Triple-A games are often seen as the pinnacle of the gaming space. The scale originates from the 90s and is often used to describe games that were most likely to meet their financial goals. Final Fantasy VII was one of the first games to be released using the triple-A scale. Now the term is used to describe games produced by medium to major production studios, with higher marketing and development budgets.

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When players think of Triple-A games names like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and The Last of Us immediately come to mind. However, as technology progresses and developers flex their creative muscles, more Indie games are quickly beginning to prove that triple-A doesn't always mean a game needs a bigger budget. There are plenty of indie games currently in development that look like they are being produced by some major studios when they're actually produced by smaller teams.

10 The Ascent

The Ascent game character customization screen

Fans of Action-RPGs and cyberpunk themes will want to keep an eye out for The Ascent. The Ascent takes place in a corporate-run metropolis that stretches into the sky. The cyberpunk world is full of enemies and allies, plenty of loot, and various districts from slums to luxury zones.

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In The Ascent the corporation that owns the player characters district mysteriously shuts down, leaving the district's survival in a precarious situation. Players can battle through the city solo or play with friends thanks to the local and online cooperative modes. Players will be able to customize their characters using cyberware that suits their individual playstyles. They will also be able to use skill points and various augmentations to find creative ways to take down enemies.

The Ascent will release on July 29th of this year on Steam.

9 Bleak Faith: Forsaken

Bleak Faith Forsaken Game warrior and monsters

Players will explore the last remnants of civilization in a vast, unforgiving world in Bleak Faith: Forsaken. In Bleak Faith: Forsaken combat will push players to their limits. Resource management, positioning, and timing will all play a huge role in combat. This means there will be plenty of challenging boss fights.

Bleak Faith: Forsaken offers RPG style progression and versatility when it comes to playstyles. Though there will be plenty of chances to build the perfect character, however, the game will have various non-reversible options. This means players will have to choose wisely when the time comes.

Bleak Faith: Forsaken will release later this year on Steam.

8 Salt 2: Shores of Gold

Salt 2 Shores of Gold first person sailing on ship toward island

Players looking to set sail across the seven seas will want to keep Salt 2: Shores of Gold on their radar. Salt 2 is an open-world pirate exploration and survival game inspired by Sea of Thieves. What makes Salt 2 stand out is that it focuses more on PvE and the single-player experience. Players will explore the ocean and go on quests while crafting items for survival.

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The world of Salt 2 is procedurally generated, players will begin on their boat in the middle of the ocean. They will then need to hunt and seek out resources to survive while facing legendary pirates and other enemies.

Salt 2: Shores of Gold will release in the fall of 2021.

7 Sands of Aura

Sands of Aura key art sand glider near ruins

Sands of Aura is an open-world action-adventure game set in a world beneath a sea of sand. After a tormented god is released the world of Talamhel is thrown into neverending darkness. Players will have to track down the evil that's spreading and protect the realm of man.

Sands of Aura features souls-like combat and an engaging story. Players will sail across the sand setting their own paths in the ever-changing sands. The choices players make will also impact their home base, in positive or negative ways.

Sands of Aura does not currently have a release date.

6 Book of Travels

Book of Travels river side market with boats and people

MMO fans will want to check out Book of Travels. Book of Travels offers a unique social roleplaying experience without linear missions. Players can travel through forests or cities, the choice is one hundred percent theirs to make.

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The serene adventure game does not plan out routes and instead allows players to play in their own way. Though Book of Travels offers online multiplayer and cooperative options, the game is an MMO on a smaller scale. Players can choose to travel together and make temporary memories from the interactions.

Book of Travels will release on August 9th of this year.

5 My Time at Sandrock

My Time At Sandrock game players workshop outdoor

The sequel to the award-winning life-sim RPG My Time at Portia is My Time at Sandrock. Players will explore the "wholesome" post-apocalyptic world as they take on the role of a builder. Sandrock needs a lot of help, and it's up to players to save the day.

In My Time at Sandrock players will build their workshop and fill it with intricate machines. Players can also explore a vast desert, and dive into ruins to find ancient relics. Over time players will be able to convert their profits into farmlands and switch to more of a farming sim playstyle.

My Time at Sandrock will release later this year on Steam, GOG, Epic, and WeGame. The game will release on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One, and the next-gen consoles in 2022.

4 Behind The Frame

Behind The Frame game Artist painting by window

Behind The Frame is a narrative-driven puzzle game that encourages players to savor the little moments. The hand-animated art captured audiences' attention during E3. Beyond The Frame can be played at any pace which makes using the panoramic view a more immersive experience.

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Players will take on the role of an artist on the cusp of finishing her final gallery piece. Players will seek out the colors needed to bring each piece to life, and find out that there's more than meets the eye.

Beyond The Frame will release later this year on Steam.

3 Trail of Ayash

Trail of Ayash game Ayash in a cave

Trail of Ayash is an open-world game that focuses on Pre-Columbian era indigenous people and their myths and legends. Players will interact with various tribes across the Americas, and battle against nightmarish creatures.

Windigo, Skinwalkers, and more lurk in the shadows, and each has its own unique characteristics. In-game quests will be based on legends, myths, and ordeals and players can choose the path they want to pursue.

Trail of Ayash is currently still to be announced.

2 OMNO

OMNO standing with scepter of light

OMNO is a single-player journey of discovery through an ancient world. Players will advance through a puzzle and platform-filled world carrying the power of a lost civilization. The world is full of unique lifeforms from giant dinosaur-like creatures to smaller frogs.

There are various types of atmospheric regions players can explore, from lush forests and frigid tundras. OMNO challenges players with hidden secrets, puzzles, and obstacles that they will need to overcome.

OMNO will release on the 29th of July and will be available on Steam, EPIC, Playstation 4, Xbox, Xbox Gamepass. A Nintendo Switch release is still to be announced.

1 RAN: Lost Islands

RAN Lost Islands warriors fighting in an ancient temple

Battle royale fans who enjoy games such as Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima will want to keep RAN: Lost Islands on their radar. RAN: Lost Islands takes players back to an era where warriors fight face to face in search of gold and glory.

The melee-heavy battle royale game will have players race to shore in boats. They will then scramble to gather armor and a variety of weapons. Unlike a lot of more recent battle royale-style games, RAN equips players with swords, rifles, and crossbows.

RAN: Lost Islands currently does not have a release date, however, it will be available on Steam.

NEXT: Indie Games You Should Look Forward To In 2021