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What's the word?

There are roughly a million officially recognized words in the English language, but these 20 crop up everywhere when it comes to naming video games. Is it due to a lack of originality or just a set of universal themes? Flip open your dictionaries and join us for a definitive look at the most overused words in game names.


Age

- noun.

Dictionary definition:
The length of time during which a being or thing has existed.

Video game definition:
The length of time during which a being or thing that is mostly likely a large barbaric man, a fire-breathing reptile, or a mind-enhancing puzzle have existed.

Usage:
Did you see that half-naked lady in the Dragon Age Origins trailer?
I can't believe Brain Age told me I had the mental health of a 30-year-old.

See also:
Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, Armored Core 2: Another Age, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, Age of Booty, Myst V: End of Ages.



Blade (synonym: Sword)

- noun.

Dictionary definition:
A weapon typically consisting of a long, straight or slightly curved sharp edge.

Video game definition:
A weapon typically consisting of a long, straight or slightly curved sharp edge and imbued with godly power, usually found in pairs or fours and helpful in the event of Alpha-worm invasions.

Usage:
Heavenly Sword is like God of War with red hair.
Wait, there were blades in X-Blades? I wasn't looking at Ayumi's hands.

See also:
Ninja Blade, Genji: Days of Blade, Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Broken Sword, Prince of Persia: Rival Swords, Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures,



Command

- verb.

Dictionary definition:
To occupy a dominating position; look down upon or over a region.

Video game definition:
To tell people ranked under you what to do in the event of eastern European or alien invasion while managing resources and other units.

Usage:
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 pits Tim Curry against J.K. Simmons against George Takei, thereby winning the honor of "Most Awesome Celebrity Cameo Showdown."
Wait, the guy who created Missile Command actually commands missiles?

See also:
Star Fox Command, R-Type Command, Mega Man X Command Mission, Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command, Wing Commander, Strike Commander, Sub Command, Flight Commander.


Darkness

- noun.

Dictionary definition:
The absence or deficiency of light; lack of knowledge of enlightenment.

Video game definition:
The absence or deficiency of light often solved by using an in-game flashlight with a limited battery life (or by turning up the brightness levels on the screen).

Usage:
The Darkness was better when it was a rock band instead of a violent video game.
I totally freaked out when Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem thanked me for playing the demo.

See also:
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Operation Darkness, Tenchu: Return from Darkness.



Dawn

- noun.

Dictionary definition:
The beginning or rise of anything.

Video game definition:
The beginning or rise of dragons, war and legions of lethal, sometimes mutant, killers.

Usage:
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is not a game about a very pretty girl.
Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is a game from the series that is going to make the most appearances in this article.

See also:
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Dawn of Discovery, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, Genji: Dawn of the Samurai, Dawn of Mana.