Sometimes, you just want a short but sweet gaming experience, perhaps something that can also be replayed in smaller bursts here and there. Given that the average triple-A game usually has a runtime of several dozen hours these days, indies are usually the gaming vertical where quicker game experiences shine.
Brisk games are perfect when you need a break between longer ones but still want to experience something fresh and engaging, or maybe want something that can be completed in one sitting. A lot of the games on this list manage to tell strong stories and deliver exceptional gameplay experiences without overstaying their welcome.
The Forgotten City is a mystery-adventure RPG game that launched in 2021. It is a full-length, original game version of the popular Skyrim mod of the same name. Despite this, the game feels very different and has an interesting and unique hook.
The story is set in an ancient Roman city trapped in a time loop where no one is allowed to sin, otherwise, everyone turns to gold. It’s your job to figure out how to break the loop by exploring its small city, talking to various NPCs, and completing quests. The writing and atmosphere pull you in right from the very start and keeps you entralled all the way to the end.
7Titanfall 2
Metacritic: 89
The single-player component of Titanfall 2 clocks in at around five to six hours, and it’s one of the best in the FPS genre. It manages to accomplish so muchin just a few hours, such as introducing you to its brand-new alien planet and all the lore that comes with it.
Not only is each level varied here, with unique gameplay mechanics and level designs, but it also introduces six bosses in the form of the Apex Predators, whom you fight through the campaign. It also has some solid replayability thanks to its lightning-fast pacing that never feels rushed. And of course, returning to the multiplayer for quick hits of fast-paced adrenaline is always worth it with this game.
Hotline Miami contains brutal action mixed with a killer soundtrack. The game throws you into a neon-soaked ’80s-inspired world where you must take out enemies inquick and brutal ways. It’s a 2D top-down shooter, but it’s all about speed and precision.
You can die fast, but you also respawn instantly, which makes it hard to put down and so much more rewarding when you finally get through a level. It’s a minimalistic game in a lot of ways, except for the brutal and gory action, of course. Clocking in at about five hours, it’s a great game to play and recharge with in between playing longer games.
2019’s Modern Warfare reboot is another FPS game with an amazing campaign. This one’s a bit longer at around six to eight hours, but not a moment of that is wasted here. It introduces several brand-new characters and villains, many of which are reimaginations of iconic characters from 2007’soriginal Modern Warfare game.
The campaign is gritty and mature, with compelling political storytelling. The sound design, the shooting and reloading animations, and its overall attention to grounded gameplay were a noticeable step up from all the Call of Duty games before it. Besides the campaign, its short co-op modes are also worth returning to when you’re craving a semi-realistic shooter.
Resident Evil 2 Remake wasa stellar remakeof the 1998 survival horror classic. You play as either Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, trying to escape Raccoon City after a zombie outbreak. Each character has a separate campaign, and there are two slightly different versions depending on who you pick first, for a total of four slightly different versions.
What makes this remake so great is how replayable it is, thanks to its responsive gameplay and the smoothness of the whole experience. you may finish one campaign in about five hours, and then return later to experience the other campaign variants.
3Late Shift
Metacritic: 79
Late Shift is a very unique type of game as it’s an interactive movie that can be completed in two hours. It was released on last-gen consoles and PC back in 2017. Some of your choices matter here, and you get different scenes depending on which you choose, so it’s worth playing more than once, especially if you’re looking for something that isn’t a normal video game.
You play as Matt, a young guy who gets pulled into a high-stakes robbery. The story takes place in real-time, and you pick up from both big gameplay and narrative decisions. The writing, acting, directing, and cinematography are all pretty solid here for a game-movie hybrid of its type, and it even won a BAFTA award.
Superhot is a short and sweet FPS experience whose campaign can be completed in two to three hours. This really works in its favor as it’s a very streamlined but fun experience, with endless replay value thanks to itsunique game design and combat mechanics.
It’s an FPS game where time only moves when you do, meaning that enemies stay still if you’re not shooting or moving. You’re thrown into white minimalist environments where you face red-colored enemies. It’s part puzzle and part shooter, and strategy is very important. It’s easy to jump in and out of, making it perfect for quick gaming sessions or for when you need a break from a different game.
Journey is still amongst the most unique gaming experiences, featuring no real gameplay besides exploration. It manages to feel very artistic and compelling with its short two-hour runtime. In this game, you control a little robed figure traveling across a vast desert. There’s no dialogue either, it’s all about the atmosphere and the vibe of the experience. The art style and music are stunning as well.
One standout feature of Journey is how it handles multiplayer. Other players can join your game silently, but you can’t communicate with them directly. It creates this unspoken bond as you help each other.
