Summary
- Some indie games offer short and sweet experiences that can be completed in just a few hours.
- Games like When The Past Was Around and Minit combine brilliant storytelling with clever gameplay.
- From puzzle platformers to RPGs, indie games like Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons and Undertale are worth the time.
When someone hears the words "video games," their mind probably jumps to legendary time sinks like Call of Duty, Zelda, or Final Fantasy. Or even MMOs or competitive gacha games that demand an absurd amount of hours just to keep up or stay in the game. But for anyone juggling a packed schedule or just craving short gaming sessions, keeping up with that level of commitment can start to feel overwhelming.
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If you're in need of the latest role playing games made by the most passionate indie devs, then look no further than Joel RPG's 2024 list.
However, there is still a delightful array of mostly undiscovered indie games that can be finished in just a few hours—something that many big-budget titles can’t quite pull off even after a whole day of gaming. Check out these bite-sized but oh-so-sweet indie games that are absolutely worth the tiny amount of time players will invest.
Note that for completionists, these games might take much longer to fully finish.
9 When The Past Was Around
Artistic Point-And-Click Adventure
- Released: September , 2020
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox
- Developers: Mojiken, Toge Productions
- Genres: Puzzle Video Game, Adventure game, Indie game
To kick things off, When the Past Was Around is an excellent pick because it can be wrapped up in about 2 to 3 hours, and it has some truly breathtaking graphics, to boot. For someone who’s on the hunt for a beautifully artistic and subtly emotional point-and-click adventure that will sneak up on them and tug at those heartstrings, this is the best choice.
Just imagine a game that weaves a coming-of-age tale so beautifully that it captures the essence of love, loss, and the bittersweet art of letting go—all without uttering a single word. When the Past Was Around is one such game.
As players immerse themselves in Ita's life, they tackle puzzles that peel back the intriguing layers of her character, all while captivating scenes from her life reveal themselves. The storytelling is so cleverly woven and subtly enticing that players can't help but binge the whole experience in one sitting.
8 Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons
An Intricate Puzzle Platformer With A Rich Narrative
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is yet another indie gem, and players can finish it in just 2 to 3 hours. On the surface, it’s just a straightforward puzzle platformer where players control two brothers at the same time, using those twin sticks to navigate the wilds in search of medicine for their sick dad. The setup is simple, but as the game progresses play, it shows the unbreakable bond between these siblings and the importance of family ties.
And just when the player thinks they’ve got it all figured out, it hits them hard with a gut-wrenching twist about what it truly means to sever those ties. Simply put, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a brilliant example of how to blend game design and storytelling into something truly special yet short.
7 Minit
Aesthetic Time-Loop Puzzle Game
MINIT
Minit is a sleek and minimalist indie game that has captured the hearts of those who love playing in a never-ending time loop, challenging them to crack the code and break free from the cycle. Minit challenges players to explore a vibrant world in just one-minute bursts, where every death is just a stepping stone to progress.
7 Minimalist Puzzle Games
Players who enjoy simple aesthetics while solving puzzles will love these minimalist games.
If one had to slap a label on it, it would be "Roguelike puzzler slash a nostalgic top-down Zelda charm". With its adorable pixel monochrome aesthetic, it’s hard not to fall in love with Minit. And here’s the best part—it can be completed in just over an hour (for someone quick on their feet, that is). However, Minit is best enjoyed in one go, because diving back in can feel like starting from scratch. So, get cozy, learn the lay of the land, and learn clever shortcuts for a truly rewarding experience.
6 Superhot
First-Person-Shooter Meets Real-Time Strategy
Superhot
Superhot is a classic FPS shooter but with a bizarre twist: time only moves when the player does. It’s like mixing an FPS with a real-time strategy game, where every move counts. This short but sweet experience has players navigating through cleverly designed levels, shooting, dodging, and hurling projectiles to emerge as the last one standing, all while a nice deep voice rewards them for their efforts.
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Of course, like the other games on this list, it’s also short enough to binge as it'll take only about 2 to 3 hours to wrap this up. Plus, it’s a game that really tests one’s shooting and running skills. So, for anyone who’s ever wanted to go around shooting and skulking around in a Matrix-like game wearing a cool trench coat, Superhot is their best (and probably only) bet.
5 Unpacking
A Cathartic Game About Unpacking Items
Unpacking
Next up is a charming little game called Unpacking, and it can be breezed through in about 3 to 4 hours. Unpacking, as the name aptly suggests, is all about unpacking household stuff and finding a home for it. It’s super chill and oddly satisfying, but it’s also a deeply personal journey for many fans.
Players really get to know their character deeply over the years through their most treasured belongings and living spaces. Some items are like little time capsules from a bygone era—take the Nintendo GameCube, for instance. Others reflect a particular journey, the company the character keeps, and how much they’ve grown over time. In short, it’s a straightforward yet brilliant gaming format that transforms one of the most dreaded activities into a cathartic and enjoyable experience.
4 Return Of The Obra Dinn
An Intriguing First-Person Adventure And Mystery Game
Return of the Obra Dinn
- Released
- October 18, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Lucas Pope
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
There are countless games that challenge players to don their detective hats and solve some mysteries. Some have nailed it, in fact, like Disco Elysium and Shadows of Doubt. But none have pulled it off quite like Return of the Obra Dinn.
Basically, the protagonist hops on the titular ship as an insurance rep, ready to file a report about the wild events that went down. At first glance, it might seem like a snooze-fest of paperwork, but there’s a seriously surreal story that is slowly revealed through some clever flashbacks.
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Players can eavesdrop on crewmates' conversations and sift through event tableaus to figure out who’s who and how each unfortunate soul met their grizzly fate. Staying connected to each event is key, as every scene is a vital piece of the puzzle. And gamers who have Sherlock Holmes skills should be able to complete Return of the Obra Dinn in about 8 hours at the latest.
3 The Stanley Parable
Surreal Paradoxes Combined With Interactive Story-Telling
The Stanley Parable
To say that The Stanley Parable was a major hit back in the day would be the understatement of the century. It's a hilarious ride and a mind-bending puzzle, with vibes similar to the show Severance and it can be beaten in just 2 hours. The narrative-driven video game explores themes like choice in gaming, the dynamic between game creators and players, and the whole predestination versus fate debate.
When the playable character, Stanley, decides to go against the narrator's wishes, things get pretty wild. As the story goes on, the player faces a fork in the road. They can go against what The Narrator says, and if they do, they’ll stumble upon various endings before the game hits the reset button and starts all over again.
Not many games tickle the funny bone as efficiently, at least not like The Stanley Parable does. This is some top-notch satire, and for those who’ve dipped their toes into the gaming world over the past two decades, The Stanley Parable is definitely going to hit home.
2 Inside
Complex Side-Scrolling Puzzle Platformer
Inside
Inside delivers a truly chilling and challenging 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer that makes players pay attention if they want to grasp the eerie world it presents. Basically, it’s played through a young boy’s eyes, who’s managed to escape from his captors, and now he has to keep a low profile while navigating this dystopian landscape in search of a way out for good.
Inside’s story and its ending entice players to connect the dots and figure out what’s gone down. Since it's packed with excellent puzzles, an unsettling atmosphere, and a brilliantly paced runtime, it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon because it can be beaten in 3 to 4 hours only. Essentially, if Martin Scorsese were to make video games, he'd probably whip up something like Inside.
1 Undertale
A Delightful RPG With A Humorous Plot
Undertale
Undertale is a cult-classic RPG that gives off those vibes similar to The Stanley Parable. Both are video games that poke fun at other games or, at the very least, have a satirical twist to them. It’s a cheeky jab at all those gaming clichés we know and love (and sometimes, really, really hate), packed with snappy humor, quirky characters, and that exhilarating bullet hell combat.
Plus, it’s not shy about breaking the fourth wall, keeping players entertained, and actually delivering some genuine laughs—something we don’t see every day in gaming.
Undertale won over critics and fans alike, firmly establishing itself as a top contender in the indie game Hall of Fame. And let’s be honest, it gets even better knowing players can wrap it up in a breezy 6 to 7 hours.
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