Not everyone has the time (or patience, frankly) to tackle an 80-hour RPG. Between work woes, economic pressure, and parenting, not everyone’s got the mental bandwidth to grind for gear or parry their way through hours-long boss battles. The industry may feel overrun by commitment-heavy releases at times, but some of the most rewarding recent releases are also among the most digestible. These approachable hits from AAA teams and independent studios are comparatively small experiences, but they’re not skimping on the fun. Whether you’re looking for silly road trip entertainment, noncommittal puzzles, or palatable role-playing adventure, our list likely has something for you — and you’ll watch credits roll that same day. Check out 10 of my favorite titles you can tackle in one sitting:
A Little to the Left
GENRE: Cozy; Puzzle
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 3 hours
Do you enjoy the satisfaction that comes with organizing your closet or cleaning your fridge? If so, A Little to the Left is right up your alley. This ultra-rewarding puzzle game requires players to perfectly position items within their environments. Tidy up that toolbox, stack those dishes, and sort your desk (before the cat comes to bat it off the counter, that is).
Cat Quest
GENRE: RPG; Adventure
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 6 hours
Cat Quest is a pun-packed RPG that’s purrrfect for all ages. The approachable role-playing adventure is the first in a trilogy, so if this one resonates with you, Cat Quest II and Cat Quest III are just as fun, fast-paced, accessible, and affordable. This is a family-friendly RPG; the silly dialogue, rewarding quests, charming art style, and tame combat scenes make Cat Quest a great jumping-off point for any player hoping to explore the genre for the first time.
Ra Ra BOOM
GENRE: Beat-‘em-up; Action
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 3 hours
This single- or multi-player sidescrolling brawler is perfect for players seeking a short-but-sweet adrenaline rush. Battle your way through ruthless hordes of sentient robots in a world where artificial intelligence has taken over. Pick your character based on your personal playstyle, use earned rewards to beef up your abilities, and ultimately save the world from relentless rogue AI. Play on your own or call on three other friends to join you!
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Unpacking
GENRE: Cozy; Puzzle
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 2 hours
This pixel-art puzzle game tells the endearing story of a frequent mover just trying to put down roots. Help the unnamed, unseen protagonist sort their belongings within each new space and learn a lot about their journey in the process. Sure, it seems pretty straightforward to pull possessions from boxes, but Unpacking goes beyond physical placement to tell a surprisingly emotional tale about the importance of belonging.
Is This Seat Taken?
GENRE: Puzzle
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 5 hours
In the logic puzzle game Is This Seat Taken?, players follow rhombus-shaped aspiring actor Nat as they follow their favorite performer. Sort each room Nat enters by using each NPC’s personal preferences. Bus, theater, dinner date, you name it — place each shape in the correct spot with the help of quirky and brain-tickling audio cues.
Little Kitty, Big City
GENRE: Adventure; Exploration
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 5 hours
Curiosity may be the end of some cats, but not this one. In Little Kitty, Big City, players assume the role of a nosy black cat who loses their way home. But off the beaten path await some surprising sights, smells, and sounds for you to explore. Paw plant pots off windowsills, steal citizens’ cell phones, and so much more.
Venba
GENRE: Cooking; Visual Novel
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 1 hour
Reflect on the importance of family, connection, and culture in Venba, an award-winning narrative cooking game from Visai Games. The titular protagonist and her husband emigrate from Tamil Nadu to Canada, where they later deliver and raise their son. The story is told through meals, each prepared by mother and son.
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
GENRE: Exploration; Funny
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 3 hours
Thank Goodness You’re Here!, a cartoony adventure from devs at Coal Supper and games publisher Panic, got me through my last turbulent flight. The kooky 2D comedy follows a small traveling salesman as he peruses the tiny English town of Barnsworth. Pop into local businesses, put your nose where it doesn’t belong, and, if you’re feeling generous, help townspeople. Not feeling so nice? That’s OK — you can make everything worse instead!
Time Flies
GENRE: Life Sim; Hand-drawn
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 2 hours
Did you know that houseflies only live for about a month? Well, in the aptly-named Time Flies, you become a housefly that’s cleaning its bucket list before its inevitable death. If you only had one month, how would you spend it? This hand-drawn story is among the year’s most memorable.
SUPERHOT
GENRE: First-Person Shooter; Strategy
ESTIMATED PLAYTIME: 3 hours
I can hear it already… “SUPER. HOT.”
Players take down enemies the same way they would in a traditional first-person shooter, but in SUPERHOT, time only progresses when you do. When you’re moving, enemies are active. If you stop, everything freezes. Hmm, maybe you can use that lull to strategize…
Minimalist visuals, ambient audio, satisfying slo-mo capabilities — don’t tempt me with a good time.
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