Among Us is has taken the world by storm and what appears to be a simple game with a basic interface has been flooded with tons of players all over the world, which has likely caused a strain on the development team and their servers. Hence, the growing popularity of Among Us is also quickly becoming one of its weaknesses. There are plenty of times when the game just crashes out of nowhere.
Other problems include long queues due to server issues and bugs or glitches that prevent the game from being a perfect social game. Luckily, it's not the only quick game around and there are tons of backups for when Among Us doesn't want to cooperate. Some of them are also similar and should keep players and even their friends preoccupied.
Bruh.io
Battle royale games are always popular and for most players, they usually only last anywhere from five to 15 minutes. That's for a population of 100. Now, reduce those numbers and the matches can run even shorter than usual. That's what browser-based game Bruh.io does. It reduces the number of players low enough for matches to be fulfilling while having a short duration.
Bruh.io is a top-down game, which might be offputting for those who are used to a more intimate third-person shooter perspective so it takes some getting used to, especially with the aiming. It's best played with a mouse and keyboard for easier shooting, of course.
Call Of Duty Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile is in a wonderful spot right now as an everyman in mobile games. It also has the full battle royale experience but those take quite a while to finish. Instead, players who are checking in on this as an alternative to buggy servers might want to look at the default modes.
Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, Frontline, etc., most of these will take five to 10 minutes to complete, win or lose. That's about as long or even shorter than a game of Among Us or even the waiting time. The plus is that the graphics are better and the action is faster-paced, though a bit less "social."
Werewolf Online
For a game that's most similar to Among Us, Werewolf Online shouldn't disappoint. It's an online game that's based on a board game so it's very much social and is based on deduction. There are also teams here similar to Among Us, namely villagers and werewolves.
It's based on the same premise, of course. Villagers have to find out who the werewolves are among their ranks before the latter rip them all to shreds. Each online game can take as little as five minutes for one round but can go on for longer depending on the players.
Legends Of Runeterra
Feeling more competitive than usual? Then Legends of Runeterra should sate that need to crush enemies in a one-on-one fair and square match. It's actually a collectible card game based on the lore and characters of League of Legends. Each match lasts around 10 minutes, making it perfect for killing time and having fun while doing so.
Legends of Runeterra should be a familiar game for anyone who has tried out Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone. Players duke it out against other opponents and try to reduce the opposition's life total to zero using spells and character/card abilities.
Rocket League
Much like Legends of Runeterra, Rocket League is another competitive game where victory or defeat shouldn't take too long to achieve. It's practically a soccer or football game where instead of human players, off-road cars compete to punt the ball into the goal.
Sadly, there's no mobile version of it, but it's very much a good side-game for those playing Among Us and waiting for the lobby or nursing a system crash. Each match should take more or less five minutes and players can even set up quick tournaments with their friends.
World Of Tanks
Another game that's sadly not available on mobile but is nevertheless a perfect time-killer for when Among Us isn't available is World of Tanks. It's pretty straightforward: Players pick a tank that they like and then ride it to hell and back, hopefully nabbing some wins.
World of Tanks' multiplayer mode isn't unlike what Call of Duty offers. Matches often last around 10 minutes not counting the matchmaking though as with all military simulation games, World of Tanks can be rushed with some games even ending as early as the three-minute mark.
Slither.io
Slither.io is pretty much the classic cellphone game "Snake" but in multiplayer format and more lenient towards the players. It can serve as a decent distraction since it's not that serious. There's not much pressure in playing it since all players have to do is eat the shiny dots and keep growing their snakes.
The multiplayer component is also a bit more laid back even though it's still competitive in nature. It has rankings for each instance and there's a top 10 where the most efficient and longest or biggest snakes are ranked. Bumping into other players also poses a challenge and usually results in instant death.
Clash Royale
Clash Royale is the sequel to the more intricate strategy game Clash of Clans whose popularity was also in similar magnitude with Among Us. Clash Royale is fundamentally different, however, as it's more focused on quick fun and matchups instead of its predecessor's longer-winded strategizing.
Most of the games in Clash Royale are also significantly shorter, lasting as briefly as two to three minutes as it focuses on short and intense tower-defense matches between two players. Those looking for a more serious experience can also focus on the global rankings for the game.
Mario Kart Tour
Another quick multiplayer game would be Mario Kart Tour because it's literally about racing and is the mobile version of its big console brother, Mario Kart. Even so, it comes complete with all the things that made Mario Kart fun and engaging.
It's better played with friends, of course, since it also has elements of politics in it depending on the tactics a player uses against an opponent. The best part is that all of this comes in a free-to-play package with a low entry point, even for those who want to be serious.
Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is one of the closest equivalents to Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. and it's also a good mixup of fighting and platforming. Brawlhalla is an energetic arcade brawler that pits players against up to seven others.
There are different game modes to suit the players' moods from free-for-all to ranked matches with some politics involved as well depending on who players play with. In that regard, it's not unlike Among Us, only more fast-paced and violent.