Summary
- RPGs can respect player's time with tight, enjoyable adventures.
- Tyranny underestimated scope, but offers a unique, engaging premise.
- Short RPGs like Parasite Eve and South Park: The Stick Of Truth deliver riveting gameplay and hilarious storytelling.
In this day and age, video games need to respect a player's time. There will always be a market for epic 100+ hour RPGs, but in this busy world, some people don't have the time or patience to devote so much time to a title.
This is why some players prefer RPGs that don't overstep their boundaries and let them enjoy tight, entertaining adventures instead. Such role-playing games are plentiful in the market and worth checking out for fans who don't want to spend too much time playing a single video game. The following games are no less engaging for their shorter length.
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8 Tyranny
This Epic Adventure Ends A Bit Abruptly For Some Players
Tyranny
- Released
- November 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
A huge reason for Tyranny's short length stems from Obsidian underestimating the scope of this RPG. The game's premise is incredible, letting players take on the role of a bad person who can either be more cruel than anyone can imagine, or try and make amends for their actions.
Either way, the writing of Tyranny will make for a great time as players embark on a crusade against their Overlord, taking on several powerful characters in the process. Kyros' legend makes him a riveting villain even though he never shows his face, and it's a shame that the game ends right when things were getting good.
7 Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
A Fun First-Person Hack-and-Slash RPG
Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
- Released
- October 24, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
Players who want to check out a fun first-person hack-and-slash game will love what Dark Messiah of Might and Magic brings to the table. Protagonist Sareth is an apprentice roped into numerous conflicts where the fate of the world is eventually at stake.
The combat in this game feels great as players kick enemies to their doom, use environmental traps, and make the most of the title's melee combat. The story can be a bit empty at times, but the combat is so riveting that some players will be disappointed when this game eventually ends.
6 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
An Amazing RPG That's Relentlessly Hilarious
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Released
- March 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The Stick of Truth does a great job of helping South Park make the transition to the medium of video games. When players embark on their adventure, it feels like they're watching a long, interactive version of a South Park episode.
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The series' ridiculous humor is at the forefront, causing players to laugh at the sheer ludicrousness of the events taking place on-screen. The turn-based combat is simple yet hilarious enough to keep fans invested in the long haul, eventually leading to a bombastic conclusion that involves Morgan Freeman, a stunning betrayal, and a legendary fart.
5 Parasite Eve
A Short, Sweet, And Riveting JRPG
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Parasite Eve is an excellent JRPG released during a time when players expected lengthy epics. So, they were genuinely surprised to see that players can finish it in under ten hours if they know what they're doing.
Aya Brea's adventures are full of body horror and mitochondrial shenanigans as she tries to stop Eve from eradicating humanity in her quest to create the ultimate being. The unique turn-based combat involves real-time movement as players wait for their action gauge to fill up, before using an array of powerful firearms to decimate mutated monsters in style.
4 Super Mario RPG
Superb Pacing Enhances The Game's Entertainment Factor
Super Mario RPG
- Released
- November 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The remake of Super Mario RPG was celebrated by fans, who loved how charming the visuals looked without losing the gameplay chops of the original. Players will love nailing QTEs in combat to smash their foes to bits while also reducing the damage they take.
Super Mario RPG's strength lies in its pacing. Players love how much music, content, and unique boss battles are crammed into this game. No one will get bored with this title, and some people enamored with the game may actively seek out Culex just to do everything possible before dropping it.
3 Mass Effect 2
A Bombastic Adventure That Ends With A Pulse-Pounding Mission
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Mass Effect 2 is one of BioWare's greatest games, starting with an explosive opening before Shepard is reconstructed and revived. He serves the Illusive Man and Cerberus as they figure out a way to prepare for the threat of the Reapers and stop the Collectors in their tracks.
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This task is easier said than done, with players being urged to hurry up after a major event in the story to save their crew. However, most people will hate to make a beeline for the ending, especially when there's so much to do in the galaxy.
2 Deus Ex
A Legendary Action RPG That's Compelling From Start To End
Deus Ex
- Released
- June 23, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS, Stealth
Deus Ex may show its age, but no one can deny how entertaining this title is when everything clicks. JC Denton's adventures take him to some wild locations where he must uncover conspiracies and figure out which side to ally with.
The role-playing side of things ensures that players enjoy a palpable sense of progression in the skill of their choice when they invest valuable experience points. The game is so riveting by the end that most players will make it a point to achieve every ending in the game, just so they have an excuse to spend more time with the greatest immersive sim ever made.
1 Chrono Trigger
An Amazing, Well-Paced JRPG That Never Gets Old
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It speaks volumes about Chrono Trigger that this game is nowhere near as long as players think, yet it has stuck in their minds for years after finishing what may be the greatest JRPG ever made. The dream team of the late great Akira Toriyama, Yuji Horii, and Hironobu Sakaguchi created something truly special.
Fans love how engaging it is to embark on this time-traveling adventure that never drops, delivering one awesome set-piece after another. Even though players can fight Lavos earlier than intended, most would prefer to explore all the content this game has to offer before taking the final step.
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