10 Highest Reviewed AA Games Of All Time

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As a gamer myself, I can’t help but feel disappointed with the current state of the AAA gaming industry. It seems like it’s lost its touch, pumping out repetitive games that lack originality. These titles often launch in an unfinished state, requiring substantial day-one patches to smooth things over. It’s a far cry from the excitement and anticipation we once felt for new releases.

Despite some challenges facing the AAA game industry, the AA category has been delivering impressive games that rival or even surpass the high-budget productions of AAA titles.

It made me reflect on the AA (Action-Adventure) games throughout history. Remarkably, many of these games have earned scores that compete with top-tier titles, surpassing expectations to receive accolades and sales far exceeding what was anticipated based on their background.

Indeed, there are many highly-regarded AA games. Here’s a list of the top-rated AA games as per OpenCritic:

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
3. God of War (2018)
4. The Last of Us Remastered
5. Horizon Zero Dawn
6. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
7. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
8. Nier: Automata
9. Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition
10. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – Game of the Year Edition

In this context, we’ll focus on games that fit into a flexible category, characterized by small development teams, limited budgets, or preferably both. We will select and showcase the highest-rated game from each series as our representation.

10.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Co-op Cooking Chaos

Despite your attempts to persuade me that Team 17 is an independent studio, their long-standing publisher has a history spanning years, produces numerous games, and boasts the financial muscle of a major AAA company. At the minimum, they can be classified as an AA boutique publisher.

Indeed, given what we’ve discussed, Overcooked! All You Can Eat undoubtedly meets our expectations. This compilation offers a trio of fantastic, chaotic cooking cooperative games that exceed in every aspect. It brings these games up-to-date and bundles them all together neatly for your convenience.

Players must cooperate, exchange information seamlessly, and steer clear of comedic pitfalls displayed to fulfill orders efficiently and emerge as the top chef in the realm.

Despite your best efforts, there’s a strong chance this choice could stir up disagreements among friends or couples. If you’re up for it, jump into the kitchen.

9.
Psychonauts 2

Runaway With The Circus

In the realm of independent and small-scale games, there are not too many powerful advocates like Tim Schafer. This is the reason that Devolver Digital often deploys its mid-sized resources and influence to back up courageous small-time developers.

Sometimes, Double Fine Productions re-enters the scene with an exceptional AA game, and Psychonauts 2 stands out as one of the finest examples from them in this category.

In my opinion, while the original game was certainly worthy of being in this category as well, its successor takes it up a notch. It delivers an exquisite blend of modern platform gaming with characters, that’s true to the series’ quirky and experimental essence.

As a gamer, I’ve stumbled upon a truly extraordinary platformer – one that sets itself apart from the rest with its innovative level designs, deeply touching narratives, and mind-bending visuals that transform each stage into an unforgettable experience.

Despite not yet reaching mainstream success, this game has certainly earned the recognition it deserves. It’s definitely worth giving a try.

8.
Sea of Stars

Nostalgia Overload

As a diehard fan, I must say that Devolver Digital left an undeniable mark on this masterpiece. They collaborated with Sabotage Studios, the talented minds behind The Messenger, to craft this exceptional blend of contemporary and retro JRPG magic.

Demonstrating that JRPGs aren’t confined to Japan to carry the essence of authenticity and uniqueness, Sea of Stars serves as a heartfelt homage to the golden era of JRPGs, providing gameplay, graphics, and an outstanding soundtrack that evoke memories of the beloved JRPG classic, Chrono Trigger.

However, the game manages to thrive independently, boasting engaging and tactical turn-based battles that are interactive, as well as stunning graphics that push the boundaries of pixel art to new heights. To top it off, the narrative is captivating and maintains a lighthearted tone without losing its impact.

This game serves as an exceptional tutorial on creating epic JRPGs, recapturing the magic that was bottled and released in the ’90s. If you’re yearning for a rush of classic JRPG feelings, then this is undoubtedly the title you should play.

7.
Pillars of Eternity

A Pillar Of The RPG Genre

Previously, Obsidian was a nimble indie game developer, consistently outperforming expectations for a studio of its size. It frequently collaborated with larger publishing companies to leverage their resources, resulting in significant successes despite being led by a relatively small team.

A striking instance of a game uniquely its own is Pillars of Eternity, an exceptional role-playing game (CRPG) that stands out among recent releases. This game immerses players in a world teeming with history, intricate RPG mechanics, and plots that unfold based on player decisions which hold significant weight.

I can’t help but sing praises about my adoration for Obsidian’s work, especially with Pillars of Eternity. This game truly showcases their writing prowess at its finest, immersing players in rich lore, fleshing out deeply engaging characters, and filling the game world with moments that leave a lasting impression.

This content is abundant, and the game offers incredible replay value, making it a great investment, as you’ll get lots of playtime out of it.

Despite some challenges with Obsidian’s AAA project set within the same universe as Avowed, it’s crucial to remember that Path of Exile remains one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and absolutely warrants your focus.

6.
Neon White

Highway to Heaven

Although some might categorize Neon White as a typical independent game, my viewpoint leans towards the idea that games under the Annapurna label have a distinct edge compared to other indies in the market. Consequently, I refer to it as a mid-tier or AA game.

However, regardless of its genre classification, Neon White is an exceptional game, breaking the mold for what is typically expected in a First-Person Shooter (FPS) game, or even a platformer.

Despite being categorized as such, Neon White defies expectations and offers a fresh take on what we usually see in FPS games and platformers alike.

In simpler terms, the game can be aptly characterized as one that “optimizes optimization.” Players have the opportunity to perfect their performance, discover creative shortcuts, and trim fractions of a second off their times in order to excel at each level.

Every stage meticulously crafted, and the game mechanics are straightforward to learn yet challenging to fully grasp – precisely the balance you’d expect in a game like this.

Sure, the style might be a bit awkward, but stick with it, and you’ll discover a game unlike any other you’ve encountered.

5.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps

When There’s A Will, There’s A Way

It might be surprising to note this, given that Ori and the Blind Forest was unquestionably an independent production. However, with Moon Studios developing the sequel using a team of over 80 members and receiving support from Xbox Game Studios, Will of the Wisps clearly falls under the Action-Adventure (AA) category.

However, it appears that the enhanced status of this sequel has effectively addressed most criticisms and worries of fans regarding the initial installment, as they seem to have faded away upon the release of the second version.

The remade version of the game offered equally stunning visuals, yet boasted easier-to-use platforming, a deeper and more impactful storyline, and enhanced navigation, among other notable enhancements.

This game, often held in high esteem as one of the best Metroidvania titles, deserves its accolades. It’s unfortunate that it’s exclusive to Xbox, making it a game that PlayStation enthusiasts miss out on. This fact still leaves me envious.

4.
Dave The Diver

Anyone For Sushi?

Dave the Diver is a game cleverly disguised as an independent production, aiming to capture the affection of the niche gaming community who prefer cozy, intimate games. Despite being developed by a compact team, it carries the support of a major player in the gaming industry, Nexon, which helps to elevate its status beyond the typical AA game.

Regardless of its history, Dave the Diver is an extraordinary game that delivers the classic “I’ll just play one more day” gaming experience, similar to that found in games such as Stardew Valley. However, it’s worth noting that this game is consistently developing and has a clear finish line contrasting traditional games of this genre.

Managing a restaurant with an element of underwater adventure is simply thrilling! Watching the steady advancement is incredibly rewarding, while the adorable graphics and amusing side activities make it all the more enjoyable.

Playing as a spunky, independent video game character might seem a bit sneaky, but there’s no denying that it’s packed to the brim with high-quality content and is incredibly hard to put down.

3.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Tomorrow Comes

As a passionate gamer, I’ve just gotten my hands on the latest masterpiece from the Action-Adventure genre – the one that’s been creating waves of excitement across the gaming world. This game is not only the newest addition to my collection but also the spark that ignited this list of extraordinary experiences!

Clair Obscur, similar to the Japanese RPG Sea of Stars, is a French-developed JRPG that offers an experience that outshines most other games in its category.

This game delivers thrilling turn-based battles with a unique parrying system for added excitement, accompanied by a thoughtful narrative, stirring music, and stunning visuals that Unreal Engine 5 has yet to surpass so far.

The game delivers top-quality content without any unnecessary parts, making you emotionally invested in each main character due to exceptional storytelling and voice performances. Additionally, it avoids prolonging itself excessively, allowing you to finish the game within approximately 30 hours.

This type of game emerges when skilled creators have the freedom to think outside the box without restrictions, and I fervently wish it will inspire similar projects in the future.

2.
Hades

It’s Not A Phase, Dad!

Although some people might think Supergiant Games falls into the top tier of indie gaming, my personal opinion is that their current games are comparable to AAA titles, rather than strictly indie ones.

Despite this, Hades – including its upcoming early access version, Hades 2 – has managed to stand toe-to-toe with the crème de la crème, and even surpassed them by earning the prestigious Game of the Year (GOTY) award.

Even now, Hades is widely recognized as an exceptional model for designing Roguelikes, since it subtly reveals fresh story elements and details after each character’s demise, turning defeats into opportunities that can feel just as gratifying as victories in many aspects.

Every playthrough offers a distinct experience, and this game is vibrant, smooth, and hard to tear yourself away from, ensuring each playthrough is just as captivating as the one before. It seems that Hades 2 might overtake its predecessor in terms of greatness, but for now, the original version remains unchallenged at the top.

1.
Divinity 2: The Original Sin

The Blueprint For BG3

Despite my strong inclination to include Baldur’s Gate 3 in this list because of Larian Studios’ independent standing, it’s challenging to ignore the substantial multi-million dollar funding behind the game.

Although the foundation for Baldur’s Gate 3 wasn’t initially endowed with the same resources, it nonetheless delivered one of the most affluent and remarkable RPG experiences ever, as indicated by its top-ranking score.

If you’re a fan of Baldur’s Gate 3, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into Divinity 2. It’s not far from the groundbreaking CRPG in terms of combat, has writing that’s just as captivatingly choice-driven, and immerses you in a world rich with lore and mystery.

This role-playing game offers a dreamlike journey where you can forge your unique destiny. While Baldur’s Gate 3 undeniably builds upon its foundation, it wouldn’t exist without Divinity 2. This connection alone makes exploring this renowned RPG an exciting adventure.

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2025-05-05 16:43