StrayImage: PlayStation
These days, it feels like video games are long-term commitments. Games-as-service titles like Destiny 2 and MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV release new content at a steady clip, and keeping up with the latest storylines or limited-time events can feel more like a part-time job than a game. Even single-player games trend towards giant open worlds, like Elden Ring and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, that could take dozens or even hundreds of hours to beat. Getting lost in massive games like these can be fun, but they also crowd out other games you might want to play—especially if you only have a couple of hours to play during the week.
Luckily there are thousands of games out there you can beat in just one or two short sessions, but still feel like a complete experience. Whether you want a break from those big AAA time sinks, or to expand your library and try some shorter games, here is a list of 23 games you can beat in a few hours.
Everything on this list clocks in at under seven hours for a standard playthrough, and most are just two to three hours at most. Obviously, that time can vary due to differences in player skill, and completionists may find some of these titles can take two or three times as long to 100%—but that’s still much shorter than most games.
