Best AAA Games You Need To Play

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If you’ve been looking to expand your AAA game library, this list gives you some of the best AAA games of all time.

Whether they’re from the most recent years or even a couple of decades ago, here are some of the best AAA games you need to play.

God of War (2018)

God of War is a revolutionary game originally released by Santa Monica Studio in 2018. While the previous iterations were based on Greek Mythology, this game explores Norse Mythology. 

This game follows the story and life of Kratos and his son Atreus. Thrilling combat, stunning vistas, and some major plot twists will all take you by surprise. Luckily for those who have access to a PC, you can now play this action-filled story, as it was released on PC in 2022.

Crash Bandicoot N-tranced Trilogy

If you’re looking for a hit of nostalgia, the Crash Bandicoot N-Tranced Trilogy is a great game to get stuck into. You can get lost in the three original games with brand-new graphics to give it a new lease of life. 

No matter what platform you’re on, you can get stuck into the Crash Bandicoot remasters, and they run smoothly across each platform.

Bioshock

An oldie but a goodie, BioShock is a fantastic game that deserves your attention. If you haven’t played it before, you’ll experience the dystopian underwater world of Rapture as you complete quests and unravel the story that leaves your mouth agape from some of the wildest plot twists you’ve ever seen.

Bioshock has also received a remaster, which gives the game a smoothness it didn’t have before, as well as some updated graphics and achievements. 

Playing Bioshock now is the perfect time to get stuck in, as the latest game from the developers of Bioshock is in the works.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

After over a decade of waiting, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has finally emerged. While Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is absolutely worth playing, if you want a new, thrilling experience where you don’t need any knowledge of the first game, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is great. 

However, it can be pretty beefy and requires a lot of resources if you play it on PC, which may give you a less than stellar experience. Regardless, the story is phenomenal, and the plot twists will blow your mind.

Red Dead Redemption 2

After Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption was such a hit, it’s no surprise that Red Dead Redemption 2 gained a lot of traction and became an incredibly popular game. With a huge world to explore, lots of quests, and an intense story, you lose nothing by giving this game a go.

Luckily, this game is available on multiple platforms, allowing you to try it out and maybe form an unbreakable bond with a horse, living out your cowboy dreams.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is one of the best zombie survival games. In an overly saturated market, the Last of Us covers the hideous, beautiful, and difficult parts of surviving a zombie apocalypse. With beautiful vistas that have since been remastered, this once-PlayStation exclusive may be the game that introduces you to a new genre that you may have previously avoided.

The characters in this game are lovable (with some being downright hateable,) and if the game isn’t enough for you, there is now the hit TV show you can watch!

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition is the perfect game to play if you’re a fantasy fan. An action RPG game full of quests, combat, and even romance, there is a lot to love about Dragon Age: Inquisition. For those who may have been getting stuck into Baldur’s Gate 3, this is the perfect game to follow up with if you’ve already played Larian’s other titles.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the perfect Mario game for people who don’t like Mario. Although it still follows the traditional format and platforming, it is a world full of color, whimsy, and new abilities to enjoy. Who doesn’t want to play as an Elephant in a dress?

If you want a multiplayer experience, you can play this game with up to three other people!

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

While Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is incredibly difficult, beating the bosses can feel so rewarding. Some would describe the game as Guitar Hero, but with combat. With how well you need to time your attacks and deflects, it can certainly feel like that.

Those who don’t like Soulsborne games may enjoy this one more as it breaks from the mold of the usual Soulsborne combat and adventure. 

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a truly phenomenal AAA game. You’d be missing out if you didn’t give this game a go. Even if you don’t like turn-based strategy, this is the game that may sway your opinion on it.

With three different routes to choose from, this game has so much replayability and offers hours and hours of fun. If you choose any Fire Emblem game to jump into, make it this one.

Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal is the sequel to 2016’s DOOM, and it just does it all so much better than the first game. With a fantastic soundtrack and high-speed combat, it’s perfect for those who enjoy gory thrill-seeking. 

Even if shooters aren’t your thing, you might enjoy Doom Eternal more than you first thought.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

Marvel’s Spider-Man is perfect for any comic book fan out there and those who enjoy parkour and swinging through the city. There is something very freeing about playing Spider-Man, as you don’t even have to quest if you don’t want to. You can swing freely through the city, take down bad guys, and see the sights.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Although most of the game revolves around combat, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be incredibly cozy. If combat isn’t for you, there’s always the game’s foraging aspect and even cooking weird and wacky dishes. 

However, the combat can be a lot of fun, and there are hundreds of puzzles to solve throughout the huge world of Hyrule.

Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is the most accessible fighting game compared to the other Street Fighter games available. If you’re looking to get into the franchise, this is one of the best games to get into, as it has two different types of controls.

On top of great accessibility, it also has some fantastic fighters available, some new to the game. Also, it has great aesthetics and a good soundtrack. What’s not to love?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has everything you could ask for from a game. From completing quests to romancing the lovable women in the game, you get to play as the Witcher himself, Geralt of Rivia. While the graphics may be a little dated, the game still plays so well, and you can play it across several platforms.

If you’re a fan of foraging, looting, and getting every side quest possible, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the game for you.

Resident Evil 7

Even if you don’t like the original Resident Evil games, Resident Evil 7 is one of the best AAA survival horror games out there. The story is shocking, and the graphics are fantastically grotesque.

If you like the story of Resident Evil 7 a lot, there are DLCs you can buy which give you extra content and lore from the game. Additionally, the story continues in Resident Evil Village!

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is a breathtakingly beautiful game with a strong female protagonist. Playing as a woman cast out from her tribe, you have to find your way through the expansive world, fighting off mechanical enemies and trying to ensure that you stay safe in the devastation of Earth.

If you find yourself enjoying Horizon Zero Dawn, you can follow up by playing Horizon Forbidden West.

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 is an excellent game if you enjoy open-world FPS shooters. It has a dark and twisty story with a love-to-hate antagonist. There are plenty of dark secrets to uncover while you explore the island.

There are some truly memorable characters in Far Cry 3, and if you’re looking for a AAA shooter to play, make it this one.

Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout is one of the most memorable and popular franchises of all time. Fallout: New Vegas is considered one of the best in the franchise, and it’s not hard to see why. Set deep in the desert in a post-apocalyptic world; it has that Wild West feel to it while having a great story and lovable characters.

If you find that you love the base game, there are some DLCs you can get to enhance your experience. With the success of the Fallout TV series, there’s never been a better time to jump in and enjoy the franchise. 

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

If you’re a fan of historical games, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is the perfect game to start with. You get to explore ancient Greece and go from being a nobody to becoming a legend. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey has a great story, a fantastic soundtrack, and beautiful graphics.

This is the perfect game to pick from the AAA franchise for those wondering about getting stuck into Assassin’s Creed.

Tomb Raider

The reboot of Tomb Raider left quite a mark on the gaming world. Throwing Lara Croft deep into the pit of danger once more, this game has an expansive world with a range of skills, items, and crafting for Lara to pick up on.

It takes the fundamentals of the original Tomb Raider games and amplifies them for a stealthier, survival-based experience.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros is one of the most iconic fighting games ever. First released for the N64, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate adds all of the well-known Nintendo characters and then some. With collaborations that add Joker from Persona, Steve from Minecraft, and many more, there’s a fighter for everyone!

Even if you don’t like online battles, there’s a whole campaign and various game modes to sift through.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this game is a AAA great. It takes all of the best features of Breath of the Wild and builds on them, creating an even more expansive Hyrule than in the first game.

With new abilities and enemies not seen before, this adventure will surely get you gripped from start to finish.

Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation is the perfect AAA survival horror. The game keeps you on your toes and lulls you into a false sense of security when you least expect it. With a great soundtrack and atmosphere, it really adds to the tension of this game.

From Androids gone rogue to deathly Xenomorphs, can you survive your time in space?

Mass Effect: The Legendary Edition

Mass Effect has always been a popular franchise, and now you can play it remastered, where all of the jank has been removed.

Play as Commander Shepherd and carve out your story. Will you be the hero, or will you be the villain? Along the way, adapt your weapons and make new friends (or foes) and maybe even a lover.

World of Warcraft

One of the longest-standing live service games, World of Warcraft is the perfect MMORPG to get stuck into. With WoW: Dragonflight being one of the best retail expansions, adding a whole new level of fluidity to the game, you lose nothing by giving it a go.

Plus, you get a free trial to take the game for a test run before committing to anything serious! Why not choose now to get lost in the expansive world of World of Warcraft so you can gear up for the next expansion?

Elden Ring

Although Elden Ring does fall into the realm of Soulsborne games, it is one of the most accessible. If you cannot beat a boss, you can simply explore other areas until you can go back and beat them!

Not only are the boss fights incredibly cool and will have you on the edge of your seat, but the game is also full of stunning vistas and beautiful character designs.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is another fantastic live-service game. If you’re a fan of open-world shooters with plenty of quests and cosmetics, Destiny 2 is the one for you.

This game has some of the best character designs for villains, and the character design in the most recent expansions has just been incredible. 

Why not get stuck in?

Ghost of Tsushima

Previously a PlayStation exclusive, Ghost of Tsushima is making its way onto PC on May 16. This game is a fantastic open-world action adventure where you play as Jin, someone who has to try and protect Tsushima Island from the first Mongol invasion in Japan.

Ghost of Tsushima is the perfect AAA game for you if you’re a fan of historic settings in games and thrilling combat.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Rebirth is one of the greatest games ever made. It represents all the positives and benefits of AAA gaming: beautiful graphics, a lively open world, and an incredible gameplay loop.

Yes, it also features the AAA gaming problem of taking one game and stretching it out as thin as possible (Final Fantasy VII’s Remake went from one game to three), but Rebirth doesn’t feel as bloated as its predecessor. There are changes from the source material, but they make the experience better, keeping die-hard fans on their toes throughout the entire time.

We’ll see if the final entry in the Final Fantasy VII trilogy can top Rebirth. Worse case scenario, we’ll always have Rebirth.