Best Indie Games That You Can Finish In Just One Sitting

Key Takeaways

Some indie games offer short and sweet experiences that can be completed in just a few hours.
Games like When The Past Was Around and Minit combine brilliant storytelling with clever gameplay.
From puzzle platformers to RPGs, indie games like Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons and Undertale are worth the time.

As a gamer who’s been around for more than two decades, let me tell you, these games are nothing short of a delight! I remember when I first played The Stanley Parable back in the day, it was like a breath of fresh air. Its satirical take on gaming and its themes of choice and predestination were unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. And the humor? Oh boy, it had me laughing out loud!

When one hears the phrase “video games,” it’s likely their thoughts will leap to well-known time consumers such as “Call of Duty,” “Zelda,” or “Final Fantasy.” This could also include MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) or competitive gacha games that require an excessive amount of hours simply to maintain one’s position within the game. However, for individuals managing a busy schedule or seeking brief gaming experiences, maintaining such a level of commitment can become increasingly daunting.

There remains an enchanting collection of primarily uncharted indie games which can be completed in just a few hours – something that many expensive productions struggle to achieve even after a full day’s play. Take a look at these petite yet incredibly satisfying indie games that are more than worth the minimal investment of time players will make.

Note that for completionists, these games might take much longer to fully finish.

9 When The Past Was Around

Artistic Point-And-Click Adventure

Best Indie Games That You Can Finish In Just One Sitting

Released: September, 2020
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox
Developers: Mojiken, Toge Productions
Genres: Puzzle Video Game, Adventure game, Indie game

To begin with, the game titled “When the Past Was Around” is highly recommended due to its compact playtime of approximately 2 to 3 hours, coupled with stunning visuals for an enhanced experience. For individuals seeking a meticulously artistic and subtly emotional point-and-click adventure that manages to catch them off guard and tug at their heartstrings, this choice proves to be the ideal one.

Picture a game that spins a heartfelt story about growing up, encompassing themes of love, sorrow, and learning to let go – all done subtly, without any dialogue. A game like this is called When the Past Was Around.

As gamers delve into Ita’s personal journey, they encounter intriguing riddles that gradually unveil the complex dimensions of her personality. Along the way, captivating glimpses into her life unfold, keeping players hooked until they’ve finished the entire adventure in one go. The storytelling is skillfully intertwined and subtly engaging, making it hard for players to resist consuming it all at once.

8 Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons

An Intricate Puzzle Platformer With A Rich Narrative

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” is another brilliant indie gem, with players able to complete it in roughly 2 to 3 hours. At first glance, it appears to be a simple puzzle-platformer where you control two brothers simultaneously, using twin sticks to traverse diverse landscapes in search of medicine for their ailing father. However, as the game unfolds, it beautifully portrays the indomitable bond between these siblings and underscores the significance of family ties.

A Tale of Two Sons stands out as a remarkable demonstration of seamlessly integrating game mechanics and narrative into a unique and concise experience.

7 Minit

Aesthetic Time-Loop Puzzle Game

Minit” is a streamlined, modern indie game that has won over many hearts of those who enjoy exploring time loops. It asks players to decipher the mystery and escape the repeating cycle by offering them brief, one-minute adventures. In this game, each death serves as a chance for progression in the vibrant world.

As a devoted fan, I’d describe Minit as a captivating blend of a roguelike puzzle game with a charming retro-style reminiscent of top-down Zelda adventures. The pixel monochrome aesthetic is simply irresistible and draws you in instantly. What makes Minit unique is that it can be completed within an hour, but don’t let that fool you! For the best experience, play it through in one sitting to fully immerse yourself in its world. Once you dive back in, it might feel like starting from scratch, so take your time, learn the environment, and discover clever shortcuts for a truly rewarding journey.

6 Superhot

First-Person-Shooter Meets Real-Time Strategy

In Superhot, you’ll find a unique take on the first-person shooter genre: time only advances when you move. It combines elements of an FPS with real-time strategy, making every decision crucial. As you progress through intricately designed levels, you’ll be shooting, dodging, and throwing projectiles to survive, with a soothing voice offering praise for your achievements.

Absolutely, just like the other games mentioned, it’s a quick play as you can complete it in roughly 2 to 3 hours. It’s an engaging game that challenges your shooting and agility skills. If you’ve ever dreamed of dashing around in a Matrix-style game while sporting a sleek trench coat and unleashing a barrage of bullets, then Superhot is likely your top (and perhaps only) choice.

5 Unpacking

A Cathartic Game About Unpacking Items

Coming up next is a delightful game titled Unpacking, which typically takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete. As the name implies, this game revolves around unpacking household items and finding them a suitable place. It’s incredibly relaxed and surprisingly enjoyable, yet it also serves as a profoundly personal experience for many of its fans.

Over time, players build a strong connection with their characters by understanding them through cherished possessions and living environments. Certain items serve as mini-time machines from past eras – consider the Nintendo GameCube as an example. Yet others symbolize a character’s unique journey, the companions they meet, and the growth they experience throughout the game. In essence, it is a clever gaming concept that turns an often tedious activity into a therapeutic and enjoyable adventure.

4 Return Of The Obra Dinn

An Intriguing First-Person Adventure And Mystery Game

There are numerous games where players are encouraged to put on their detective caps and unravel various mysteries. Games such as Disco Elysium and Shadows of Doubt have done an excellent job at this, but none have executed it quite like Return of the Obra Dinn.

Essentially, our main character boards the title vessel under the guise of an insurance investigator, prepared to document some extraordinary occurrences. Initially, it may appear as if the narrative will be bogged down by mundane paperwork, but a strikingly strange tale begins to unravel gradually through strategic flashbacks.

In simpler terms, players can listen in on conversations among crew members and examine detailed scenarios to determine identities and understand how each character met a tragic end. Keeping up with each event is crucial since every scene contributes to the puzzle’s solution. Gamers who possess detective skills similar to Sherlock Holmes might finish the game “Return of the Obra Dinn” in approximately 8 hours at most.

3 The Stanley Parable

Surreal Paradoxes Combined With Interactive Story-Telling

Speaking of “The Stanley Parable,” it was incredibly popular, yet describing it as a hit is almost an understatement. It’s a riotously funny journey and a thought-provoking puzzle, evoking feelings reminiscent of the TV show Severance. Remarkably, you can complete this narrative-driven video game in around 2 hours! The game delves into themes such as player choice in gaming, the intricate relationship between game developers and players, and the age-old debate on predestination versus fate.

When I, as the player, choose to defy the instructions of the narrator, the story takes an exhilarating turn. As the plot unfolds, a crossroad presents itself. Opting to disregard the narrator’s advice leads me to encounter multiple conclusions before the game resets and begins anew.

Few games provoke laughter as effectively as The Stanley Parable. It’s a remarkable example of satire, and for those who have been part of the gaming scene in the last two decades, The Stanley Parable will undoubtedly resonate with them.

2 Inside

Complex Side-Scrolling Puzzle Platformer

Within offers a genuinely chilling and thought-provoking 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer experience that demands focus if one wishes to comprehend the unsettling world it portrays. Essentially, gameplay is viewed through the eyes of a young boy who has escaped his captors, now stealthily moving across this dystopian environment in pursuit of an escape route for good.

The captivating narrative and conclusion of “Inside” encourage players to piece together the mystery and understand the events that transpired. With its top-notch puzzles, unnerving ambiance, and superbly timed pacing, it’s an engaging way to spend a few hours, as it can typically be completed within 3 to 4 hours. In essence, if Martin Scorsese were to venture into video game creation, he might create something similar to “Inside”.

1 Undertale

A Delightful RPG With A Humorous Plot

Undertale is a widely recognized RPG gem with a humorous, satirical edge reminiscent of The Stanley Parable. These games cleverly mock video game tropes, offering both affectionate homage and critical commentary. They are filled with quick wit, eccentric characters, and intense bullet hell-style battles, making for an engaging experience that can be both adored and begrudgingly tolerated.

Furthermore, it doesn’t hesitate to engage directly with players, providing amusement and even genuine humor – a rarity in the gaming world.

Undertale captured the hearts of both critics and gamers, securing its place among the elite in the Indie Game Hall of Fame. What’s more, its engaging gameplay can be completed comfortably within 6 to 7 hours.

2024-10-02 15:34