Not every game needs to be 100 hours long. Sometimes it’s nice to get in and out before whatever you’re playing has become a chore. Leaving the player wanting more isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
So here are some games that you can quite literally finish in an evening. If you’re hungry for more you can always start over again, grab the DLC, or look into the developer’s other titles.
For this list we focused on games that can be finished in around four hours or less. Data about game length was gathered fromHow Long To Beat, and covers only the basic main story.
15A Short Hike
A Short Hikedescribes itself as “a little exploration game about hiking up a mountain” where you must explore Hawk Peak Provincial Park, meet the locals, find collectibles, and eventually spread your wings. The game is available for just about everything: PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, and Switch. You can knock the game on its head within two hours, or take a little longer to fully explore the world and complete side quests to hit the four-hour mark.
14Donut County
Donut Countyis a simple puzzle game where you take control of a hole and swallow up the world around you. You’ll find the game on PC and Mac, as well as major consoles and even smartphones, tablets, and the Apple TV. It’s a game that works best in a single sitting, with easy-to-pick-up gameplay, a cutesy art style, a cheeky sense of humor, and the perfect two-hour runtime.
13Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Shredder’s Revengeis an ode to the side-scrolling beat ‘em ups of days gone by, available on all major consoles, PC, Linux, and mobile. The game features satisfying combat, a delightful pixel art style, and support for up to six players in local and online co-op. A run through the main campaign will take around three hours, and you can adjust the difficulty to suit. This is one you’ll want to play over again to master your fighting skills and unlock the full set of characters.
12Unpacking
Unpackingis a game that manages to tell a compelling narrative without uttering a single word. Available on PC, Mac, Linux, major consoles, and mobile platforms, the game tasks you with unpacking a woman’s possessions each time she moves house, across different stages of her life. The possessions and circumstances of each move gradually paint a picture while the mesmerizing soundtrack helps you zone out. The game is done within four hours, but you’ll probably want to play it again soon after.
11Venba
At its heart,Venbais a cooking game about South Indian cuisine, but there’s a lot more going on here. The game tells a tale about a woman called Venba and her husband who emigrated to Toronto, Canada to start a fresh life. Though I’d have liked more cooking minigames, the tale is touching and surprisingly complex. you’re able to play through the whole thing in around two hours on PC, Xbox, PS5, and Switch.
10Jusant
Jusantis a game about climbing a mountain. In addition to a striking art style, the game’s approach to climbing is a lot more engaging than the traversal seen in titles likeUnchartedorAssassin’s Creed. There are notes to pick up along the way and lookouts from which to admire the view, but ultimately the feeling of conquering the mountain with your adorable companion is the real prize here. Available for Xbox, PS5, and PC, Jusant should take about four and a half hours to see through.
9Firewatch
Nearly a decade on andFirewatchis still a must-play narrative adventure game in which you assume the role of fire lookout Henry during his stint in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest. Your only company is a walkie-talkie that connects you with a lookout in another tower. The narrative soon has you investigating shadowy goings-on, leading to a feeling that everything isn’t quite as it seems. The game is available on PC, Linux, Mac, and major consoles and can be completed in around four hours.
8Inside
Insideis a narrative platform puzzler in which you play as a young boy trying to escape guards, dogs, and more sinister enemies. The follow-up to Playdead’sLimbo,Insidetook roughly six years to make with the team starting work in 2010 and finishing shortly before release in 2016. That timeframe is particularly meaningful considering the game is over within around four hours, though the contents will stay with you for far longer. Play on PC, Mac, PS4 and PS5, Xbox, Switch, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
7Superhot
Superhotis a first-person shooter puzzle game where time moves only when you do. Due to ammo limitations, you find yourself throwing guns and other projectiles to help defeat oncoming enemies. The game has received a heap of ports, including VR adaptations, and is available on everything except mobile. The main story can be finished within around two and a half hours (as can the VR release). The sequel,Superhot: Mind Control Deletereleased in 2020, adds roguelike elements and makes for a longer game.
6The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
An expanded remaster of the 2013 game of the same name,The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxeis a first-person narrative game with a strong sense of personality. The game started life as aHalf-Life 2mod that found success for its self-aware approach to video game narrative, sense of humor, and use of a narrator to accompany the player’s actions. This critically acclaimed experience can be finished in around two hours and can be found on PC, Mac, Linux, PS4 and PS5, Xbox, and Switch.
