Video games are proof that size doesn't always matter.
Sometimes, the best stories, the best puzzles, the best music and more come in bite-sized form. And as always, games remind us that all anyone really needs to enjoy a great story is a spare hour or two.
Below are ten games (new and old) across every genre and device (including smartphones!) that are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Some can be completed during your morning commute, while others are episodic and cover a juicy story in shorter bursts; perfect for whenever (and if ever) you can find the time.
Florence (Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch & PC)
Taking just thirty to forty minutes to complete, Florence is a rite of passage for busy gamers short on time, but who still want to experience a wonderful story. The game feels almost like an interactive storybook, pairing a charming narrative with interactive mechanics and quick-fire puzzles.
You play as Florence Yeoh, a 25-year-old woman who is somewhat stuck in her monotonous life of work, work and more work. And the somewhat frustrating life she leads will become relatable to players across twenty short chapters.
But a chance event (her phone dies) leads her to embrace the spontaneous, and soon enough, she shares an encounter with her soon-to-be first love, Krish. And then? Well, you’ll just have to play it to find out.
What Remains of Edith Finch (iOS, PS4/5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & PC)
What Remains of Edith Finch is a first-person exploration game that has met universal acclaim across the gaming world – and for good reason. It promises players a powerful narrative oozing with atmosphere, yet only takes two to three hours to complete.
You play as the titular Edith, who revisits her ancestral home in search of answers. As the last surviving member of the family, she wants to uncover the truth about what happened to them and whether or not the family is indeed cursed.
The game is told through a series of powerful vignettes, each documenting the untimely death of a particular character, and each one adopts a unique style and tone. Afterwards, you'll marvel at how such impactful storytelling is delivered in such a concise way.
The Wolf Among Us (Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One & PC)
Episodic games are a busy gamer's best friend. They allow you to cover huge stories in small chunks. Arguably, one of the best to try is The Wolf Among Us, a graphic-novel-like adventure based on the Fables comic book series. It features an iconic cast of fairytale characters but with an undeniably noir twist.
You play as sheriff Bigby Wolf, the former Big Bad Wolf, who is on a mission to investigate murders and conspiracies that are plaguing Fabletown. While you meet the likes of Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and the Three Little Pigs, the story is anything but childlike, and the choices you make can and will dictate who lives and dies.
Split into five episodes, each can take up to two hours to complete. And with the sequel hotly anticipated for release sometime in 2026 (we hope), now is the perfect time to relive classic fairytales with a dark twist - all in your own time.
If Found… (iOS, Nintendo Switch & PC)
If Found… is an interactive visual novel made by Irish studio dreamfeel that takes about two hours to complete, but its impact will last a lifetime. The story is set in the 1990s, and follows Kasio, a young transgender woman who, after completing her Master's in Dublin, returns to rural Achill Island.
The strained emotions Kasio feels upon her return home are echoed in the game's art style and gameplay mechanics. Rather than adding to Kasio’s journal as one might think, players must erase entries or images to progress, amplifying the game’s themes of loss and disconnection. It also introduces an amazing tactile element to an undeniably poignant and emotional plot.
A Short Hike (iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & PC)
With its beautiful visuals, cosy vibes and open-world exploration, A Short Hike is no stranger to recommendation lists. And at just two hours long, it also makes for a quick, easy (but also worthwhile) playthrough.
You play as Claire, a young bird travelling through beautiful, unspoilt nature, searching for phone reception. The only place with a signal is the distant mountain peak, and so Claire must climb, hike, walk and soar around the park to reach her goal.
Over the course of your travels, you'll encounter lots of adorable characters, hidden treasures, and collectables, set to the backdrop of an equally beautiful soundtrack. And if the pixel art style isn’t to your liking, you can swap to sleeker graphics at any time to make your short hike as enjoyable as can be.
Journey (iOS, PS4 & PC)
Journey is often regarded as one of the best games ever made, and is a masterclass in how short games can be utterly transformative. And with a Grammy-nominated musical score, trust that the two or so hours you spend in-game will be worthwhile.
As the name suggests, the game is all about travelling. You play as a nameless, robed character, whose only direction is seeing a mysterious, glowing mountain in the distance. As you set toward the peak, you'll uncover the ruins of an ancient and forgotten civilisation.
There’s no dialogue in the game. No imminent task that needs to be completed. No tricky challenge designed to frustrate you. Nor is there any combat – players are simply given the freedom to explore the length and breadth of a rich, mysterious world. It is beyond refreshing.
Untitled Goose Game (iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & PC)
It's a lovely morning in the village, and you are a horrible goose. Since its release in 2019, Untitled Goose Game has become a cult classic, blending puzzle and stealth mechanics in a simple yet addictive way.
As suspected, controlling an unruly goose is utterly hilarious, and you can honk, flap, duck, and steal items whenever the opportunity arises. And the story will see you simply terrorise and torment the residents of a quiet English village, by any means necessary.
The game only takes three hours to complete, depending on how effective a Goose you are. All the while, the beautiful music of Claude Debussy's Préludes play in the background, mimicking your slapstick antics.
Toem (PS5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & PC)
Toem is a relaxing, cosy hand-drawn puzzle game that is bursting with personality. Set in a Scandinavian-inspired world, it celebrates the wonderful world of photography in a way only a video game can – by taking photographs!
You play as a young photographer, tasked with climbing a mountain to witness a phenomenon known as Toem. Taking about three or so hours to complete, the game looks, feels and plays like a living diorama, with beautiful black and white animations, chill music, and clever puzzles to solve. Expect the sequel (scheduled for release sometime in 2026) to be just as inspiring.
Limbo (Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & PC)
Limbo is a 2D puzzle-platformer game that is often cited as an example of how video games are an art form. Its monochromatic, minimalist art style, coupled with an eerie soundtrack and macabre plot, makes it incredibly atmospheric throughout its 2-3 hour playtime.
The game's story is simple to follow. You play as a nameless boy who ventures into Limbo in search of his missing sister. Given the dark environments, there are plenty of hidden dangers that lie waiting for you. As such, dying throughout its many puzzles is part and parcel of the experience, but doesn't take away from all the joy you’ll feel in completing it.
chapters that promise an impactful narrative
Life is Strange Remastered Collection (PS4/5, Xbox One & Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & PC)
Life is Strange is a critically acclaimed series largely credited with popularising episodic games. And with a live-action TV series recently greenlit by Amazon Prime Video, now's a good time to get ahead of the curve and see what all the fuss has been about.
The Remastered Collection should be your starting point, containing the first game (5 episodes) and its prequel (3). Each episode can take about 2 to 3 hours, but the way in which the game is split means you’re able to cover a legendary story in small, digestible parts.
The gist of the original story is that aspiring photographer Max Cauldfield returns to Arcadia Bay for school. A traumatic event grants her the ability to rewind time, allowing players to replay several key events throughout the game and sculpt the story to their liking.
In true branch-narrative fashion, some decisions you make can be insignificant, while others can decide who lives, dies, and gets their happily ever after. There’s also a sequel, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and spin-offs True Colours and Life is Strange 2 to throw yourself into afterwards.
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