Many in the gaming world adhere to the notion that bigger is better: one only needs to look at the average AAA open-world game to find evidence of this. And while there will always be a place for massive, substantive games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Death Stranding 2, there's also something to be said for prioritizing quality over quantity.
And, let's be honest, there are only so many hours one can feasibly dedicate to gaming. Though they're often compared to movies, video games have the disadvantage of being necessarily segmented, sometimes lasting dozens of hours and leaving many players with a sense of incompleteness, if they lack the time to invest. Gamers who have a busy schedule or are just looking for a compact experience are in luck, as there are countless great, short games on the market—it's just a matter of knowing where to look.
Inside
Available on iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One
How Long To Beat Inside
Inside sits alongside the likes of Disco Elysium and Kentucky Route Zero as a game that is often cited in defense of the video game medium's artistic potential. One look at the game will explain why it's revered as such: it's visually stunning, with a unique animation style and a cohesive, unforgettable artistic identity. But it's not too highfalutin either: it's well-paced, constantly surprising, and never lets up, making it a great choice for someone seeking a short, hard-hitting experience.
- Main story: 3.5 hours
- Completionist run: 4.5 hours
Inside
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- June 29, 2016
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Playdead
- Publisher(s)
- Playdead
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
Neva
Available on Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S
How Long to Beat Neva
Similarly stylish and vision-driven, Neva is the spiritual successor to Gris that released late last year. It follows a young woman of the forest and her mystical animal companion as they try to staunch a plague that has seeped into the natural world. It's a very powerful story about nature and the essence of time, growth, and change, and while its platforming and combat aren't revolutionary, they are more than enough to sustain its short playthrough, especially when paired with its aesthetic and narrative strengths.
- Main story: 4 hours
- Completionist run: 6 hours
Neva
- Released
- October 15, 2024
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nomada Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Engine
- Unity
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle
Unpacking
Available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One
How Long to Beat Unpacking
- Main story: 3.5 hours
- Completionist run: 4.5 hours
The so-called cozy genre is dominated by farming and life sims, but a straightforward, low-stakes game like Unpacking deserves to be spoken of in the same lofty terms as a game like Stardew Valley. Though it's not mechanically robust or challenging—you can't even really "fail" in the traditional sense—it's endlessly rewarding and satisfying to unpack the protagonist's belongings and personalize their various living spaces. These customization sandboxes form the backbone of a cleverly-delivered narrative as well, so there's plenty to do overall.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- November 2, 2021
- ESRB
- E
- Developer(s)
- Witch Beam
- Publisher(s)
- Humble Bundle
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- proprietary engine
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
Her Story
Available on Android, iOS, Mac, and PC
How Long to Beat Her Story
- Main story: 2.5 hours
- Completionist run: 4 hours
Her Story is the first independent game from visionary director Sam Barlow, who most recently made waves with the avant-garde Immortality. This early title is no less bold than Barlow's latest outing, utilizing a similar, if pared-down, FMV-driven gameplay structure. Players must sift through a series of police interviews to unearth a well-crafted, labyrinthine mystery—a process that is as captivating as it is novel.
Her Story
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
- Released
- June 24, 2015
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Sam Barlow
- Publisher(s)
- Sam Barlow
- Engine
- unity
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle, Indie Games, Simulation, Casual
Before Your Eyes
Available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC, and PSVR2
How Long to Beat Before Your Eyes
- Main story: 1.5 hours
- Completionist run: 3.5 hours
If any game has a chance to make one cry, it's this one. Before Your Eyes is rather experimental in its design, as it's controlled by the player's blinks; this is why it's only available on platforms with some sort of camera functionality. Every time the player blinks, the game jumps forward in time, giving a glimpse into a new chapter of the protagonist's life. It's an incredibly powerful and ingenious game mechanic that synergizes with Before Your Eyes' central themes. Much like Her Story, Before Your Eyes is unlike anything else in the gaming sphere, and with a runtime of just 90 minutes or so, it's accessible as well.
Before Your Eyes is free-to-play for Netflix subscribers.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 80%
- Released
- April 8, 2021
- ESRB
- e
- Publisher(s)
- Skybound Games
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure