The Best FPS Games That Are Too Short

Highlights

Not all games need 20-50 hours of gameplay, but disappointingly short campaigns can leave gamers feeling let down.
Short campaigns like
Aliens Vs Predator
(6 hours) and
Titanfall 2
(barely 6 hours) can hinder the overall player experience.
Though games like
Bulletstorm
(5 hours) and
Homefront
(4 hours) are fun, the brevity may leave players yearning for more.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment when a game as promising as these three falls short in terms of length.

Although not all games require extended gameplay lasting 20 to 50 hours to be excellent, a notable issue arises in some cases, especially within the first-person shooter genre, as certain titles have fallen short with comparatively brief campaigns. Generally, games lasting 7 to 10 hours can still provide a satisfying experience; however, when the playtime is significantly less than that, gamers tend to be disappointed.

As a gamer, I’ve encountered my fair share of games that didn’t quite hit the mark, often due to short campaigns. Even great games can fall into this trap sometimes. It’s disheartening because you might find yourself deeply engrossed in the story or gameplay, only for it to abruptly end when it feels like there’s so much more to explore.

9 Aliens Vs Predator (2010) – 6 Hours

Three Campaigns And Still Too Short

The revamped version of “Aliens vs. Predator” boasted stunning visuals and engaging gameplay that could have cemented its status as a timeless title. It offered three distinct campaigns – one for the Colonial Marines, another for the Yautja (Predators), and a third for the Xenomorph. Regrettably, despite the variety, each campaign can be completed effortlessly; the longest being the Colonial Marine campaign, which lasts approximately three hours.

In the original Aliens vs. Predator games, the brief campaigns were a recurring issue, which makes it surprising that Rebellion managed to enhance most aspects except campaign length. Despite being highly acclaimed as one of the best Predator and Alien games, the issue with the short length in Aliens vs. Predator is more noticeable now since the online multiplayer mode lacks activity.

8 Titanfall 2 – 6 Hours

This Story Is Not Titan-Sized

Respawn Entertainment gained recognition through their exceptional work on the game Titanfall 2, which significantly enhanced aspects from its predecessor. Unlike the original Titanfall, Titanfall 2 offered players an engaging science fiction narrative centered around the unique relationship between a pilot and their robotically-enhanced battle suit, called a Titan.

Regrettably, the campaign for Titanfall 2 finishes much too swiftly, lasting only about six hours. The conclusion seems more like the midpoint of the narrative instead of the peak, creating an unsavory aftertaste because Respawn didn’t produce additional DLC or a full sequel, despite their popular battle royale game, Apex Legends, being set in the same world.

7 Call Of Juarez: Gunslinger – 5.5 Hours

The Shortest Story In The West

Due to its arcade-like feel, the gameplay of Call Of Juarez: Gunslinger doesn’t seem overly lengthy. Yet, it might initially appear unsatisfying to some gamers who expect a longer campaign, given that other games in the Call Of Juarez series tend to be more extensive.

Nonetheless, “Call of Juarez: Gunslinger” is highly appreciated for its engaging first-person gameplay and its art style reminiscent of vintage wanted posters. Although it did not reach the heights of “Red Dead Redemption 2”, “Call of Juarez: Gunslinger” is frequently recognized as one of the top cowboy games available.

6 Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – 5 Hours

A Downgrade For The Beloved COD Series

The Treyarch-developed “Black Ops” series within the “Call of Duty” franchise has earned a reputation for boasting some of the most captivating campaigns in the First-Person Shooter (FPS) world. These games are characterized by compelling characters, blockbuster-style action reminiscent of a Michael Bay movie, and typically extensive playtime. However, in contrast to its predecessors, “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War” offers a more concise experience in terms of length.

As a dedicated fan of the Black Ops series, I was eagerly anticipating Black Ops: Cold War after Black Ops 4 forewent a campaign altogether. While it’s commendable that the developers tried to reconnect with the series’ more realistic roots, the end result, though an improvement, didn’t quite capture the essence of the earlier titles like the first three Black Ops games did. The original trilogy offered up to nine hours of engaging missions that kept us hooked, whereas Cold War seemed to take a step back, despite still offering a quality gameplay experience.

5 Left 4 Dead 2 – 5 Hours

Short But Sweet Zombie Survival

Essentially, the games “Left 4 Dead” and its sequel were deliberately made brief because of their mission design structure. Notably, “Left 4 Dead 2,” which is widely recognized as a groundbreaking shooter that sparked numerous zombie survival game ideas later on, managed to deliver an engaging campaign experience within five to six hours.

After a while, repeated plays of Valve’s “Left 4 Dead 2” may start to feel less exciting. Luckily, numerous mods and fan-created expansions available on PC have kept the game engaging for fans. However, for more casual players, the core experience might grow monotonous, particularly when contrasted with its successor, “Back 4 Blood“, which typically takes around 10 to 12 hours to finish.

4 Bulletstorm – 5 Hours

Over-The-Top But Below-Average Length

Due to the rapid speed at which Bulletstorm plays out, its five-hour duration seems surprisingly akin to a two-hour endurance run. This is a clear indication of how enjoyable this game can be, with its swift character movements and numerous trick kills. Bulletstorm manages to keep players engrossed and eager for more, making time seem to pass quickly as one loses oneself in the fun.

Unfortunately, Bulletstorm, much like other games, didn’t receive a long-awaited sequel. However, in 2017, it was given an upgrade, allowing players to experience the story from the perspective of Duke Nukem instead of Grayson Hunt. Yet, despite this, a playtime of only 5 hours seems insufficient for such an explosive first-person shooter game.

3 Homefront – 4 Hours

Should Have Been The New Call Of Duty Franchise

It’s evident that the game Homefront was meticulously crafted with a great deal of enthusiasm; it was a shooter heavily influenced by Red Dawn. The narrative establishes an intense, apocalyptic war-themed environment, where players are compelled to fight and seek retribution against the invaders. Regrettably, despite its engaging gameplay, Homefront concludes much too quickly, lasting barely over four hours.

As a passionate gamer, I must admit that the climactic battle in Homefront’s campaign fell short of delivering a satisfying finale. When the end credits began to roll, I found myself yearning for more, craving a conclusion that would tie up the loose ends and leave me content. Regrettably, the sequel to Homefront veered dramatically from its original style, leaving many fans, including myself, longing for a continuation that maintained the essence of the first game. The first Homefront felt like the promising start of a fresh, compelling first-person shooter series, reminiscent of the captivating gameplay found in Call of Duty.

2 Portal – 3.5 Hours

The Mod That Created A Franchise

From a gamer’s perspective, let me tell you that the original Portal was actually a thrilling experiment within Half-Life 2, which eventually blew up into a standalone game. Given its roots, it’s not surprising that Portal doesn’t offer a lengthy storyline – clocking in at just over three and a half hours. To be fair, it’s primarily a first-person puzzle game, and those titles aren’t typically known for their expansive narratives.

Considering the context, it’s truly remarkable how Valve transformed a basic mod into intricate brain teasers that demand considerable patience to crack, all while maintaining a humorous yet chilling antagonist who left an indelible mark. To this day, the original Portal remains a timeless gem worth owning on Steam, and its sequel, Portal 2, surpasses it in every aspect.

1 SuperHot – 2.5 Hours

Time Is Not On Anyone’s Side

In a buzzword-worthy manner, the game SuperHot took the internet by storm due to its unique mechanic where time only progresses when the player takes action. Similar in spirit to Portal, SuperHot can be classified as a puzzle game, albeit with an emphasis on combat elements such as shooting and slashing to unravel those puzzles. In no time, the game skyrocketed to popularity and became an immediate success.

Unfortunately, the game SuperHot concludes rather swiftly, lasting only about two hours, and some players felt that it lost its momentum towards the end in certain stages. Despite this, SuperHot was generally well-received because it delivered a lot of enjoyable gameplay as an independent title.

2024-08-08 04:34