To say that the video game market is vast would be an understatement. From huge, immersive worlds to narrative-focused visual novels, to nonstop action games that leave your heart racing, anyone willing to look is going to be able to find an experience that speaks to them. The most impressive and commercially-relevant titles, however, tend to come at a rather steep price. Attempts to subvert this business model, such as early access, have been met with mixed results. This has caused Triple-A games to cost $60 on the day of release while the Indie games market has been the counterpart, offering affordable titles at varying levels of quality.
2019, however, did a great job opening our eyes to a resurgence in a unique gaming middle ground. The Double-A space, as it has been recognized, is a fairly obscure one. While not given the huge triple-A budget, these titles normally end up having a bit more freedom than their contemporaries on the other sides of the market. This has given us a slew of unique games that separate themselves from the conventions of the more extreme sides of gaming with a price point for that seems neither dismissive nor committal, offering an equally unique peace of mind.
A Different Breed
Indie games and Triple-A titles alike have a few predictable qualities. Triple-A titles release with a level of polish in both visuals and gameplay that is expected to be the best of its kind, or at least an impressive showing of what the latest hardware is capable of delivering. Indie titles normally release with a focus on key features, eschewing other aspects such as visuals to realize a clear vision. These titles often appear minimalistic in comparison to their big Triple-A brothers, but are completed packages that often offer expansion packs if any extra content is available to purchase. The Triple-A side of the coin demands more commitment with your purchase. Titles that release under the assumption their sales will be in the millions, normally under big name publishers such as EA, will often ship with less content than indie games under a promise of more to come with the purchase of a season pass. Big budget titles often house microtransactions as well, adding enhancements to the gaming experience for those willing to pay for it.
The Double-A space is a bit different. These titles often end up looking more impressive than even some of the big-name indie releases with a bit more marketing power, normally resulting in physical releases that are uncommon in the Indie space. The larger budget also allows them to aim for more ambitious visions that may be considered too risky for the Triple-A space. The recently released Maneater by Tripwire Interactive is a great example of this. A game with focused single-player gameplay, graphic violence, no microtransactions and no multiplayer about a murderous shark is not a game that would be considered a safe release for a publisher looking to sell a product in the millions. Even 2019’s critical darling Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order had famously toned down the destructive power of the franchises’ signature weapon, the Lightsaber, when Disney refused to allow the weapon to be shown dismembering human enemies. While these titles are a great way for smaller publishers and developers to throw their weight around, they have also allowed older names such as Sega and SNK to continue to push forward and not simply be known for licensing out their characters.
High Risk, High Reward
Last year’s Samurai Shodown was a surprisingly fresh take on the fighting game genre. With the stale release of 2016’s Street Fighter V and fast-paced games such as 2018’s Dragonball FighterZ dominating in popularity, Samurai Shodown dared to slow things down. The result was a game that felt different than any other fighting game on the market, focusing on slow-paced play and controlling tempo rather than dashing madly at the opponent with a flurry of attacks. While 60$ at release, buying the game within the first week resulted in free DLC characters, making the game feel like far more of a bargain than other games at a similar price point. While lacking in robust single player options and additional gameplay modes, the core fighting experience was second to none and made a huge splash within the competitive community. The title also went on to receive numerous “Fighting Game of the Year” nominations, solidifying the impact of this Double-A title.
Team Sonic Racing by Sumo Digital in 2019 was another surprise Double-A darling. Taking the arcade Kart Racer and innovating it for a focus on team-based multiplayer sounds like a recipe for chaos, but Team Sonic Racing defied the odds and showed off a different way of looking at this classic genre. The focus on team-based dynamics proved to be innovative, with a class-based character system that complimented track design, resulting in a surprisingly deep game that is a blast to play with friends. Positioning, item designation, speed management and more all play a part in Team Sonic Racing’s incredible multiplayer experience and stands out from any other kart racer on the market today. This trailblazing innovation netted the game various nominations, such as Best Racing Game at the Game Critics Awards and Gamescom in 2018, and proves that the Double-A space is the place to look for an innovative experience from some of your favorite publishers.
Bang For Your Buck
Undoubtedly, the biggest offering of the Double-A space is the value. While Indie games are a force to be reckoned with, they can often go under the radar when compared to the juggernauts of the industry due to their limited marketing ability. Triple-A titles claim to be the best that the industry has to offer, but often come with hefty price tags for future expansions or are bloated with additional microtransactions, leaving the initial 60$ purchase feeling more like purchasing a ticket to a digital amusement park than buying a video game. When considering that these monetization tactics are identical to those used in Free-To-Play titles, it can become a questionable purchase to an astute gamer. The Double-A space offers games at either a slightly lower price point, usually $40, or offers bonus content upon purchase. These titles also tend to go on sale frequently, making them bargain bin gems.
The Double-A game is the perfect solution for the gamer looking for something new while keeping a well-rounded level of polish. The retro and minilamist charms of the Indie game world may not be for everyone, while the nature of the Triple-A market is overbearing in its demand for your time and money. These Double-A titles are some of the most ambitious games on the market today, offering experiences that are unique to the other two sides of the gaming spectrum. With this console generation coming to a close these games will be the ones to look for and play.
