaker joins Beel in the Abyss and leaves the girls on their own. Since said comics show Azazel's fall and Lucy seems to not know Helltaker's status in the ending of the EX chapter, it can be assumed it's post-Abysstaker. Just adding that bit under the Time Skip entry.


* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics.

to:

* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics. [[spoiler:WordOfGod and Lucy's dialogue in the ending hint that it's specifically set after the 'Abysstaker' ending.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:


!! Tropes that apply to ''Examtaker'' dlc

* NumberOfTheBeast: When Loremaster calls the protagonist Subject 666, she starts having high hopes as she considers such a number to mean great power. When Lucifer informs her that 666 had already died and that the subject is actually 667, Loremaster becomes less faith in him succeeding.
* TimeSkip: This bonus chapter is set many years after the events of the base game and the comics.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Moving to the webcomic's page.


* ImTakingHerHomeWithMe: Judgement does this with a dog on Earth.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Learn more about the cast [[Characters/{{Helltaker}} here]]. Watch the game's trailer on Website/YouTube [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkI3aatK6Y4 here]]. Check out the supplementary comics [[https://twitter.com/i/events/1257962875831947264 here]].

to:

Learn more about the cast [[Characters/{{Helltaker}} here]]. Watch the game's trailer on Website/YouTube [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkI3aatK6Y4 here]]. Check out the supplementary comics [[https://twitter.com/i/events/1257962875831947264 here]].
here]]. Tropes relating to the web comics should go on [[Webcomic/{{Helltaker}} its own page]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* NotAfraidOfHell: The titular character willingly descends into Hell because [[ExcusePlot he has a dream of creating a harem of cute demon girls]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Crosswick.




Added DiffLines:

* StationaryEnemy: The primary enemies are skeletons, who only move due to player attacks shoving them.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AllForNothing: Overall, the only character that even seems romantically interested in the Helltaker is Modeus, given she's the only harem member hugging Helltaker in the ending slide, and [[spoiler:Beelzebub, since she blushes and expresses a bit of joy when Helltaker offers her pancakes]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be.

to:

* AllForNothing: Overall, the only character characters that even seems seem romantically interested in the Helltaker is are Modeus, given she's the only harem member hugging Helltaker in the ending slide, and [[spoiler:Beelzebub, since she blushes and expresses a bit of joy when Helltaker offers her pancakes]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be.

Added: 178

Changed: 224

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None






!!WARNING! Due to the short length and fast pace of the game if played knowing what you're doing, spoilers relating to everything besides the secret ending will be left unmarked.



* AllForNothing: Overall, the only character that even seems romantically interested in the Helltaker is [[spoiler:Beelzebub, and possibly Modeus, if her being the only one hugging him in the normal ending slide is any indication]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though, the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be.

to:

* AllForNothing: Overall, the only character that even seems romantically interested in the Helltaker is Modeus, given she's the only harem member hugging Helltaker in the ending slide, and [[spoiler:Beelzebub, since she blushes and possibly Modeus, if expresses a bit of joy when Helltaker offers her being the only one hugging him in the normal ending slide is any indication]].pancakes]]. The rest of the girls never actually seem to view the Helltaker as a romantic partner, and Azazel is implied to be a lesbian who is only interested in 'studying' the Demons. Though, Though the fact that Helltaker still keeps them around implies that he's quite happy with having friends, so this trope isn't as bad as it could be.

Added: 385

Changed: 383

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: The Helltaker certainly does gather a harem of cute demon girls, but it's not at all clear how much he actually gets to enjoy it, as they're all quite troublesome to take care of and handle (which is not surprising given, you know, demons). One shot even has the Helltaker getting stabbed in the shoulder. The final screenshot of the game suggests that there are good times, though.

to:

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor:
**
The Helltaker certainly does gather a harem of cute demon girls, but it's not at all clear how much he actually gets to enjoy it, as they're all quite troublesome to take care of and handle (which is not surprising given, you know, demons). One shot even has the Helltaker getting stabbed in the shoulder. The final screenshot of the game suggests that there are good times, though.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* HadesShaded: Most of the characters in the game (i.e. everybody besides Judgement, the Skeletons, and the black cop) having burning red skin, fitting for a game taking place in Hell. Later content in the comics implies this was caused by hanging around in dimly-lit locations, such as Hell itself or Earth at nighttime, since in the comics that take place in more properly-lit locations, everybody besides the aforementioned differently colored characters change to having a Caucasian-esque skin-tone, and even in Judgement's case she becomes a lighter shade of grey.

to:

* HadesShaded: Most of the characters in the game (i.e. everybody besides Judgement, the Skeletons, and the black cop) having burning have a sunburned red skin, skin color, fitting for a game taking place in Hell. Later content in the comics implies this was caused by hanging around in dimly-lit locations, such as Hell itself or Earth at nighttime, since in the comics that take place in more properly-lit locations, everybody besides the aforementioned differently colored characters change to having a Caucasian-esque skin-tone, and even in Judgement's case she becomes a lighter shade of grey.

Top