The Best Single Player Games You Can Beat in a Weekend (No Grinding Required)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Ghost of Yoteiand Assassin's Creed Shadows are three of the best open world games of 2025 with hours of content waiting for players. As great as it is to play a game that lasts for weeks, it can also be nice to have a nice weekend experience where you get through the game and scratch it off your to-do list in one go.

Penny in Penny's Big Breakaway

should i buy The best games to play on a budget

Don't be fooled, $70 doesn't guarantee a worthwhile experience, and cheap games like these can sometimes be better.

Technically any the game can be completed in a weekend unless the players sleep between Friday afternoon and Sunday night, but this is not recommended. Taking into account sleep and the other realities of life, most people's weekend game time will probably be somewhere between twelve and maybe twenty hour range. With that in mind, let's take a look at some games that can easily be completed in a weekend, across many different genres.

Resident Evil 3 (2020)

STARS…

  • How long to beat: About 6 hours

Resident Evil 3whether in its original PS1 format or the remake, it is one of the scariest mainline games in the series. It's more action-packed, starring Jill Valentine as she navigates the ruins of Raccoon City, dodging zombies and a large brute chasing her named Nemesis.

For horror fans who want something more brisk and linear with lots of suspense and few puzzles, this is Resident Evil a game to be played. The campaign is relatively grind-free, but if players love it, they can replay the game on New Game+ and unlock new gear each time they play.

Titanfall 2

An underrated FPS classic

  • How long to beat: About 6 hours

Titanfall 2 it didn't get the love it deserved in 2016, and it definitely needs a little more love now to hopefully garner more support for a sequel. Players will trade between their trained human soldier, Jack, and his mach-controlled AI, BT, through some of the best-designed levels in FPS history.

In typical shooter style, the whole campaign is simplistic and there aren't many turns in the levels, and all players have to do is aim, shoot and survive. Fortunately, despite being almost ten years old, Titanfall 2 it is widely playable on most systems. It's short, linear, without any grind, and often sells for dirt cheap, so there are no excuses not to give this mechanic-packed shooter a try.

Gears Of War: Reloaded

Cover shooting at its best

  • How long to beat: About 7 hours

For shooter fans who prefer cover fire over first-person views, Gears of War is an obligation to play. It is and cover shooter that you can still watch after all these years, and Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster that tightens and streamlines the campaign, plus it's now playable for the first time on the PlayStation console.

Dogard in Monster Hunter Wilds

The best open world games that let you customize everything

These open-world games offer freedom beyond vast areas to explore by allowing you to customize almost everything in sight.

All levels are linear and provide players with squads of allies to take down enemy hives, be it guns, chainsaws or grenades. There are secrets to uncover if players like to unlock bonus content like artwork, and there's also co-op if they want to share their experiences with a friend online or on the couch.

Until dawn

Survive the night

  • How long to beat: About 8 hours

Until dawn is another horror game, but this one is mostly played alone. It's narrative driven, meaning players simply have to move their characters around each chapter, with no big puzzles and no fighting or grinding.

Great thing about the Uuntil dawnaside from the creepy vibes, is that every playable character has a chance to die if they make a bad decision, like taking the wrong path or saying the wrong thing. If they reach their end, it changes the narrative accordingly, but there is a way to keep everyone alive if players are smart and quick in their decisions. One playthrough can be completed in a long day, two at most, and with multiple endings, there are reasons to replay it if players want to.

Devil May Cry 5

Action trio

  • How long to beat: About 11 o'clock

Devil May Cry 5 is a thrilling action game that is flashy, fun and offers plenty of replay value. Each level is straightforward and completely linear, with players running into arenas to fight monsters before moving on to the next challenge. There are a total of three playable characters, Nero, V and Dante, all of whom play differently and the game switches between them often enough that no one character will ever dominate the gameplay.

There are secrets in each level if players are interested in the extras, but they aren't necessary if players just want a great action game to try on a weekend and never think about it again. No grinding is necessary to reach the endgame, although there are a few tough boss fights, but the dynamic combat encourages creativity and experimentation, and is often rewarded with unique animations and incredible enemy kills.

Astro Bot

Beyond Whimsy

  • How long to beat: About 11 o'clock

Astro Bot is a great PS5 exclusive that has everything a gamer could want from a modern 3D platformer. The levels are inventive and fast, the controls are tight and the abilities are imaginative. Players take their titular Astro Bot to several themed galaxies, with major levels unlocked as players progress.

Dodo plane in Grand Theft Auto 3

The Best Games Where You Make Your Own Rules (And Actually Get Away With It)

These games may seem unfair or strict, but with experimentation and a little creative thinking, it's possible to break their rules in amazing ways.

There are also side levels that often have two to three minute challenges if players want to test themselves, but they are not mandatory. There are also plenty of collectibles in the main levels that players may need to track down by replaying a level or two, but that's as close to grinding as it gets Astro Bot will get Otherwise, the handful of levels in each galaxy are fun enough to make the weekend cozy and nostalgic, thanks to all the PlayStation Easter eggs hidden around the world.

Tomb Raider (2013)

Adventure reboot

  • How long to beat: About 11.5 hours

2013 Tomb Raider The reboot is a perfect entry for those new to the franchise and a more massive experience if players want it to last the whole weekend. As a younger Lara Croft, players are shipwrecked on an island and team up with pirates who are all looking for the same treasure as her. Lara starts off defenseless, but eventually upgrades her equipment, such as a grappling hook that can break through barriers and leave the player swinging, and a bow that can easily kill enemies.

It's kind of like a 3D Metroidvania where keys and tools unlock new paths, many of which are optional. Following the linear main route is easy enough and also fairly detailed if players don't want to soak up everything this action-adventure reboot has to offer.

The big boss begins

  • How long to beat: About 12 hours

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a complete remake of the PS2 original that preserves the story while tweaking the gameplay a bit to make it easier to control for modern players. While the jungle environment is vast and players can return to previous rooms or areas if they wish, it is mostly a linear experience.

Players sneak through jungles or research bases, using camouflage to disguise themselves and non-lethal weapons to keep things quiet and less bloody. Players can go through the game quickly if they run and use louder and deadlier weapons, which simplifies the experience, but that would defeat the purpose of this origin story for Big Boss, an important Metal Gear character. It's the longest game on the list, but it's also the richest in terms of both story and gameplay.

Mario surprised in Mario & Luigi Brotherhood

10 video game characters that are legendary by definition

There are plenty of memorable video game characters out there, but only a select few can truly be called legendary.

Leave a Comment