10 Best AA Games of the 2020s (So Far)

By Ronald Goncalves Published Jul 26, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT Ronald is a Contributor at DualShockers with more than a decade of experience covering video games. He began writing about games in 2013 through public forums, reviews, news, and opinion pieces, before moving into professional games writing in 2015. His work focuses on games as an artistic medium, combining long-term industry experience with a background in political science, economics, and teaching. Before joining DualShockers, Ronald contributed in Spanish to GamElegant and AlfaBetaJuega , and he is currently part of Areajugones . He has also worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief, and he is a professor of Political Science at Fermín Toro University in Venezuela. Ronald holds degrees in Political Science and Economics . Sign in to your DualShockers account Finding a middle ground between indie games' experimental nature and big-budget productions' financial viability, AA games have become a firmly established phenomenon within the video game industry . As the closest thing we have to the projects of the early 2000s, where the hope of monetary gain didn't completely limit creative expression, they have been responsible for renewing the diversity of the contemporary market. Although their concept emerged only a decade ago, they have already given us wonderful adventures over the years, especially because, since their establishment, more and more developers are consciously creating them. Therefore, in order to give these great and well-balanced titles the spotlight, I invite you to read this list of the ten best AA games of the 2020s ( so far ). 10 Romeo is a Dead Man Ultra-Violent Science Fiction! Romeo is a Dead Man Action Science Fiction 9 /10 Released February 11, 2026 ESRB Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language Developer(s) Grasshopper Manufacture Publisher(s) Grasshopper Manufacture Genre(s) Action , Science Fiction Powered by Expand Collapse When you see Goichi Suda 's name among the creators of a video game, you know you're about to embark on an unprecedented journey, but even with that knowledge, you couldn't anticipate what Romeo is a Dead Man has to offer. While its combination of hack-and-slash combat with third-person shooting is spectacular, leading to bloody and demanding encounters, especially when bosses get involved, the title manages to be more than just a great action experience. Between its mini-games, Pokémon -style zombie collection systems to use as weapons, dialogues reminiscent of visual novels and 80s titles, constant shifts in art style, and platforming puzzles, it's the kind of game that keeps refreshing itself every hour. Considering that its interpretation of the Romeo and Juliet story, which introduces timelines and intergalactic travel to the equation, is quite fascinating, the result is a Romeo is a Dead Man that is as entertaining on the surface as it is captivating in the finer details. 9 Ghostrunner 2 A Dystopian Legacy Ghostrunner 2 Action Released October 26, 2023 ESRB m Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) Action Powered by Expand Collapse Combining Mirror's Edge with elements of Dishonored and Cyberpunk 2077 is undeniably a fascinating idea, though only the team behind Ghostrunner 2 was able to fully realize it through both the original and its magnificent sequel. The successor to the 2020 masterpiece elevated all of its impressive features, expanding its scope, depth, and variety to create an even more addictive dystopia of parkour, katanas, and one-hit kills. The ease with which you could lose yourself in the walls of its skyscrapers while deflecting bullets and snatching lives with a single slash was incredible, but the addition of the motorcycle, a more open map, and levels with more options truly took the formula to a whole new level. If this is the progression that Ghostrunner 2 achieved compared to the first game, I can't even imagine what its creators could do with a third installment, but I can certainly hope with all my heart that it becomes a reality. 8 It Takes Two Hazelight in its Sauce It Takes Two Action Adventure Released March 26, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Language Developer(s) Hazelight Studios Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) Action , Adventure Powered by Expand Collapse Since Hazelight partnered with Electronic Arts , they've managed to create many of the most soulful non-indie games I can imagine, and I don't think there's a better way to describe their work than with It Takes Two . Cody and May's journey stands as among the best co-op games ever made, thanks to the magnificent inventiveness of its mechanics and environments, constantly evolving to offer a new form of entertainment. Besides presenting an engaging story with a lovely message, It Takes Two boasts some of the decade's most memorable gameplay sequences, accompanied by superb level design that truly conveys the feeling of being under a magical spell. Even if I don't agree with its Game of the Year award, I applaud its merit as the first AA game to accomplish such a feat, and for helping pave the way for the mainstream to look beyond just AAA titles. 7 Hi-Fi Rush Rhythmic Brutality Hi-Fi Rush Action Released January 25, 2023 ESRB Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language Developer(s) Tango Gameworks Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) Action Powered by Expand Collapse Tango Gameworks has become one of my favorite studios thanks to their ability to create increasingly unique and special video games, but with Hi-Fi Rush , they simply outdid themselves. Since becoming a grumpy old man nearing 30, it's been difficult to connect with the video game industry as I did as a kid, though this marvel of rhythmic violence, vibrant color palettes, and killer music was a true time machine. If making a melee combat game is complicated enough, combining it with the tempos of each song seems impossible except for Hi-Fi Rush , which pulls it off effortlessly, maintaining a high level of choreography, gameplay feel, and difficulty. It's among those titles that leave you amazed by how they achieve features unthinkable to the average person , especially considering that it also stands out thanks to its unmistakable art style, platforming, and characters. 6 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Blood Paintings Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance Action Platformer Hack and Slash Released August 29, 2025 Developer(s) Lizardcube , Sega Publisher(s) Sega Genre(s) Action , Platformer , Hack and Slash Powered by Expand Collapse Seeing the Shinobi series return in grand style wasn't on my bingo for the 2020s, but Shinobi: Art of Vengeance certainly managed to send the iconic franchise's name soaring into the sky once again. I can't remember the last time I experienced such exhilarating sensations while mastering a series of combos, though I do recall that this installment was the one that made me realize the brilliant idea of ​​taking past IPs and entrusting them to small yet talented studios like Lizardcube . The proficiency that this living painting exudes is astounding, with an art design elaborated with the brushes of heaven, Metroidvania touches that perfectly complement the progression, and a fusion of adrenaline-pumping combat with demanding platforming that is simply flawless. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a contender for the best action game of the decade so far , and saying that, considering the magnitude of titans we've seen in the last five years, is quite a tall order. 5 Dispatch The Return of Graphic Adventures Dispatch Strategy Point-and-click Adventure 9 /10 Released October 22, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ / Blood, Crude Humor, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) AdHoc Studio Publisher(s) AdHoc Studio Genre(s) Strategy , Point-and-click , Adventure Powered by Expand Collapse The loss of Telltale Games felt irreparable for many years, though AdHoc Studios' appearance and the release of the magnificent Dispatch only renewed hopes for the graphic adventure genre's return. Without trying too hard to revolutionize its lineage, the game offers unparalleled quality in its most relevant elements, that is, an excellent story starring magnificent characters who truly invite you to connect with their world . The mechanics through which the game seeks to further justify its interactive nature are fine, but the decision-making, the drama behind each sequence, and the script, both on a small and large scale, are what truly shine. Dispatch doesn't chase fantasies it doesn't need; instead, it sticks to doing what the genre does best, in the finest way possible, and I think there's no better way to understand why it transcended. 4 Sifu Combat Made Art Sifu Roguelike Beat 'Em Up 7 /10 Released February 8, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Sloclap Publisher(s) Sloclap Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) Roguelike, Beat 'Em Up Powered by Expand Collapse Praised among the best combat systems in video game history, not including Sifu on this list would have been an insult to the action genre, as we're talking about an extraordinary specimen. Although discussions about whether it's indie or not always resurface, the truth is that it's a title whose refinement and ambition are matched by only a handful of modern experiences, as enabling such martial arts expressions is no small feat. The feeling of embodying the most lucid versions of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li in settings as diverse as a nightclub or the Oldboy corridor is unparalleled, as it demands a mastery of the mechanics and environments that feels almost like real-life training . When you enter a state of flow and begin to master the blocks and dodges, becoming one with your entire arsenal of attacks and taking advantage of the interactivity with the environments, you fall head over heels in love with Sifu , and you'll never forget it. 3 Lies of P The Heir of Souls Lies of P Soulslike 8.5 /10 Released September 19, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence Developer(s) Round8 Studio, Neowiz Publisher(s) Neowiz Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) Soulslike Powered by Expand Collapse As a die-hard FromSoftware fan, I spent years waiting for a game to live up to the originals, though it wasn't until Lies of P 's release that I felt, for the first time, that a Soulslike had surpassed the master. With its impeccable atmosphere and a fabulous adaptation of Pinocchio's well-known fable, this adventure follows the Soulsborne series to the letter, even surpassing it at its most brilliant moments. The level design is interconnected and tightly woven, the bosses are iconic and incredibly demanding, the level of customization through weapons and prosthetic arms is exceptional, the soundtrack is immeasurably beautiful, and even the characters and story are exquisitely crafted. From any angle you look at it, Lies of P is a robust work without major shortcomings that gives meaning to the subgenre's dozens of attempts to imitate the originals , especially if we include its DLC, which enters the list of the best ever created. 2 Pentiment The History of All Time Pentiment Adventure 9.5 /10 Released November 15, 2022 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Obsidian Entertainment Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unity Genre(s) Adventure Powered by Expand Collapse We can all point to the Renaissance as the golden age of human artistic achievement, though I also like to acknowledge the glimpses of it that our contemporary times offer through benchmarks like Pentiment . If I had to choose my candidate for best art design of all time, I'm sure that the work starring Andreas Maler would be among the top aspirants, as it boasts a privileged aesthetic that not only captivates the eye but also blends seamlessly with the gameplay and the plot itself. Ultimately, it's a campaign about a deeply wounded artist trying to find his place in the world through painting, but also through human connections that we, as players, shape through our decisions in a splendid story of murder, religion, and conspiracies. It's a mature tale with excellent characters, superb immersion, and a taste for art as refined as the 16th century itself, so I find it tough not to define Pentiment as what I always say it is: the best game Obsidian has ever made. 1 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 A Turning Point for the Scene Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Turn-Based RPG JRPG Fantasy Released April 24, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Sandfall Interactive Publisher(s) Kepler Interactive Engine Unreal Engine 5 Genre(s) Turn-Based RPG, JRPG , Fantasy Powered by Expand Collapse I always felt Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was going to be a terrific game, but the 50 hours it took me to explore its entire world made me realize I had seriously underestimated Sandfall Interactive, because this is more than just a remarkable piece of entertainment. While not mechanically revolutionary, the title knows exactly which inspirations to draw upon to shape its vision, creating a combat system somewhere between pure turn-based combat and Soulsborne games that demands both strategy and quick reflexes against impressive enemies and bosses. Thus, gameplay-wise, especially due to Lumina's deep system, it's a tremendously compelling creation, but what truly wins you over is the story, characters, and soundtrack; three elements in which the game is a strong contender for best of the century . Amidst so many plot twists, character developments, and unforgettable musical pieces, Expedition 33 goes from a superb role-playing game to an interactive experience that marks you for life , one that became the most awarded game of all time by pure merit. Close