Great Short Indie Games You Can Beat In A Few Hours

Sometimes, you just want a gaming experience that is short and satisfying, not spending several hours grinding out levels. Indie games often excel at delivering unique stories and innovative gameplay, and may only take a few hours to enjoy. There are so many short indie games out there that there is a little something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a heart-wrenching story or clever puzzles.

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The rise of indie developers means that there is no shortage of amazing games out there that don’t try to become a second job. This curated list highlights some standout titles that are compact and memorable.

9

What Remains Of Edith Finch

Released

April 25, 2017

Developer(s)

Giant Sparrow

ESRB

T For Teen due to Violence, Blood, Drug Reference, Language

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

What Remains of Edith Finch is a first-class story. You’ll explore the Finch family home and try to uncover the lives of its members. There are tons of unique gameplay mechanics you’ll have to master to figure out the family’s mysterious death, like flying as a bird or controlling a comic book hero.

The setting is quite haunting despite being a pretty normal-looking house. There are a lot of deep themes involved, like loss and family. However, the whole game only takes two to three hours to complete.

8

Donut County

Donut County

Released

August 28, 2018

Developer(s)

Ben Esposito

ESRB

E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Comic Mischief

Donut County is easily one of the most unique games out there. The premise is interesting: you play as a raccoon controlling a hole in the ground that slowly grows larger as it ‘eats.’ The puzzles are light and fun without much deep-thinking involved. There is a story that’s told through witty dialogue as the residents try to figure out the mysterious hole.

It has a runtime of about two hours if you take your time. It’s a relaxing game without any grinding.

7

Florence

Released

February 4, 2018

ESRB

e

How Long To Beat

1 Hour

Florence is best described as an interactive romance game. It feels more like a new kind of book than a traditional video game. There are some simple minigames involved that you’ll need to master to finish the story, but the story takes center stage, not the gameplay.

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There is no dialogue in the game, which means that the story is told through visuals and music. Each small interaction ends up being a lot more important than it may first appear, so pay attention to the details. This game only takes thirty minutes to complete.

6

A Short Hike

Released

April 5, 2019

Developer(s)

Adam Robinson-Yu

ESRB

E For Everyone

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

A Short Hike is exactly what the name suggests: a game about hiking. You’ll play Claire, who is a bird and a hiker. Your job is to navigate the island and reach its peak. You’ll meet several characters along the way and collect treasures. You can even glide through some scenic (and pixelated) landscapes.

The game is very relaxing and is all about the joy of discovery. It has a very relaxed pace, and you’ll never feel rushed to complete it. That said, the whole experience lasts two hours if you take your time, and some players have even finished it in 30 minutes.

5

Firewatch

Released

February 9, 2016

Developer(s)

Campo Santo

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug and Alcohol Reference, Strong Language

How Long To Beat

4 Hours

Firewatch is a first-person adventure that thrives on atmosphere and character development. You take control of Henry, a newly hired fire lookout, who slowly starts building a bond with his supervisor, Delilah (though you can only communicate with her on your walkie-talkie).

The story has a lot of stuff going on: mystery, isolation, and personal growth. Your dialogue choices matter, and sometimes, you have to choose which parts of the story matter to you the most. This is absolutely a game with a mood, which you can enjoy for around four hours.

4

Inside

Released

June 29, 2016

Developer(s)

Playdead

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Violence

How Long To Beat

3 Hours

Inside is a dark, atmospheric puzzle platformer. It has an extreme minimalistic design with an eerie soundscape. You’ll help a boy navigate the mysterious and dangerous world around him. The game’s storytelling is solely visual, and it relies a lot on the setting.

The game has some clever mechanics, and there is quite a bit of escalating tension to keep you entertained throughout the three hours of gameplay. It’s a game full of subtlety and definitely feels like an indie game.

3

Oxenfree

Released

January 15, 2015

ESRB

T For Teen due to Violence, Sexual Themes, Drug Reference, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco

How Long To Beat

4.5 Hours

Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller, but its dialogue sets it apart from other games similar games that have flooded the market lately. You follow a group of teenagers stranded on a mysterious island, unraveling its eerie secrets through branching conversations. The game has an innovative real-time dialogue system, so you’ll need to make choices quickly and naturally.

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There are also a few puzzles and some light exploration, but your main way of interaction will be those dialogue choices. The whole game takes four to five hours.

2

The Stanley Parable

Released

October 17, 2013

Developer(s)

Galactic Cafe

Publisher(s)

Galactic Cafe

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Tobacco Reference

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

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The Stanley Parable is a bit of an older game, but it offers a very unique, thought-provoking experience that’s ideal to play in a single sitting. You control Stanley, an office worker navigating an empty workplace, guided by a witty narrator voiced by Kevan Brighting. The game explores themes like free will and choice. Often, the narrator will comment on your decisions and break the fourth wall.

There are several possible endings and branching pathways, encouraging several playthroughs. Some endings don’t open up until after you’ve played through the game at least once, in fact. The game has a pretty concise length, though, especially if you aren’t a completionist.

1

Journey

Systems

Released

March 13, 2012

Developer(s)

Thatgamecompany

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Mild Fantasy, Violence

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

In Journey, you travel the desert as a robed figure, aiming at a distant mountain. It’s an extremely minimalistic game with subtle storytelling and a huge focus on exploration. There isn’t any dialogue, so you’ll be relying on the visuals and soundtrack.

Journey also has a unique multiplayer feature, which allows you to silently interact with other players. If you take your time, you can expect the whole game to take around three hours.

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