Summary
It’s clear that the gaming industry needs a bit of a shake-up and a change in direction. Gamers all around the world are feeling disillusioned with repeatedly broken promises from AAA developers and the massive paywalls that are blocking access to content at launch. There has been a clear demand for greater player service from developers, and that call has been answered by a variety of AA developers who are pouring their hearts and souls into releases.
AA games fall somewhere between indie and AAA - they don’t have the massive funding that AAA games receive, but they often look and feel as if they do. That’s in no small part due to the dedication AA studios put into their products. With most AA products there’s no day-one DLC or excessive microtransactions; gamers actually receive a full game on release with incredible stories, characters, and art direction. With AA games becoming increasingly more popular, it’s a great opportunity to point out some of the best AA game studios to keep an eye on over the next couple of years.
Cyanide Studio is a French AA developer based in Paris, and was founded in 2000. They are best known for creating otherworldly RPGs and franchise collaborations, such as the likes of the popularBlood BowlandStyxfranchises. There is a distinct European flair present in their titles. Their worlds are generally dark and gritty yet humorous and intriguing simultaneously. It’s due to this that each and every title carries a synonymous feel which the studio uniquely offers.
Players should play their definitive AA titles, including bothStyxentries, theBlood Bowlfranchise,Call of Cthulu, andOf Orcs and Men. Each and every title from this studio feels like an improvement from the last, with each entry getting better and better. Most recently,Blood Bowl 3was one of the best sports games to release in recent years, whilstStyxcontinues to be a fantastic stealth-based RPG experience. Sure, their games can be a little clunky at times, but their unique flare and creative passion are reason enough to watch out for new releases.
The most impressive part of ZA/UM’s career is thatDisco Elysiumis the only game they have released so far, which instantly propelled them into popularity. It’s saying a lot that this is one of the best studios to keep an eye on after only release one game - that’s just how impactfulDisco Elysiumreally was. There aren’t many games where player choices actually matter, and help to craft adeep and immersive RPG narrative, but ZA/UM’s debut was certainly one of them.
It should come as no surprise that gamers should keep a keen eye on what ZA/UM has to offer next. As of mid-2024, they haven’t announced or revealed any glimpses into their next adventure, whether it’s a sequel or a completely new idea, but players should be eagerly anticipating whatever this AA studio is conjuring behind the scenes. If it comes close to living up toDisco Elysium’sstandards, the wait will be well worth it.
WhenA Plague Tale: Innocencereleasedin 2019, it seemed to appear out of nowhere, but it successfully took players by storm. Out of nowhere, this deep, dark, harrowing tale presented players with a beautiful narrative filled with great emotional writing and fantastic characters. There aren’t many game studios capable of mastering such emotional depth in games, but Asobo Studio made it look easy.
WhilstA Plague Tale: Innocenceand its excellent sequel were fantastic AA experiences, and some of the best games of the generation, Asobo Studio continued to showcase their unlimited skill in contributing to the development of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Whilst this wasn’t a AA release, it does demonstrate the endless capabilities of the developers, and should only encourage what releases come next.
Sloclap blurs the boundary between indie and AA developers, by definition not quite falling into either category. However, based on the quality of their releases so far, it seems reasonable to give them the AA treatment. Their most recent release,Sifu, was particularly well-received, drawing critical acclaim for itsfantastic depiction of martial artsand innovative combat mechanics.
Sloclap continues to push the boundaries of what realistic fighting games are capable of achieving, and gamers should be eagerly anticipating whatever entry they choose to focus on next. Whilst nothing has been announced yet, players can expect a high-quality combat-based fighting game with a unique approach to combat mechanics and authentic representations of martial arts. Not to mention extremely compelling, arcade-style gameplay.
Frogwares is an AA studio that not enough people talk about. Whilst they were founded in 2000 and have released dozens of games since 2002, it wasn’t until 2014’sSherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishmentsthat they started to come into the spotlight and gain the attention they deserve. There is something quite special about Frogwares' approach to environmental storytelling. Whether it’s inSherlock HolmesorThe Sinking City, every game world here tells its own compelling story.
The majority of games released by this studio have a keen interest in detective gameplay, where the player has to discover and deduce clues, allowing them to change the course of their investigations.TheSherlock Holmesfranchisefeatures some great characters and fantastic voice acting, whilstThe Sinking Cityfeatures one of the most unique open worlds ever created in gaming, and is shrouded in cosmic-horror mystery. Players should look forward to Frogwares’The Sinking City 2as it draws closer to release.
Spiders have garnered a dedicated fan base over the years, with each of their games increasing in quality. The two latest of which have been much higher quality, and were generally quite well praised.Greedfallreceived so much praise from fans that Spiders decided to announce a sequel which is set to be even bigger and better. It’s almost like Spiders has been holding back something with each release, butGreedfall 2looks to change this.
Players can tell when they’re playing a Spiders game simply from the visual style and worldbuilding. This is a AA studio that places great emphasis on attention to detail and lore. Their worlds are rich and bursting with life and things to discover. It’s no wonder that it has one of the most dedicated followings in the industry, and here’s hoping that Spider will only continue to grow in a positive direction.
Some ofRemedy Entertainment’s titlesmight be classified as AAA, with bothQuantum Breakand the originalAlan Wakereceiving a large backing from Microsoft Studios. However, recently Remedy have gone down a more independent path withControland nowAlan Wake 2both being full AA games that truly achieve AAA quality. These are some of the best story-driven games released this generation and both exhibit that classic Remedy feel.
Players should keep tabs on Remedy Entertainment simply because they are not afraid to try new things. Every game has some kind of new gameplay mechanic that is completely different from everything else out there. Their games feel refreshingly innovative, their worlds are captivating and their characters are compelling. For story lovers, Remedy Entertainment should be a top game developer.
PlatinumGames is another studio that has dabbled in elements of AAA development but is officially classed as an AA studio. The majority of their games have been published by some big names, some of which in a form of partnership with Nintendo. However, their games are alwaysbest reflected in an AA light. Known for their distinct approach to action-packed gameplay, PlatinumGames has built a prolific repertoire over the years.
PlatinumGames focuses on high-quality, polished titles but on a smaller scale than AAA open-world blockbusters. Their approach to game development is grand but nuanced. Their characters and worlds are filled with peculiarities and interesting personas, but it’s often their gameplay that steals the spotlight. There’s a reason PlatinumGames has developed such a dedicated following, and that’s through delivering consistently polished, fun games.
Warhorse Studios recently announced their upcoming sequel toKingdom Come: Deliverancewith a fantastic gameplay reveal trailer. After the success of the first title, it was only a matter of time before a sequel would be announced, and players are comparing Warhorse Studios to the hay days of CD Projekt Red. This is an Eastern European video game developer who truly cares about its players, puts the narrative and gameplay first, and delivers one of the mosthistorically accurate medieval depictionsever.
Whether it’s visuals, writing, world-building, or characters, Warhorse Studios have proved themselves more than capable when it comes to creating an immersive game world. Not only that, but these games are visually stunning. There’s an emphasis on realistic gameplay mechanics, further highlighting the historical accuracy and faithful depiction of the medieval era. Their attention to detail is second to none, and they have developed a great relationship with players around the world. Warhorse Studios could turn out to be the next biggest game studio.
