Content Warning: This article contains references to mental health 

Video games are constantly improving and adding more variety to their aspects, like art styles, narratives, combat mechanics, and of course, lengths. In recent years, an increasing number of shorter video games have been created for players who may not want to commit to longer titles that take weeks to finish.

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The best short games available on the PlayStation or Xbox give players immersive experiences, packing good narratives and fun gameplay into just a few hours. While there are titles that can be completed in five hours or less, players who have an entire weekend to dive into a game can opt for gameplay that takes around six to ten hours to finish.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Approximately 8.5 Hours)

A dog surrounded by colorful hearts in the video game Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Chicory: A Colorful Tale thrusts players into a black and white top-down adventure game, where the titular artist has gone missing. It’s up to the protagonist to repaint the world and figure out exactly what happened to Chicory, while also discovering their own artistic journey in the process.

The game lets players wield a giant paintbrush to color the world and solve puzzles. It’s a deceptively simple game at first, but the protagonist’s story becomes the focus as players progress. The title deals with themes of self-doubt, friendship, and the struggles of artists everywhere. It’s a relaxing game with a deeper message that will leave players with a better understanding of the process of making art.

A Way Out (Approximately 6 Hours)

A Way Out Characters

A Way Out is one of the best co-op games to play between two friends who are determined enough to break out of prison. It follows the story of the convicts Leo and Vincent who, despite not knowing each other very well, must work together to find a way to escape.

It’s a thrilling game full of puzzles and action sequences, where players can evade guards, crawl around vents, steal vehicles, and more. As players get to know the protagonists, they’ll be sucked into a riveting story of friendship, betrayal, and crime. A Way Out is an exciting game that will keep players immersed in the tense action from start to finish.

Ratchet & Clank (Approximately 10 Hours)

Ratchet firing a Pixelizer in the video game Ratchet & Clank

The 15th installment in the Ratchet & Clank series is arguably one of the best platformers in the entire franchise. Despite being a reimagining of the original game, it introduces completely new weapons and mechanics to keep the gameplay interesting for players who may already be familiar with the franchise.

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Weapons like the Pixelizer and Omniwrench have become iconic among fans who have followed the adventures of the lombax, Ratchet, and the lovable warbot, Clank throughout the years. There’s a compelling narrative involving the memorable villain, Dr. Nefarious and the Galactic Rangers, which keeps players motivated enough to solve puzzles and traverse the vibrant world.

Soma (Approximately 9 Hours)

Simon standing deep in the ocean in the video game, Soma

Soma is one of the best survival horror games of the decade that uses psychological horror instead of jump scares to keep players on their toes. Players control Simon Jarrett, who finds himself in an abandoned underwater research facility called PATHOS-II. He must use stealth to navigate the facility and find clues about himself and the world on the surface, avoiding deadly creatures along the way.

Soma’s engrossing narrative and atmosphere provide a unique approach to the genre, with the primary goal revolving around the story itself and not resource management or combat. Its post-apocalyptic environment makes players feel as if something horrible is lurking around every dark corner, turning each interaction into an exhilarating mission for survival.

Carto (Approximately 5.5 Hours)

Carto and islanders around a campfire in the video game, Carto

After Carto is separated from her Granny, she finds herself alone on an island, with only her powerful map to help her navigate the world. She must collect pieces of the map and rearrange them to discover new areas, unlock hidden locations, and progress the story.

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Carto’s totally original take on the puzzle adventure genre makes it one of the more fascinating indie games to come out in recent years. Its touching narrative, adorable characters, and beautiful hand-drawn locations work well together to create an enjoyable game. It’s an underrated indie title that provides a few hours of relaxing gameplay.

Celeste (Approximately 10 Hours)

Madaline Jumping Through Difficult Platforning in Celeste

Celeste is one of the hardest platformer video games of all time that thrusts players into Madeline’s brutal trek to the top of a mountain. It has over 700 screens, with each one presenting new platforms and enemies for players to overcome.

The game has an impressive focus on both narrative and gameplay, with its difficulty serving as a metaphor for its protagonist’s own struggles with her mental health. It’s a poignant story about facing one’s inner demons that unfolds in an unforgiving environment with icy spikes and fiery monsters. Celeste is a brilliant portrayal of the worst of depression and anxiety, with the climb to the peak creatively weaved into the protagonist’s own inward journey.

Unravel (Approximately 6 Hours)

Yarny in the middle of a forest in the video game, Unravel

Fans of the puzzle-platformer genre are likely familiar with the charming anthropomorphic character, Yarny. In Unravel, Yarny must go on a treacherous quest across Northern Scandinavia to find out more about his past and his family.

Players can jump on sunflowers, swing from trees, hitch a ride with a fish, and do more using Yarny’s thread. What the game lacks in variety, it makes up for with a wordless yet compelling narrative and stunning visuals. The physics-based puzzle game was successful enough to get a co-op sequel, Unravel 2, which also only takes around six hours to beat.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Approximately 7.5 Hours)

Spider-Man web-slinging in Spider-Man Miles Morales

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales thrusts players into the snowy streets of Manhattan, where the young protagonist finds himself in a battle against the Roxxon Energy Corporation and the Underground. Miles can swing from building to building in the game’s open world, using new attacks like the Venom Blast and weapons like Remote Mines to take down enemies.

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There are a lot of ways that Miles Morales is better than Spider-Man PS4, most notably its fast-paced style that shows in both the gameplay and the story. Players jump from one major plot point to the next at breakneck speed, fending off enemies in between. It’s a worthy successor that expands the lore and characterization of the beloved character.

MediEvil (Approximately 9 Hours)

Sir Dan kneeling with a sword in the video game MediEvil

MediEvil takes place in the Kingdom of Gallowmere, where years of peace and prosperity are shattered after the evil sorcerer Zarok steals the townspeople’s souls and raises the dead. It’s up to Sir Daniel Fortesque to redeem himself from his embarrassing past by defeating Zarok and saving the kingdom.

MediEvil is a classic hack-and-slash game that gained new fans after its remake in 2019. With swords and crossbows, players must defeat Zarok’s monstrous minions to stop his invasion. For older players, it’s a nostalgic experience that reminds them of 90s games. Its straightforward but moving story and charming characters make it an adventure worth revisiting.

Night In The Woods (Approximately 8.5 Hours)

Mae runs down a city street as a fox watches in the Switch game A Night in the Woods.

There’s something seriously wrong with the seemingly sleepy town of Possum Springs, and the protagonist, Mae Borowski, must find out how to save her home. Night in the Woods is a story-driven adventure game that highlights Mae’s struggles with coming home to a town that she no longer feels connected to.

Players must heal old wounds and repair broken relationships with friends and family, all while figuring out exactly what’s causing the strange changes in Mae’s hometown. It’s a heartwarming game that presents both fascinating mysteries to solve and challenging personal battles to overcome.

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