Beat 'em up (also known as
brawler) is a
video game genre featuring
melee combat between the protagonist and an improbably large number of underpowered enemies. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes. Traditional beat 'em ups take place in
scrolling,
two-dimensional (2D) levels, though some later games feature more open
three-dimensional (3D) environments with yet larger numbers of enemies. These games are noted for their simple
gameplay, a source of both critical acclaim and derision. Two-player
cooperative gameplay and multiple
player characters are also hallmarks of the genre.