Anyone who has sat down to write any creative project, or name a character before starting any game, for that matter, will know. Naming something is much harder than it seems, and can set the tone for what follows.
Give your story a dull name, and someone might not even crack open the first page. Name your in-game warlord character Sebastian, and no one on the battlefield will take them seriously—apologies to all the Sebastians out there.
You get the point: titles can make or break you, and that applies to video games. At least most of the time.
Despite these rather lackluster titles, these games managed to find success and acclaim. But, on name alone, these games wouldn’t cut it in a community college creative writing course.
Our criteria are that the title must sound like a generic title for a high school creative writing assignment. But, critically, the games have to be far better than their namesakes would suggest.
10The Forgotten City
Forgot To Name It Something Good
The Forgotten City
While I can’t commend the creators of this Skyrim Mod-turned full game for their ability to name their product, I can commend them on their ability to create a truly memorable gaming experience.
The Forgotten City may sound like some generic riff on The Secret Garden or The Lost World, but it’s anything but ordinary. As this game meticulously crafts a time loop puzzle that offers new twists and turns with every new loop.
The setting is sublime, the writing is top-notch and if you’re able to ignore the unsettling facial animations, it just might become yournew favorite time loop game of all time. But that is very much in spite of the game’s title.
9The Knight Witch
A Hard Day’s Knight
The Knight Witch
If you scan the YA section of just about any bookstore, you’ll find a book with a title similar to this game just dripping in teenage angst. However, in the rare case of The Knight Witch, this is a game that defies this title to offer an experience that won’t make you want to tear your skin off.
Sure, the writing is still very much in that wheelhouse. But the key factor here is that this gameoffers bullet hell Metroidvaniagameplay that mashes the two genres together to great effect.
Plus, you also have spellcasting, deck-builder-style loadouts, killer bosses, and so much more. Plus, it’s a pretty game to boot.It’s not exactly Metroidvania royalty, nor should it be with a name like that, but it’s a great game well worthy of your time.
8The Forest
Camping With Cannibals
The Forest
Is there a title that requires less brainpower than simply using the vague setting in which the game will take place? Not even an adjective to describe the forest? Maybe that was a little too much to ask. Or maybe the team was about to break for lunch, and the name stuck.
Either way, as on the nose as it is, it serves a purpose. As the game takes place in a forest. But that’s selling this game very short.It’s a survival horror masterclassthat takes place on a cannibal-infested island with an intricate cave system and mysteries to uncover.
Couple that with some superb base building, multiplayer functionality, and weird survival systems causing emergent weirdness running in the background, and you have a survival showstopper.
7The Last Guardian
Man’s Best Friend
The Last Guardian
If there was ever a game that was sent out rocking a title that could easily double as a straight-to-DVD instant flop, it’s this one. But, credit where it’s due. Even if it’s not Japan Studio’s finest game, it’s still pretty damn good.
The Last Guardian took a big swing, much like its sister titles, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Offering players the chance to effectively train a reluctant animal companion, and create a bond that helps you navigate this enigmatic world you find yourself in.
The companion AI is intentionally cumbersome, to the point that it might frustrate a few. But the payoff comes when your companion finally understands your command, helps you solve a puzzle, and you literally feel your bond strengthen with this lovable beast in real time.
Rarely do you see a game lean so wholeheartedly into companion mechanics and make you so co-dependent with a fallible AI. It’s perhaps not for everyone, but it’s an adventure that’s far more creative and unique than the name would have you believe.
6Child of Light
Shine A Spotlight On This One
Child of Light
Here’s another game that, based purely on the name, sounds like a disposable dollar store fantasy novel. Which, in turn, has made sure that this outstanding game will never be a household name. But it’s a hidden gem that proves Ubisoft can make good games if its developers are given room to be creative.
This game offers anATB-inspired turn-based system that is a joy to mess around withas you work through the Shakespearean iambic pentameter that the story keeps pushing on you at every turn. But, thankfully, it never feels like a boring Shakespeare lesson.
Instead, it feels like an adventure full of wonder, with eye-candy in abundance, cathartic encounters aplenty, and a fairytale vibe that the bard himself would be proud of.
It’s just a shame that the game’s name sounds like a Yu-Gi-Oh card that lacks the potency to make it into any meta deck.
5Night in the Woods
An Indie Darling
Night In The Woods
As far as generic titles go, this one is definitely one that could easily be the title of at least twenty published children’s books. But it also happens to be the name of one of the most critically acclaimed andbeloved indie games of all time.
The small-town vibes, unique art style, and narrative-driven excellence all come together to offer a walking sim-esque experience that is packed with charm, with just a sprinkling of horror to keep you on your toes.
Not to mention, the game also has a completely different game within the core experience called DemonTower that could be a game in its own right.
It’s not a game for everyone, but it’s a game that’s undeniably impressive and is far better than the lukewarm name would suggest.
4Sword of the Sea
A Drop In The Ocean
Sword of the Sea
If you’re ever in need of a working title, it never hurts to take two generic buzzwords and mash them together, which seems to have been what happened when Giant Squid decided to name their next title Sword of the Sea.
Now, in fairness, with the company being those behind the excellent Abzu, they have more than earned the aquatic alliteration. But, even still, it’s hardly pushing the boat out. Boat. Aquatic. See, even I’m doing it.
But, regardless of the title, this is easily one of the finest games of 2025, offering a phenomenally atmospheric and smooth platforming experience worth its weight in gold. It’s basically Journey, but you can kickflip on a sword. What’s not to love?
3Banishers: Ghost of New Eden
Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
There’s a wealth of games that have been announced in recent years when you see the title on screen, and you hear yourself let out a little jaded sigh. Mainly because the name of the game simply seems so generic and forgettable that it inspires absolutely no confidence.
However, there is the odd occasion where the game manages to weather the burden of a lackluster title and produce an adventure that rewards those who take a chance on said game. Which is how I came to know and love Banishers: Ghost of New Eden.
Sure, it leans into some tired adventure game tropes here and there. But it also offers an incredible and heartfelt story surrounding death, morality, and the need to let go.
Not to mention, the occult themes, the dual-focused combat, and the detective-style mission structure all work wonderfully. The name has definitely ensured this one will forever be an underrated gem, but hopefully now that you’ve heard of it, you’ll give it a try.
2Sea of Stars
Blockbuster Name, Placefiller Name
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is unapologetically one of my favorite JRPGs of all time, and better than its inspiration, Chrono Trigger, in my humble opinion. But, even I can admit that this is serving ‘my first attempt at a fantasy novel’.
It’s something that a random name generator would spit out, but if you can put that to one side, you’ll come to find that it’s a truly monumental achievement from Satotage Studios.
It boastsincredible retro meets modern visuals, a jaunty soundtrack full of bangers, and accessible JRPG fun that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s one of the few games in the last few years that allowed me to feel childish whimsy again, and for a curmudgeon like me, that needs to be cherished.
1The Last of Us
Deep Narrative, Shallow Title
The Last of Us
That’s right, we are ragging on one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved gaming franchises of all time. Pitchforks out, everyone.
The Last of Us is, without question, one of the best-paced, most cinematic, and most impressive survival horror games on the market today, offering a gritty zombie narrative that managed to cut through a saturated field to stand out from the horde.
However, despite the game’s near-flawless run, it’s fair to say that just about no one would have expected this game to be a blockbuster success ahead of launch purely because the name of the game is so ten-a-penny.
Thankfully, the gameplay and story managed to speak for themselves, and the series has felt on to transcend gaming, serving as a TV smash hit. However, if the game were even a fraction less impressive, the title just might have buried this one.
