With so many games on the market aiming to hold our attention for a long time – or indefinitely in the case of live service titles – finding the time to play a brand new game can be demoralizing. Aside from responsibilities at work, at home, or even to your online friends, another sprawling 100-hour RPG might not be in the cards for everyone.
But that doesn't mean we should shun unique experiences in favor of familiarity. Shorter games focused on storytelling they allow us to embrace new sights and sounds without the commitment that their longer cousins require, without sacrificing quality or artistry. To that end, here are seven games you can beat in under five hours.
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Firewatch
Running away isn't always a bad thing
A first-person mystery game for one player Firewatch is a slow burn, at least as much as the game this short game can be. The opening moments tell the beautiful and tragic story that led the protagonist Henry to his work at the bottom Firewatch. When his lookout tower is ransacked on his first day on the job, it sets off a series of mysterious events that Henry must follow in order to piece together what happened in the forest.
The game's dialogue is a major bright spot, with Henry speaking to his superior Delilah via walkie-talkies. Whenever you come across an item or clue, an option to talk to Delilah will appear on the screen, but you don't necessarily have to take her. These small moments of player decision – to choose to talk to Delilah or not – shape the relationship between the pair and color everything that happens afterwards.
Although not difficult in the traditional sense, Firewatch he's pretty taxing because he never pulls any punches along the way. The characters react appropriately to what they see and hear, throwing out jokes when appropriate or reacting with anger when warranted, and this emotional consistency helps ground the characters. Missing a traditional map or destination markers, Firewatch it asks players to explore, and that exploration should be applied as much to the forest you play in as to the events of the narrative itself.
And Roger
Puzzles with a purpose
Saying And Roger (stylized as “and Roger“) is shorter than 5 hours is a bit like saying an inch is shorter than 10 feet—the scale is just a little off. Still, And Roger there's a lot to chew on despite its short running time. The story takes place over the course of three chapters and follows a young girl who wakes up with a strange man in her house. Who is this man and is what the protagonist sees real?
The main point is And Roger is extremely inventive in its gameplay. The mechanics are constantly changing, players perform fully tailored actions from scene to scene, and these gameplay elements tie into story and story events that play out on screen alongside button prompts.
In truth, there are few ways to talk about them And Roger without giving the game away (such is the nature of such short titles), but it makes it all the more urgent that you play it for yourself. It's devastating, subversive, heartwarming and more, all in the small window we've been given.
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Gris
Find your voice
GRIS
- Released
-
December 13, 2018
One of the most visually stunning games you've ever seen, Gris is an emotional look at a single girl's struggle to cope with loss. Despite this trauma, Gris (the main character) has lost her voice, her will to move forward, and her reason for being. Yet Gris persists, traversing these watercolor environments to regain her own agency.
Throughout Grisplayers will encounter puzzles, platforming sequences, and optional skill-based challenges. There is no danger or death; instead, Gris uses its evocative art and animation to communicate the titular character's journey to acceptance. Every trial is an opportunity to grow, and every action taken in the game ties in beautifully with the story of Gris is weaving.
Even if platforming isn't your thing, GrisThe simple controls, lack of text, and use of universal icons and symbols make it accessible to almost anyone who plays games in any culture or spoken language. This simplicity allows for a more reflective experience, allowing players to absorb the sights and sounds to internalize the images and events that unfold throughout Gris' journey.
What's Left of Edith Finch
Lives lived and lost still leave memories
IN What's Left of Edith Finchplayers step into the role of 17-year-old Edith, who returns to her sprawling ancestral home in Washington state. This collection of quirky stories is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of family, heritage and the stories we leave behind. As the last surviving member of the Finch family, Edith struggles to understand the curse that has claimed the lives of her relatives for generations.
The game is a masterclass in environmental storytelling. As you explore the labyrinthine house full of locked rooms and bizarre devices, you come across various reminders that trigger short vignettes. These vignettes transport you to the final moments of a family member's life, each with a tailored gameplay experience that constantly surprises. Perspective, genre, visuals – nothing is fixed from moment to moment.
Her story is a reminder that our lives and relationships are complicated and beautiful, despite (or maybe because of) the pain and hardships we've experienced along the way. It shows us that each of us has an inner working, that each of us is valuable, and that it matters that we live.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
That dragon, Cancer
An interactive monograph about the weight of love and the pain of loss
IN That dragon, Cancerplayers enter the lives of Ryan and Amy Green as they navigate the terminal illness of their young son, Joel. This interactive memoir is a raw, heart-wrenching exploration of faith, love, hope and grief, developed to honor Joel and his four-year battle with cancer. How to face life when we are helpless against its worst moments?
Rather than traditional puzzles or interactivity, you engage in poetic and often surreal scenes that reflect the psychological state of the parents and other characters in the game. For example, in the intro you can see from the doctor's point of view as they bring the news of Joel's diagnosis, and later you are Joel going down the slide, while in another scene you are the duck being fed and so on. These shifting perspectives from disparate moments in time are punctuated by actual audio recordings and letters, reminders of the grief and pain this family experienced. The same pain many families feel every day.
actually That dragon, Cancer it does not offer easy answers to the questions it asks, nor does it depict a miraculous escape; instead, she honors Joel through small, fleeting moments of joy amidst all the pain and anger that comes with such a diagnosis. In two hours, you will understand Joel and his family through this intimate and heartbreaking experience.
India
A surreal odyssey of devotion and devilry
Thrilling journey through and through, India is the story of a young nun of the same name. From the first moments, it is clear that Indika is not very popular with her sisters and ends up being kicked out of her convent and sent on a mission to deliver a letter.
While the overarching story may not be deep, the presentation of the material is exceptional. It often moves from a humorous or surreal tone to a darker one, making each specific moment shine. The strongest point India may lie in the character writing, with Indika herself expressing doubts about her faith and her companion Ilya remaining steadfast in his faith throughout, even as his arm shrivels and dies of necrosis.
The game is not difficult to play either, with almost the entire experience amounting to slowly traversing tight rooms and corridors with the occasional puzzle thrown in. Generally speaking, the care with which India it handles all of its themes, and the thoughtful, punchy dialogue makes the game easily recommendable to anyone with a few hours to spare.
Wild Hearts Sayonara
Neon dreams set to rhythmic themes
A vibrant, kaleidoscopic video game that pulsates with neon energy, Wild Hearts Sayonara is an exploration of heartbreak and a journey to self-healing. The game follows a young woman whose heart has been broken and takes place on a surreal, dreamlike journey where she must restore the balance of her universe. As her alter-ego, the Fool, she hunts the celestial arcana that represent her inner troubles.
The game is a fascinating mix of rhythm, racing and choreographed combat – all with a custom-written pop soundtrack. Players chase enemies through highways, forests and virtual reality to see healing through, and rhythmic sword fights and flashing lights will get your blood pumping. Despite the scoring system, the focus remains on the experience, allowing the music and visuals to guide the player through the rhythms of the narrative. There are also puzzles to solve if players choose to do so.
For those who don't usually play action or rhythm games, Wild Hearts Sayonara is remarkably accessible. Its intuitive one-button controls and forgiving checkpoint system mean anyone can experience the spectacle without getting frustrated by complex mechanics. Its stylish, kinetic visual language creates a universal experience that's exciting to push through, even if it mostly abandons traditional storytelling techniques in the process.
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