Guide: Short Games That are Worth Playing

Sitting all day in front of the computer is tiring. Add to that the time you spend working, plus the hours watching TV during lunch, a series or movie at night, and suddenly the idea of ​​playing games like The Withcher 3 or looking at those giant maps in Assassin's Creed makes you tired. It wasn't as fun as it used to be.

These games didn't necessarily need to be long and full of side quests, maps with thousands of question marks waiting to be discovered, or 200 hours of gameplay to be good. The idea was to pass the time, have fun, and relax. So, let's make a list, prioritizing narrative-driven games that are worth the money (after all, stuff is expensive). Nothing that relies on skill or reflexes, so no one feels stuck because they can't get past a specific part.

The list I’ve put together mixes a few genres, but ultimately, puzzle games, atmospheric platformers, and interactive stories are the ones that work best in this format. Let's take a look at them, and if you have any questions, leave a comment.

Her Story is an FMV (Full Motion Video) game and, at the same time, an excellent thriller. In it, you don't know exactly who's missing or what you're looking for. What you have at your disposal are hours of video interviews with a woman who, apparently, killed her husband. From there, the game involves you trying to understand what happened, using a search bar to find excerpts from the interviews.

Her Story pretty much has no "gameplay": you search, watch a short video, find a keyword, and search again. Simple, but extremely engaging. The game gradually builds tension, with well-placed twists. It's like solving a good escape room: you're immersed in a mystery, trying to piece together the pieces like a detective.

Avoid Telling Lies, by the same creator. Despite the similar premise, the pace’s dragged, the videos are too long, and the story ends up taking a back seat. By the end, you just want it to be over. Just a warning.

Perhaps I should mention Limbo, but Inside is by far the better of the two. Here, you control a boy fleeing through a dark industrial world, where scientists seem to be experimenting on soulless bodies. Unlike Limbo, where certain puzzles feel thrown in just for the sake of it, Inside gives you the feeling that everything has a purpose. Every step seems to count towards something.

The game’s dark, strange, and uncomfortable - and that's exactly why it's great. From the tense beginning to the grotesque ending, you find yourself trapped in that atmosphere. The challenges are fair, and there's a part with an "aquatic creature" that’ll stay with you for a long time.

Journey always appears on lists of the best short games, and for a good reason. It's a roughly two-hour experience, where you just walk and explore. And enjoy.

There are no enemies, no death, just beautiful landscapes and a perfect soundtrack. The game has a fable-like feel, of something bigger than you understand at first glance. And even without a traditionally "told" story, it still leaves a mark.

If you enjoy this approach, you should also try Gris, which is beautiful and emotional (sometimes too much so, but still worth it).

We have some good lists of relaxing games here on the site, but cozy games aren't always short. Sometimes it's about managing farms, gathering items, and figuring out what your partner wants as a gift (plus remembering their birthday). It ends up becoming a second job. But that's not the case with Mika and the Witch's Mountain.

Heavily inspired by Studio Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service, here you control apprentice witch Mika as she flies around an island on a broomstick, delivering packages and meeting the friendly locals. In two hours at most, you'll have completed all your deliveries and can simply stroll around and chat with people.

TING (as sometimes abbreviated) is an unusual point-and-click game. It plays with the interface, defies game logic, and constantly breaks the fourth wall.

At first, it can be a bit frustrating until you understand the "meta" logic of the puzzles. But after that, the game really picks up and surprises you. The idea that "there's no game here" becomes a creative excuse to poke fun at various game genres, from RPGs to arcades. The ending is a bit lukewarm, but the journey there is worth it.

DDLC wasn’t the first visual novel in which you get involved with beautiful girls, get to know their past, likes, and even problems, help them, and ultimately end up as a romantic partner. It's a type of game that many people dislike, as there's little real interactivity and a lot of text (the vast majority of these types of games are also focused on sex, known as "eroge"). But the buzz surrounding DDLC and its "horror game" label turns away from this stereotype.

The first hour is hard: it seems like just a silly simulator where you're part of a school literature club. But then comes the twist. And what a twist. The game completely breaks expectations and starts playing with the game's own files, creating a unique experience. Even though it's linear and limited, the impact’s real. You just need to be patient at first.

In the same style as DDLC, MiSide is a game that also plays with its genre and subverts player expectations at the end. Here, we're in a beautiful, colorful, and idyllic house with the lively and friendly Mita, who does everything to entertain and charm you, asking you to stay with her forever. You play video games, chat, she's sweet and funny. Everything seems perfect.

"Go to the kitchen, get me something, but don't look in the drawer/cupboard/fridge/etc." You go to the kitchen, grab the item, and the thing she tells you not to look at, moves or makes a noise, you look, and everything starts to go wrong.

Strange things happen, and you, curious to investigate, end up embarking on a journey through this strange house and meeting several variations of Mita. Some are slightly different in appearance and personality, others are frightening and disturbing. The game has become so popular on video-based social media like TikTok that it's very likely that you already know the final mystery, but knowing the end of a path isn't the same as walking it yourself.

[h1] {Little Nightmares}

Little Nightmares also puts you in the shoes of a child escaping a bizarre world. The aesthetic is that of a twisted and disturbing fairy tale. There's no way to fight the strange creatures that roam the dark environments, and all you have to do is run, hide, and avoid being caught by creatures with long arms that still stretch.

There's no clear narrative, but everything communicates something: the environments, the enemies, the sounds. The art direction is impeccable and creates a universe that makes you want to explore, even being hostile. If I had to choose between this and Inside, I'd still go with Inside. But Little Nightmares is a great addition for those who enjoy that vibe.

A quite heavy game, but if you're looking for an immersive and emotional experience, this narrative story will hit the spot. It's not exactly a game; That Dragon, Cancer is simply the story of a father who lived and fought against his four-year-old son's cancer. You navigate simple scenarios, interact with objects, and discover this family's story.

Using a mix of first- and third-person perspectives and point-and-click interaction, this two-hour narrative experience invites players to slow down and immerse themselves in a deeply personal story, with audio extracted from home videos, spoken-word poetry, and themes of faith, hope, despair, helplessness, and love. In-game tributes to the loved ones of over 200 Kickstarter backers who helped build and fund this project are also included.

Of Rusty Lake's games, The White Door is one of the most acclaimed, and it deserves to be played whether you're looking for something short or not. The visuals are reminiscent of a black-and-white graphic novel, and the story follows a man dealing with depression.

As with other puzzle-filled games, not everything makes immediate sense, but this one’s less annoying. The split-screen interface is creative, the puzzles are simple and satisfying, and the bleak atmosphere never becomes too oppressive. Other Rusty Lake games are also good, but this one has something that grabs your attention faster.

Untitled Goose Game is about being a goose - and wreaking havoc in a British village. It's that simple. With a list of absurd tasks, you have to annoy the villagers, steal objects, and cause chaos. Playing alone or with someone else, it's impossible not to laugh.

It has some bugs and can get tiring if played for too long. But in 30 to 45-minute sessions, it's guaranteed fun. It's the kind of game that deserves an online version with flocks of geese causing all kinds of chaos together.

Oxenfree is a tough one. The idea is great: teenagers stranded on a haunted island, with supernatural phenomena and time travel. The execution… not so much. Still, it's a short game with good ideas. If it doesn't get you in the first hour, you can stop without guilt - it won't get much better after that.

What works well is the dialogue system: you have to answer in real time, like in a real conversation. This gives the interactions rhythm and naturality, which is rare. But the characters react strangely calmly to bizarre events. The tone of the story feels confusing, and the ending doesn't deliver on everything it promises.

These short games prove that you don't always need to spend 60 hours in front of a screen to experience a good story or a memorable experience. They're ideal for those who want to play something good, even if it's short, without feeling like they wasted money, without pressure, or just want a break from the usual marathons.

If you feel like playing games has become more of a chore than a pleasure, giving these shorter experiences a chance might be just what you need. And the best part: if a game doesn't grab your attention, that's okay. You invested little, you spent two or three hours, not weeks of your life.

Who said it has to be long to be worth it? Do you agree? Do you disagree with the list? Leave a comment.