Usually when it comes to new, exciting and expected releases, everyone’s lips name is a game that takes up AAA space. But, at least so far, 2025 has been an AA year.
There are a variety of games produced on medium-sized teams and medium-budgets, and they shocked the world by putting their hats in the ring as potential Goty candidates come at the end of the year.
This raises the question: what is the next experimental or shockingly high quality AA game?
It’s certainly not possible to say, but there are some doubts that the games listed below could be the next big one. So, move these forward onto the radar.
We will only consider games with specific release dates. This will be released before or immediately after the summer Game Fest. That show is usually to dramatically change the landscape of the release.
8
Monster Train 2
Get on everything!
We start things in a game that appeals to anyone who is waiting (or patient) and still patient (or unpatient) for the murder of Spire 2.
If you want a tactical turn-based deck builder action, you should make sure Monster Train 2 is on your wish list as this sequel adds an extra layer of Poland and refinement to the original Roguelike strategic formula.
There is always a reason to jump into this on a daily basis, as different clans play with, new runs, lots of new cards, and dimension challenges that don’t feel like the last baggage. So, in short, it has a lot of replay value. This means you’ll be banged for your money.
This will arrive on May 21st on all major platforms, so mark it with the Deck Builder Fan, which is the calendar.
7
Nivalis
The comfort of cyberpunk
Most cyberpunk games offer the ability to play a bigger than life hero, expanded to teeth with upgrades and biometric gadgets. But Nivalis is a game that puts you in the same typical futuristic setting, but the shoes your average Joe is about to get.
You are the owner and owner of a noodles shop, and you will spend your time managing the shop, carve out your presence in this neon-covered cityscape, and use your free time to explore and adapt to this voxel punk world.
Despite the oppressive nature of the cyberpunk world, this game is a rare, cozy game in this genre, allowing you to build a life for yourself. But there is also enough survival factor to make sure that life in this neon dystopia is not all sun and rainbows.
It’s a unique take on a cozy life sim, and the voxel style may put off a few ahead, but I’d like to see this for you all.
6
Fire Blade
Forge the path
We can barely go in the last month without something like another soul pop up, using a variation of the Dark Souls Formula that we all know and love. Blades of Fire is the next game in a long line of lovingly crafted counterfeit products.
However, the game stalls as an effort focused on forging and forging, so it’s not a vague and lazy imitation. Moreover, the game definitely feels like a more reactionary hack-and-slash title, in contrast to the careful and systematic game of Dark Souls’ likeness.
You will need to carefully explore the area and find the resources you need to create useful weapons against tougher bosses that will interrupt your adventure.
It may not necessarily appeal to soul purists, but those who like novel deviations from proven prescriptions should look at this.
5
The Polluted Holy Grail: The Destruction of Avalon
Elder Clone
In one year It has already seen some great first person RPG outings in the form of the Kingdom coming, the Kingdom coming: Rescue 2, and the Remaster of Forget, I want to be in the spotlight on the gameEnding early access immediately could potentially become the next big first person medieval RPG.
The Polluted Grail is basically a game that, in principle, offers an RPG experience not too far from the Elder Scrolls series, but does not draw punches in terms of difficulty.
It’s a deep game with a huge three-act story, but more importantly, it offers a huge world with so much depth that you’ll get lost in small detail too.
It’s a itchy scratching game that Skyrim once did, offering many familiar mechanics, but offers new and interesting ideas enough to stand on your own two feet. It’s an RPG sleeper on standby and no one can wait for it to get it.
4
I’ll date everything
You are an inanimate f**king object
Team 17 is always good value for the odd, great parts and equivalents, but this may be the most outsole game under their umbrella.
The game turns a typical suburban home into a romantic hot bed where inanimate objects come to life, get to know them, romance, and naturally get caught up in the drama that unfolds from there.
Having a wealth of items in your home means you can learn about the many potential romantic interests each with their own story, quirks and paths that follow. So you need to lock and load the chat upline.
It’s just as upset as a bottle of chips from a core concept standpoint, but we’re here for that.
3
Rune Factory: Azuma’s Guardians
Potential returns to form
When it comes to games under a great umbrella, most people know the story of the season franchise better. But it’s not a cozy, colorful big hitter they can use at their disposal.
Despite some ups and downs over the years, Rune Factory remains a well-known and beloved franchise within the cozy game collective, with the guardians of Azure aiming to serve as a return to form after an inactive outing that was Rune Factory 5.
From what we saw, this seems very likely, as this JRPG encounters the hybrid look of an agricultural simulator.
However, not everyone wants the Runes to return to this land, so if you dive into this adventure, expect a battle.
2
rematch
For so long until you kick off
As someone who has had a long-standing chronic addiction to the Rocket League, I am deeply concerned about the upcoming rematch, a multiplayer football feature. But in a good way.
I, along with many others, have to say goodbye in my free time, as this addictive football hit is easy for players to pick, but it’s as difficult to master the form as fun as it is challenging.
There are plenty of customizable items to unlock, and there are various modes to train and compete, but just like the beautiful game itself, the core gameplay loop that just plays soccer is enough to drive players crazy.
All the kicks, slide tackles and thunderous volleys are happy, but they’re not like the games like Efootball and EAFC that occupy today’s genre. So, if you want a sports game with a difference, the rematch is just a ticket.
1
It will be changed
Hello, I’m glad to meet me
For me, the most promising AA project on the cards in the coming months is The Alters, a game that, despite having a sci-fi twist, still fills my vibe of this war.
In this game you play as Yang who hits a strange and insecure planet. Your goal is to gather rapids for your mission.
The only way you can withstand the chance to do this is to use Rapidium to create your own biological clones to automate your survival system and explore the planet further. However, these are not always the right clones, so expect disagreements and drama along the way.
It’s a mission that looks overwhelming and tough, but I can’t wait to crash to come to this game’s release.
