AAA Games – Is It Worth Playing Hyped-Up Titles?

AAA Games – Is It Worth Playing Hyped-Up Titles?

The video game industry has different approaches to promoting AAA games than mobile gaming. Game development takes years in those cases, so, as you can imagine, the whole video gaming industry is waiting for the releases. And how can you blame them? If anything comes from Epic Games, Rockstar, or From Software, everyone is talking about it! Whether those would be new game engines, immersive gameplay that we have never seen before, or some other interesting new elements – most AAA games are at least a start for discussion.

In this article, we will go over the best games in the triple-A genre, in our opinion. Whether it’s a long-awaited sequel or your favorite first-person match – you will find the biggest AAA games on this list.

Of course, we couldn’t include all of them here, so treat it as a best-picks list rather than a comprehensive guide throughout every title. With that in mind, let’s review some of the most exciting titles on the market!

What Are AAA Games?

Triple-A games, or AAA game as some people call them, are all the highest in budget and quality titles that stand out among other games on the market. Those are usually the ones that are developed by a relatively well-known studio; they already have a significant following, are part of a more extensive series (like Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed), and have multiplayer modes.

In addition to that, they also have some incredible graphics, sound design, professional actors who play different roles in the game, and sometimes even Hollywood stars. Also – from the start, you can expect some great DLC support, lots and lots of expectations worldwide, tons of game testers trying to find some mistakes in the cutting-edge graphics, marketing budget more significant than some people’s entire revenue.

AAA title is just on another level than most of the games. It does not mean that those other games are worthless or they don’t have what it takes to be incredible gaming experiences. It’s just that triple-A titles usually take up much more space in the column. And that’s a fact, even if it’s sad.

With that in mind and no particular game, let’s go over the open-world madness, first-person game shooter bonanza, post-apocalyptic world, and an original story – all the best AAA titles in one place. Let’s dive in!

Elden Ring

  • Release Date: February 2022

  • Developer: From Software

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

  • Meta Score: 96/100

 

The first game on our list is the one, the only – Elden Ring. It’s the best open-world game ever created, at least until this article comes to light. What can we say about this title that hasn’t been said before? It’s an enormous open-world RPG experience from the top creators in the world. It has everything, an incredible story co-written by George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki: day and night cycles, many fabulous monsters to hunt, a large budget, and even more excellent quality. Elden Ring is an immersive experience that everyone should try at least once.

If you have ever seen a game with it all, it must be Elden Ring. Excellent side quests, one of the most interesting to look at the world that gamers have ever played. The overall quality of this story-driven adventure is just on another level. You can explore the vast world of Elden Ring, have fun with incredible characters, and fight powerful enemies.

In this game, you are basically put into this rather dark and grim world in the Land Between, where demigods rule and everyone is miserable. It has used to be run by Queen Marika, a keeper of the Elden Ring, also known as the artifact that keeps everything in check, but she shattered it and disappeared. So, her demigod children started fighting for the Ring in what was called the Shattering. You are the Tarnished who travels through the Land Between to find and repair the Elden Ring. Also – you will become and Elden Lord, and that’s a cool title!

The main drive to this game is its difficulty level. People are praising the different combat styles, lots of creative weapons and spells you can use to fight enemies and the fact, well, you will die. A lot. And that’s the whole fun of it! The thrill of constant rolling, going through the same levels over and over again – it’s just so amazingly challenging and fun!

Developers in From Software outdid themselves, giving us a Dark Souls 4 and Dead Soul 10+. There has not been a game in recent years that caused so many 10/10 reviews. Honestly, putting it as the first one on our list is just a must. Of course, there are other great games on this list, but if you would play only one of those, you should check the Elden Ring.

Hogwarts Legacy

  • Release Date: PS5, Windows February 2023, PlayStation 4, Xbox One May 2023, Nintendo Switch November 2023

  • Developer: Avalanche Software

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

  • Meta Score: 87/100

 

Next up, we have something more recent – Hogwarts Legacy. It’s an open-world action RPG set in the marvelous world of Harry Potter. Well, not entirely, as it takes place in the 19th century, long before the boy wonder even came to the school of magicl. It’s an exciting world, full of surprises, and you can bet that what you have seen in the movies and read in books will be a part of this fantastic world.

In this installment of the Wizarding World, as they call this soon-to-be series, you embark on multiple different adventures in the world full of magical beasts, potions, spell casting, crafting your very own combinations of moves, and overall – a magical journey.

You will meet your old favorites (slightly younger as you may have presumed), ghosts, dark wizards, and everything you love about the Harry Potter books – a wonderful world full of mysteries! And, of course, history of magic lessons.

The plot is excellent as you embark on a journey to find an ancient secret that can change the world as we know it. We won’t spoil it, but you may already presume what it could be if you have read the books.

So, if you were looking for a letter from Hogwarts when you were 11, but it never came – you are in luck! You can join the fun without going to England and having to drive on the wrong side of the road. You can experience all of the Hogwash from the comfort of your home!

Atomic Heart

  • Release Date: February 2023

  • Developer: Mundfish

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

  • Meta Score: 75/100

 

Atomic Heart is another big title on our list that was supposed to be the Bioshock of our era, the next big game, as they referred to it at the time. Did it succeed in reaching those unrealistic expectations? Well, not really. Nevertheless, if you like some dystopian (or utopian) steampunk-like action, it's still a great game. Then – this game is definitely up to your liking!

Why should you give this one a chance? Well, there are plenty of reasons! First, if you want to have some mad fun with robots who went mad, you should try Atomic Heart. 

So, what is Atomic Heart in essence? If you have ever played the first Bioshock game, you will quickly get the gist of it. Steampunk technology, hand/gauntlet-based powers, melee and firepower-based weapons, and lots of disturbing images that will make you stay awake at night are just some advantages of the immersive gameplay in Atomic Heart.

Suppose you like to murder giant robots but also spend some time thinking about your future endeavors when the dystopian future finally arrives in the present. In that case, this game is definitely for you.

God of War

  • Release Date: PlayStation 4 April 2018, Windows January 2022

  • Developer: Santa Monica Studio

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows

  • Meta Score: 94/100

 

God of War is another triple-A game on our list, and what a game it is! PlayStation players have been in awe of this game for years now, and finally, in 2022, PC gamers could see what the fuss was all about. The thrilling father-son adventure through Norse mythology (after, almost literally, murdering all the gods in Olympus) in Midgard, fantastic visuals, and some visceral action – you just can’t go wrong with this one.

The story revolves around the death of Atreus’ mother. Her final wish was for her ashes to be spread at the highest peak in all the Nine Realms. This forced our dynamic duo to go on an adventure through Norse mythology to fulfill her last wish. As you can imagine, it was not just a trip through the woods, but rather a total bloodshed with elements of comedy. Norse gods were not pleased to see the Ghost of Sparta on their territory for some reason. 

The game introduced completely new mechanics compared to the previous titles. It’s much slower and more intimate as the camera is positioned over Kratos’ shoulder. In this installment, you don’t just go out chains-blazing; you need a much more tactical approach to win against your enemies. You will use your Leviathan Axe, a giant slashing weapon you can also throw and magically force back to your hand, somewhat like Thor’s hammer (oh, the irony).

Additionally, the game introduces a progression RPG element that can help you in even greater immersion into the character. You can develop skills, craft equipment, and discover secrets. Moreover, the game looks fantastic, even after so many years. It’s still one of the best of the best regarding sheer gameplay. With so many awards received, a fantastic world, an incredible story, and even better voice-acting – it’s a must-have!

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

  • Release Date: PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S February, 2022 Nintendo Switch Q2/Q3 2023

  • Developer: Techland

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

  • Meta Score: 77/100

 

Next, we have Dying Light 2: Stay Human, a Polish game from Techland. It’s the second installment of the widely acclaimed Dying Light, a parkour-zombie game where you had to jump over the rooftops to escape the zombie hordes. After 20 years, Aiden Caldwell is still up and fighting! The zombies are, unfortunately, winning, and the virus is spreading, but there is still hope for humanity. So, to fight those monsters, stretch, as you will be running on the rooftops quite a bit.

In the second installment, your goal is to find your younger sister Mia, who was left in Dr. Walt’s torture room. You finally face your reality and see if she might be in the last city on Earth – Villedor.

The best thing about this particular installment is the fighting and crafting. You can tell how different the weapons are before and after modifications. And your enemies will feel the difference. Although the emphasis is on melee weapons, there are also some guns in the game. Nevertheless, contrary to what we have seen in the first game, they are not as overpowered as in the previous game.

Dying Light 2 has also brought back the day/night system, when the zombies are much more “alive” during the night, making them harder to kill. It’s enjoyable to play night missions as the difficulty level skyrockets.

Monster Hunter: Rise

  • Release Date: Nintendo Switch March 2021, Windows January 2022, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S January 2023

  • Developer: Capcom

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

  • Meta Score: 88/100

Monster Hunter: Rise is the next game on our list. We could have picked the Monster Hunter: World, but with Rise being available much wider, especially on Game Pass, it felt like a safe pick! What is this game all about? Well, hunting some giant monsters and making stuff out of them.

There is a plot there somewhere, but, to be completely honest, it’s a kind of “only-people-from-Japan-understand-it” kind of situation, so we would prefer to focus on the gameplay. And that is incredible! Every “hunt” takes place on a map, where you (alone or with a friend) have a particular objective – kill or capture the monster, with few side missions on top of that. The gameplay is visceral, so you have to think fast.

You have a whole arsenal to choose from. There are some primary weapons you may have seen in your lifetime, like a sword, a bow, or whatnot, but also – those crazy Japanese inventions with an axe that turns into a shield, that turns into a sword + shield combo, and did we tell you that it’s the size of a small elephant? So that’s that! 

You can upgrade those weapons by using different parts of the monsters you hunt. But it’s not that simple. You have to cut different parts of those in order to get the particular fragment you may be looking for. In addition to that, capturing them can also bring you a lot more parts, but it’s a lot more difficult.

In the end, Monster Hunter: Rise is what we expected – a well-developed game where you can have an amazing time hunting extremely imaginative monsters. You need to study their weaknesses and pick your gear accordingly. And, if you like to have fun with a friend – it gets much, much better when you tag team those beasts!

Resident Evil: Village

  • Release Date: PS4, PS5, Stadia, Win, XOne, XSXS May 2021, macOS, Nintendo Switch October 2022

  • Developer: Capcom

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Stadia, macOS

  • Meta Score: 88/100

 

The next title on our recommended list is Resident Evil: Village. It brought back the Resident Evil series from a bit of a conundrum they got themselves in with the sixth and seventh installments of the game. Going out to the country and introducing weirdly popular among certain demographic 7 feet tall vampires was, as it turns out, exactly what the series needed.

So, what is Resident Evil: Village? Well, we are continuing the story of Ethan Winters from the previous game. You are currently looking for your kidnapped daughter in, well, a village. But it’s not an ordinary place, as you may have presumed. It’s full of human and supernatural enemies that you need to slaughter in order to find your kid.

Additionally, Village is not the “another go-to place A and shoot all the enemies” Resident Evil game. Here, there are a lot more puzzles to solve, interactions to have, and just overall - a lot more thinking than just simple shooting. Getting over some problems without violence is sometimes much harder than blasting your enemies in the face.

The game has received widespread acclaim, with critics especially praising the atmosphere of the game. Grotesque and uncertainty combined with some pretty creative visuals really changed how the series has been seen ever since. If you like this series or if you are just looking for a horror/survival game to play – Resident Evil: Village is a perfect choice for that.

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

  • Release Date: November 2020

  • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia

  • Meta Score: 84/100

 

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is another game in the popular Assassin’s Creed series. This time, we are playing as Elvior, a legendary Viking raider. The main focus of the game is the Vikings' attacks on England’s shores and the everlasting conflict between freedom-loving assassins and those not-so-cool guys from the Templar Order, who are all about controlling society. You can also play as the female version of the Viking or stick with the cover male one. In both cases, you are able to modify their physical appearance with hair, beard, war paint, armor, and tattoos.

In this installment, we have a lot of new additions to the already-existing saga. What is new? Well, we have never seen Greatswords in the Assassins’ games, so that’s a new thing. You can dual-wield different weapons this time, use the shield, or whatever you like. Instead of Eagle Vision, we have the Odin Sight. For this particular series, the developers traded our beloved eagle for the raven.

When it comes to the missions themselves, it’s similar to what we have seen so far, with Elvior having a main focus on the assassination of some kind, but the world is open for interpretation however you want to go about it. Whether it’s something as simple as finding X of something, or a multi-leveled scheme on how to help a friend, you can count on the side quests in this game to be thrilling and fascinating!

The most important element in this installment is the leveling system that is quite different from what we have seen in the previous games. You are not just leveling your overall abilities, but you are getting new skills. Based on that, you will face more difficult enemies. And there is a lot of enemies to face-off in the game, with 25 unique archetypes to fight against. Finally – the settlements are back, so if you liked those from the Black Flag, here we go again.

Overall – this installement was widely judged as – a ok! – with some critics pointing-out not-that-many innovations, but a still enjoyable experience as a whole. So, if you liked the previous games, you will surely find yourself at home!

AAA Games – Conclusion

And here we are, at the end of our road. As you can see, there are lots and lots of fantastic triple-A titles to choose from. Whether you need to shoot someone, go through zombie hordes, jump off a cliff, or solve some puzzles in a weird place – there are plenty of triple-A titles to choose from. Of course, as with all lists, this one is just another “best pick” rather than some comprehensive analysis, but we feel like we have got something for everyone. For some reason, we are still encountering the developers’ fascination with medieval times. RPG games set in some fantasy worlds, with swords and magic, are definitely something that we have seen a lot of in recent years, many of which – are fantastic games overall. If you enjoy this kind of gameplay, then you are definitely in luck!

Nevertheless, we feel like in this particular genre, everyone will find something for themselves. Fortunately, you can easily find something for everyone among those fantastic titles, as the developers from the biggest companies are usually doing a few things at the same time. EA, for example, is responsible for pretty much every single genre, with some games being better than others for sure.

We are not saying that people who play games from AAA category is better than choosing something creative and imaginative from some indie games developers, but if you want to see what is the level of advancement when it comes to graphics and the scope of concept, those titles will show you just that. And there is a great chance that a lot of people will be playing those, so you will have someone to have fun with as well!

Thanks for stopping by! If you liked this article, we have a lot of those on our site that you can check out. That’s it for today, and we will see you in the next one!