Almost everyone is familiar with the evergrowing gaming industry and its elements. Since the beginning, there have been multiple types of games based on different genres. One such type of title that made a lot of buzz in the gaming industry is the AA games. In simple terms, AA games are the ones that are developed by companies that do not have that big of a budget for the production of the games. These games are created by a large group of people working from multiple offices.
Some of the most prominent examples of these games are Children of Morta, State of Decay, Hellblade, Path of Exile, and more. Nonetheless, finding the best double-A games to get your hands on is a complicated task, as there are a plethora of them. In order to simplify it for you and remove the pain of searching for everything, here we have curated a list of the best AA games that you can try to experience amazingness.
Reasons Why You Should Try AA Games
Here we have listed down the major reasons why you should try AA games to make sure that you know what’s in the store for you:
➡️ Short Game Length
There was a time when most of us loved lengthy games that took ages to complete. However, keeping in mind that there are multiple games available in the market as of now, and we want to try most of them, the length of AA games is 15 hours on average.
This clearly means that you can finish titles in a week if you play moderately and in a couple of days if you play extensively. AA games are best for people who have a busy schedule and want to take out spend their spare time playing games that they can complete quickly and switch to new ones for a fresh experience.
➡️ Erratic Nature
Now, this is something that surprises us the most. The AA games are highly mercurial as you can encounter some of the best storylines, weaponry, and character development in this kind of game that tend to cross your expectations. The main reason behind their experiments with game elements is that they don’t have the fear of failing in the market like most AAA games.
➡️ Great Addition to Your Games Library
The best part about AA games is that they are not in the race to become the best segment. This makes them pretty consumer-centric and thus allows them to add elements that will be actually loved by the gaming fraternities. As of now, you can find dozens of AA games from almost all genres. These games can always be a decent addition to your library.
Now, let’s dive into the list of the best AA games you have to try today!
Cuphead
Cuphead is a game that you would want to play after a tiring schedule to add some spark and light-hearted content to your life. It is a classic run-and-gun offering primarily prioritizing boss battles. The best part about the game is that it is heavily inspired by the cartoons that we got to see in the 1930s.
The audio and visuals of the game are highly identical to the mentioned era, topped with original jazz recordings and watercolor backgrounds. You will have two choices in the game, play as Cuphead or Mugman in the game and work on getting new weapons, explore hidden secrets in the game, along with learning deadly super moves to fight the devil in the game.
Developer: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
Release Date: September 29, 2017
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 can be dubbed one of the best AA games available in the market as of now. In the game, you are supposed to take on the journey of Razputin ‘Raz’ Aquato, who is a well-trained acrobat and a psychic too. His lifelong dream is to be a part of the international psychic espionage organization popularly known as the Psychonauts.
However, the organization is in trouble because its leader has shown a switched personality after his return from a kidnapping. On top of that, it has also been discovered that there is a mole in the office.
You, as Raz, will be supposed to get on missions and unravel mysterious conspiracies. The game is filled with cinematic elements and psychic powers that you can alter according to your preferences. You will have to use these abilities to eradicate a psychic villain.
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: August 25, 2021
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
It Takes Two
Another AA title, It Takes Two, takes you on an adventure-filled ride with your friends. Invite your friend to kick-start the journey and deal with all the in-game challenges as a duo. You will be supposed to play as Cody and May, who are two humans converted into dolls with a magic spell.
The main focus of the characters will be on saving their relationship. You also have to face the challenges that come on your path, like DJing a jam-packed night club, piloting a pair of underpants, having a brawl with the gangster squirrel, and a lot more.
Developer: Hazelight
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: March 26, 2021
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Life Is Strange
This one is an adventure game that blesses the main characters with powers like altering time and affecting the past, present, as well as future. You will play Life Is Strange as Max Caulfield. She is a photography senior who recently came to know the fact that she can rewind time when she saved her best friend, Chloe Price.
Nonetheless, things go haywire in no time because she played with the events that were bound to happen. The best friend duo gets involved in investigating the mysterious disappearance of a batchmate named Rachel Amber. In the journey, Max explores a lot of facts regarding Arcadia Bay. She also learns the lesson of not playing with time.
Developer: DONTNOD Entertainment
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: January 30, 2015
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
A Way Out
A Way Out is an adventure game where you play as one of the two prisoners who are trying to run off from the prison. The two main characters, Leo and Vincent, are controlled by two players. The game is based on the basic principle of trusting a complete stranger to make the most daring decision of your life.
You have to keep in mind that in the game, if you want to break free, then you need to coordinate with the other inmate. Solve the puzzles and come out of tricky situations. The gameplay consists of elements like sneaking, fighting, running, driving, etc. You can even go for a fishing session in the game as well.
Developer: Hazelight
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: March 23, 2018
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
SOMA
If you are a fan of Sci-Fi horror games, then here is SOMA for you. In the game, an underwater facility named PATHOS-II has incurred serious isolation. You are supposed to make some of the boldest decisions in this situation of crisis. You have to dive deep into the locked terminals of the game to reveal the truth behind the chaos.
In addition to that, you also have to find out the last remaining inhabitants and be an active part of events that will decide the destiny of the station. In the journey, you have to be prepared to face mind-bending creatures, corrupted humans, and even AI working as resistance. This is, without a doubt, one of the best horror games on Steam available today!
Developer: Frictional Games
Publisher: Frictional Games
Release Date: September 22, 2015
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Hades
Want to immerse yourself in the World of Gods, Dragons, and other legendary creatures; then you should give Hades a try. You have to don the role of the immortal prince of the Underworld, who has mystical powers paired with the mythic weapons of Olympus. The character has to get out of the trap set by the God of the Dead.
With every escape attempt in the story, your character will get stronger. Not only this, but you will also meet a plethora of Olympian Gods like Poseidon, Zeus, Athena, etc. You will explore thousands of character builds while moving forward in the game.
Developer: Supergiant Games
Publisher: Supergiant Games
Release Date: September 17, 2020
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Children of Morta
Children of Morta is one of the most popular RPGs, in the form of AA games. You are not only supposed to play a single character in the game but a family of heroes. You will have to hack ‘n’ slash the enemies who can be found in the caves, lands, and dungeons.
The main focus of your character will be on leading the family. You have to fight against the corruption that is on its way to destroying the whole empire. The game also has an online co-op mode that lets the users play with friends far away. You can use different moves in the game, like magic, stuns, evasions, healing, attacks, and a lot more.
Developer: Dead Mage
Publisher: 11 bit studios
Release Date: September 3, 2019
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Divinity: Original Sin
Divinity is a game where you get god-level abilities with which you can wreak havoc on your enemies. You are supposed to take the role of Godwoken, a hunted user of forbidden magic. He is on a mission to reestablish Divinity. In the game, you will travel back centuries to where everything started.
You’ll also be accompanied by the famous wizard Zandalor. Your main goal is to stop the Void Dragon from wiping out the world. You can play the game and embark on your journey either way – play online with friends, and indulge in more than 200 hours of role-playing. In the end, you have to take care of the immense power and claim the history of Divinity as your own.
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Larian Studios
Release Date: January 17, 2014
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
GreedFall: The De Vespe Conspiracy
In GreedFall, you are supposed to start your journey on a remote island with fantastic creatures, riches, unexplored secrets, and magic, of course. In order to be successful in the game, you have to work based on diplomacy, force, and deception.
You will achieve quests and accomplish objectives via different ways like stealth, deception, combat, and diplomacy. You can choose to play as a male or a female character. On top of that, you can also choose your abilities, spells, skills, and even customize your appearance. Delve into the journey of pulling the curtains off from the ancient secrets guarded by supernatural beings.
Developer: Spiders
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Release Date: September 10, 2019
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is the story of Henry, who is a blacksmith’s son. The story starts with Henry watching his friends and family die in an invaders’ storm. He merely escaped the attack, but now is not the time to weep. In the game, you will lift the sword, avenge the death of your parents, and eradicate the invading forces.
The game has a realistic open-world environment consisting of vast fields and majestic castles. The story is non-linear in nature, which means you can solve quests in different ways. Your decisions in the game will have consequences too. The character development in the game is pretty strong. You get new perks and skills and can even forge or modify your weapons. It will get on your nerve with real historical characters with genuine appearances.
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Publisher: Warhorse Studios and Prime Matter
Release Date: February 13, 2018
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a blend of supernatural forces, seas, twisted worlds, and mysteries. The story of the game revolves around Amicia and Hugo. The siblings travel far south to new regions in an attempt to start a new life. They also find ways to control Hugo’s curse. However, destiny had a different plan for them. As soon as his powers are reawakened, a series of death and devastation come along as floods of rats.
And once again, the siblings have to flee. But this time, they reach a prophesized island that may have the solution to Hugo’s curse. You will fight supernatural forces by using multiple tools and superpowers of Hugo’s curse.
Developer: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Release Date: October 17, 2022
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
NieR: Automata
NieR:Automata is a tale of androids 2B, A2, and 9S who wage war against powerful machines to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia. And this war has a rigid reason behind it. Humanity has been banished from the Earth by mechanical beings hailing from another world. In order to take their planet back, Humans send a force of android soldiers to exterminate the invaders.
The game consists of battles against groups of enemies and powerful bosses on open-field maps. You will get a variety of weapons, new combat skills, and a lot more. What intrigues us the most is the auto mode available for entrants. This mode allows the new players to understand the game mechanics better.
Developer: Square Enix and PlatinumGames
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: March 17, 2017
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Wrapping up
The above-mentioned titles are some of the best that you can try to experience the best out of AA games. From adventure to role-playing, AA games have something to offer in every genre. And that’s not it; the icing on the cake is that these games are available at a cheaper price and have shorter durations as compared to that of AAA games.
On the contrary, if you are into full-fledged RPGs with a pinch of tech, then you can have a look at our list of best Sci-Fi RPGs to go on futuristic adventures.
