Single player games are all the rage nowadays. And it’s easy to see why. But the most celebrated video games in recent times require a lot of dedicated hours. Games can span anywhere from 17 to 18 hours to 50+ hours depending on whether a player wants to just get through the campaign or go at it as a completionist, getting a proper 100% and getting that platinum trophy. Just look at games like RDR2, GTA V, Spider-Man 2, God of War, God of War: Ragnarok and so on. But what if gamers want an equally enjoyable experience but can’t afford to invest so much time? Longer games aren’t necessarily better.

If you feel like ever-lasting single players are not your thing, you’re not alone. A game like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, for instance, is great, no doubt. But given the size of the open world and number of things to do (main story, side missions, bounties, quests, mercenaries, legendary animals, traversal etc), sometimes players can get fatigued. For such players, more linear games are preferable. So from Mario to Batman, let’s look at 10 such games.

1) Dead Space Remake 

Survival horror is a clear favorite when it comes to shorter-length narratives in video games. And the promising Dead Space Remake convincingly banks on the same. The horror survival elements are impressive and it doesn’t stretch the storyline for too long, which makes it an edge-of-the-seat experience. It gets in and gets out at a brisk of 12 hours. 

The game throughout these 12 hours is bound to make players feel a lot of emotions. Players assume the role of Issac Clark, an engineer sent to investigate a mining ship along with the team. Of course, things are not so straightforward as the wild adventure begins once players start encountering monsters. 

2) Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart 

Insomniac Games’ latest entry in the long-running Ratchet & Clank series is a standout. There’s always been a consistency to these games that manages to keep the magic of the brand alive. So, this latest installment under the banner offers no setback. In fact, in a lot of gaming aspects, Rift Apart would feel like a leap from its predecessors. 

In this single player adventure, players can run across linear levels, blast enemies through sci-fi dynamic weapons, and solve some puzzles. The game has everything. Further, not to mention the graphics are a treat in Insomniac Games’ newest Ratchet & Clank. To complete the game, one would only need 10-12 hours.

3) Super Mario Bros. Wonder 

A list without Nintendo’s Mario cannot exist. The latest Super Mario game Bros. Wonder is just short of a ten-hour campaign. What makes this game so special and exclusive is the fact that it has unexpected surprise elements at almost every level of the narrative. For a while now, Mario fans have been rooting for a breath of fresh air in the franchise. With singing piranha plants and moving bizarre pipes, it’s a classic mix of fantasy and Mario flavor. 

Meanwhile, it also has co-op. And up to 4 players can play together.

4) Resident Evil Village 

Having a storyline of approximately 9.5 hours, Capcom attempts to bring a more condensed and action-packed feature from the Resident Evil 4 universe and quite handsomely does the job. Players can fight robot zombies, explore the haunted castle, and also avoid a giant fish monster. There’s a lot going on in the game. 

The sequel to RE 7: Biohazard is a great option for fans of survival horror.

5) Ghostwire: Tokyo 

A bizarre open-world horror hybrid is not scary, but very strange indeed. Set in Japan’s city taken over by ghosts, players uncover the mysteries with their magic-talking hand. An impressive idea? Well, it’s an FPS, but instead of guns, players have different magic attacks to help make way through the haunted streets. 

The estimated time needed to complete the game is around 11 hours. And for everything the game has to offer to the players, this run time does work ‘magically’, keeping players engaged. 

6) Robocop: Rogue City 

For those who want an action-rampage shooter, Robocop: Rogue City is the winner. Being just about 10 hours long in the campaign, Robocop overcame strong skepticism around the installment. Over the years, fans complained about how the world of Robocop got repetitive and stale. Fortunately, Rogue City is nothing like its predecessor. 

Players are introduced to new elements quite frequently in the runtime. 

7) A Plague Tale: Innocence 

A lot of games have tried to bank on The Last of Us AAA formula, but the success rate hasn’t been strong. However, this indie game differs from all these attempts. The ever-present threat of the world was very well conveyed. It’s surprising how it keeps players on the edge when there is so little one can do as a character. 

Every chapter is well crafted and does not feel repetitive or include the dream sequence. The slow progress from the unpreparedness of playable characters to how they find their stance through violence feels very realistic. This one is again around 11 hours long.

8) Hi-Fi Rush 

Hi-Fi Rush feels oddly nostalgic, like an old PS2 game in the best way. Like a lot of linear action games, Hi-Fi Rush manages to keep players engaged. For a lot of players, the game even gets better later in the approximately 10-hour-long campaign. 

The boss fights and the importance of parries are definitely the standouts. Further, parrying to the beat is a great mechanic and helps form the timings in your brain much quicker than in other games, which is needed. Overall, worth a shot for an entertaining ten-hour experience. 

9) Mafia: Definitive Edition 

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a fantastic game even though it has been significantly simplified in comparison to the original Mafia. The mission diversity is excellent, and the gameplay seems decent despite its lack of charm.

To sum up, Mafia: Definitive Edition is the greatest way to start with the franchise and, in public opinion, the best game out of the trilogy. It only takes around 10.5 hours.

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10) Batman: Arkham Asylum 

Saving the best for last, Arkham Asylum is a must play. With about 11 hours of storyline, this original Rocksteady Batman game is the shortest in the series. Chronologically the second in the Arkham franchise, but it released before Arkham Origins, putting the superhero genre on the map. Even with games like Spider-Man 2, this 14 year old game made for the PS3 remains one of the best superhero games ever made.  

During its time, it introduced a new fluid combat along with never seen before stealth. In Arkham Asylum, Batman has to stop Joker who takes over the Asylum. And in the process, players must face villains like Scarecrow, Bane, Killer Croc and Victor Zsaaz.

And that wraps up the list of 10 single players with short but engaging campaigns. Is there any other game you felt should have made the list? Let us know your preferences in the comments below. 

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