Every year, it seems like the best games are dozens of hours long. My personal favorites of the last three years—Metaphor: Refantazio, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring—have all consumed at least 100 hours of my life each, and even games of a more modest length, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, can still often feel like a major undertaking.
As you might imagine, I have to play a lot of games for my career (what a tragedy), so I've been doing my best to spend my non-work-related gaming hours on trim, concise experiences. And while I think I'll always be partial to longer games, short games have a special place in my heart too. Here are a few that I think are worthy of more attention.
Afterlove EP
I'm surprised at how much I like this game, as it's really not my cup of tea on paper. It's a visual novel, which isn't a genre I tend to gravitate toward, and its dialog is quite cheesy in a way that could so easily be considered irritating. But in fact, Afterlove EP is charming, fun, and unexpectedly moving. A few manly tears threaten to creep out of me whenever I think about this game, partially because of its subject matter—the death of a loved one—but also because of its development context. Afterlove EP was directed by Mohammad Fahmi, who died shortly before its release, making the game's story uncomfortably relevant. Fahmi may rest a little easier knowing that his last project was an excellent one, and well worth checking out.
How long to beat Afterlove EP
- About seven hours for a single playthrough, but branching narrative paths mean that repeat playthroughs can net you north of 20 hours.
Afterlove EP
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Indie Games, Casual
Endling: Extinction Is Forever
I did not intend to include back-to-back tearjerkers, but here we are. As its name suggests, Endling: Extinction Is Forever is about humanity's devastating impact on nature. It's told from the perspective of the last adult fox on Earth, as she attempts to keep her cubs safe and prepared for the brutally indifferent world they've just entered. It's a thought-provoking and heartbreaking work that makes you marvel at the beauty of the natural world while inwardly scowling at the wasteful idiocy of humanity's rebellion against it.
How long to beat Endling: Extinction Is Forever
- Main story: 4 hours
- 100%: 5.5 hours
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- July 19, 2022
- ESRB
- T For Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Publisher(s)
- HandyGames
WHERE TO PLAY
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
If, for whatever reason, you don't quite feel like getting down in the dumps this weekend, Octodad: Dadliest Catch might be more your speed. Fun fact: this is the game that got me to buy a PS4 at launch. I must have been onto something, since Octodad is genuinely creative, innovative, and hilarious. Its QWOP-like movement mechanics can be hard to get used to at first, but when you get them down, you'll be flying around its levels with absurd speed and elegance. Its narrative is simple and silly, with more than a few side-splitting bits and jokes hidden within its brief runtime.
How Long to Beat Octodad: Dadliest Catch
- Main story: 2.5 hours
- 100%: 7.5 hours
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73 /100 Critics Rec: 52%
- Released
- January 30, 2014
- ESRB
- e
- Engine
- Irrlicht Engine
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Ghostrunner
If you don't want to feel depressed, or laugh at your own absurdity, then maybe you'll settle for feeling like a complete badass. Ghostrunner is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred action game that demands perfection with every slice, jump, and wallrun. You'll die again and again before you conquer the game's toughest encounters, but it's all worth it in the end. Once you get into the swing of things, you'll feel unstoppable, like a buzzing housefly of death, or a ballerina assassin. It's a damn good time—just keep your head cool.
How Long to Beat Ghostrunner
- Main story: 7.5 hours
- 100%: 14 hours
Ghostrunner
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- October 27, 2020
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- One More Level, Slipgate Ironworks
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games, All In! Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Action