Check out our list of the best games you can play in less than 10 hours for a fun and engaging experience!Don’t have much time to play video games, or after a long game, your body is craving more concentrated experiences?. Well, you’re in luck, because the following 20 PC and console games can be completed in ten hours or even less, and they’re from genres like action, horror, and first-person shooters.
Time is the key factor when it comes to playing video games. We would all love to be able to complete massive titles like Elden Ring, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Starfield 100%, but these are games that require at least 100 hours (sometimes even more) to complete.
Check out the 20 best recent games you can play in 10 hours or less , although the list would be endless if we also included older, retro games.
Best single-player games you can complete in ten hours:
- Sky blue
- Cocoon
- Firewatch
- Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
- Grey
- Hotline Miami
- Journey
- Limbo / Inside
- Little Nightmares I & II
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Oxenfree / Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
- Portal: Companion Collection
- Resident Evil 2 / Resident Evil 3
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- The Dark Pictures Anthology
- Titanfall 2
- Undertale
- Until Dawn
- What Remains of Edith Finch
Sky blue
- Genre: Platforms.
- Developer: Maddy Makes Games.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
- Estimated duration: 8-9 hours.
One of the best indie games of all time . Celeste invites you to climb the highest of mountains, while overcoming every stone in the way, to give a precious message as a whole. It’s not an easy game, but it’s a challenge that every player should take on at least once.
Completing Celeste’s main story (at full speed) will take you less than ten hours , but it’s a challenge only within reach of the most skilled players. You can enjoy it at no additional cost with a PS Plus Extra and Xbox Game Pass subscription. And you’ll also be surprised by its curiosities.
Cocoon
- Genre: Adventure / Puzzle.
- Developer: Geometric Interactive.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
- Estimated duration: 5 hours.
Jeppe Carlsen, designer of masterpieces such as Limbo or Inside, rang the bell in 2023 with the release of Cocoon. It’s an indie gem that you can beat in a single afternoon, if you can solve its logic-based riddles and puzzles.
In the skin of a kind of alien insect, the world of Cocoon is structured around puzzles and “brain-pumping” situations , around an original mechanic that invites us to play with small spheres that contain worlds inside . Special mention to its outstanding artistic design. You can play it at no additional cost on Xbox Game Pass.
Firewatch
- Genre: Adventure.
- Developer: Campo Santo.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
- Estimated duration: 4-5 hours.
If you like good stories, Firewatch offers one of the best narrative adventures that video games have ever given us. Campo Santo’s work stands out as one of the most addictive indies, since you won’t be able to put down the controller until you finish its story.
You are Henry, a forest ranger dedicated to protecting the Wyoming mountains from any danger, especially from the more than likely fires. Will you manage to keep nature safe in the driest summer in living memory? You can play it on Xbox Game Pass. It’s a shame it’s so short .
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
- Genre: Action / Shooter.
- Developer: The Coalition.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
- Estimated duration: 9 hours.
The definitive version of a third-person action masterpiece, Gears of War was the game that showed us that the HD generation had begun , leaving everything seen before in its wake. Marcus, Dom and company took care of that in the unrepeatable 2006 game.
We’re talking about the remaster of the first installment of the series, with spectacular staging, multiplayer modes, and tons of extras. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition’s campaign mode is average-length and more engaging than any action movie. You can get it on Game Pass.
Gears of War Ultimate Edition Review
Grey
- Genre: Adventure / Platform.
- Developer: Nomada Studio.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
- Estimated duration: 3-4 hours.
An indie gem made in Spain, Gris is an experience as beautiful as it is painful, because it explains in an impeccable way how human psychology works in traumatic situations. Disguised as a puzzle platformer, it is an intense story of overcoming in the skin of a young girl.
The emotions experienced by Gris, the main character, are reflected in her dress. She overcomes obstacles, fights her fears and evolves in an adventure as real as life itself . One of the best indie games in history, available on Xbox Game Pass.
GRAY Analysis
Hotline Miami
- Genre: Action.
- Developer: Dennaton Games.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC / PS3 / PS Vita.
- Estimated duration: 6 hours.
Hotline Miami has nothing to envy of the John Wick movie franchise . And the best part is that you will witness firsthand the bloodiest and most visceral action in the industry. From a top-down perspective, you will experience a story of revenge in 1989 Miami .
There’s no time for respite in Dennaton Games’ title, though you can beat it in an afternoon … if you can kill all the enemies and not die in the process, that is. You can play the first game and its sequel in the Hotline Miami Collection.
Hotline Miami Collection Review
Journey
- Genre: Adventure / Puzzle.
- Developer: Thatgamecompany.
- Platforms: PS4 / PC / PS3 / iOS.
- Estimated duration: 2 hours.
Journey is an audiovisual masterpiece. It may not be very deep in terms of gameplay, but we’ve rarely seen anything like it in the industry … and it’s been around for over ten years. Back in the day, it was a brand new PlayStation exclusive, published by Sony.
In about two or three hours you will have completed the adventure of Journey , which immerses you in an eternal desert with many secrets to discover. Special mention to the sound, since the game lacks texts. It is exclusive to PlayStation on consoles, but it is also available on PC and mobile.
Journey Analysis
Limbo / Inside
- Genre: Adventure / Puzzle.
- Developer: Playdead.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC / iOS / Android / PS3 / Xbox 360.
- Estimated duration: 3-4 hours (each).
At this point, there’s no need to introduce Playdead, one of the most talented independent studios in history. Their first work was Limbo , a terrifying game that puts us in the shoes of a boy looking for his missing sister .
Years later, the Danish developer would surprise us with Inside, an experience just as terrifying as Limbo , with a child fleeing from twisted experiments on human beings in a laboratory. They are indie gems that you can play on Xbox Game Pass. You can finish both games in 3-4 hours each .
Inside Analysis
Little Nightmares I & II
- Genre: Adventure / Horror.
- Developer: Tarsier Studios.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
- Estimated duration: 3-5 hours (each).
Supermassive Games is working on the third installment , and we can’t think of a better way to honor the developers at Tarsier Studios (now part of Embracer Group). Both Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares 2 are outstanding horror adventures that you can’t miss.
Both seem to be taken from the mind of Tim Burton , as they build their stories through a very peculiar artistic design. They are not particularly scary, but some of their characters will haunt you in nightmares for a long time. The best option is to get the bundle that includes both games.
Little Nightmares II Review
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Genre: Adventure / Action.
- Developer: Insomniac Games.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / PC.
- Estimated duration: 8 hours.
One of the first exclusive games that PS5 had at launch , which served as a continuation of the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) and as an interquel before the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Special mention to the PC port, a true marvel made by the developers at Nixxes Software.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a brilliant action-adventure set in the gritty streets of Harlem that bridges the gap between The City That Never Sleeps DLC and the game. It’s not particularly long unless you’re going for 100% , and it’ll refresh your memory of why we love Insomniac games. It’s available as a PS Plus Extra .
Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Review
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Genre: Action.
- Developer: PlatinumGames.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC / Xbox 360 / PS3.
- Estimated duration: 7 hours.
It may not be a stealth and spy game, but Metal Gear Rising is on a par with the great hack and slash games of its genre… or even the other games in the Konami and Hideo Kojima series. In fact, it’s easily one of the great games of the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation .
As Raiden (the protagonist of Metal Gear Solid 2), now a cyber ninja with incredible abilities, you’ll enjoy the most brutal action from the creators of Bayonetta and Nier Automata. You can play this gem on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One thanks to backwards compatibility … or by dusting off your PS3 .
Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Review
Oxenfree / Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
- Genre: Adventure / Horror.
- Developer: Night School Studio.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One (only the first one) / Nintendo Switch / PC / iOS / Android.
- Estimated duration: 4-6 hours (each).
Are you a fan of Stranger Things ? The famous Netflix series doesn’t have many games on its own account, but, interestingly, you can find the most faithful experience on another IP. We are talking about Oxenfree, a saga that consists of two wonderful adventure games , with a clear eighties touch.
The extreme quality of Oxenfree and Oxenfree II led Netflix to acquire Night School Studio , the team responsible for both games. Get ready for a Lovecraftian sci-fi and horror plot that will keep you hooked until the end of the credits. And in both cases, with a moderate duration .
Oxenfree II Review
Portal: Companion Collection
- Genre: Puzzles.
- Developer: NVIDIA Lightspeed Studios / Valve.
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch / PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PS3 (original).
- Estimated duration: 10 hours.
It looks like a first-person shooter, but Portal is a deep puzzle game that will blow your mind with its daring approach . The original game is a blast, especially if you play it on a high-end PC (with an RTX graphics card), taking advantage of the recent remaster.
There’s not much to say about Portal 2, a sequel that many do not hesitate to place above the original. In addition, the second game is available in physical format thanks to Electronic Arts. Of course, the Companion Collection compilation is exclusive to Nintendo Switch .
Portal RTX Review
Resident Evil 2 / Resident Evil 3
- Genre: Action / Horror.
- Developer: Capcom.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC / Nintendo Switch (cloud).
- Estimated duration: 9 hours / 6 hours.
Looking to get started in the Resident Evil series ? Looking for something scary and not too long? Resident Evil remakes are the answer. We’re ruling out Resident Evil 4 Remake because it’s a bit longer (around 12-15 hours), but Resident Evil HD Remaster is a great alternative.
Resident Evil 2 is one of the best remakes ever, presenting the adventure of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield in spectacular fashion. And Resident Evil 3 Remake is no slouch, with an incredible Jill Valentine and an impressive Nemesis. Both are on Game Pass (and 2 on PS Plus).
Resident Evil 2 Review (2019)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Genre: Adventure / Action.
- Developer: Ninja Theory.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S / PC.
- Estimated duration: 7-8 hours.
The best-graphics video game of all time, representing the audiovisual ceiling with its ultra-widescreen format. Senua’s Saga Hellblade II is the spectacular sequel to the 2017 game, which introduces us to a more worn-out protagonist, diminished by the psychosis she suffers from.
It’s considerably shorter than its predecessor, but Hellblade 2 will delight those looking for a great story. It’s a thrilling journey with plenty of cinematics, puzzles, and unforgettable sequences . It’s available on Xbox Game Pass on both consoles and PC.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Review
The Dark Pictures Anthology
- Genre: Horror.
- Developer: Supermassive Games.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC / Nintendo Switch.
- Estimated duration: 5-7 hours (each).
We didn’t want to get involved. Any of the four games in The Dark Pictures Anthology (which make up the first season) are recommended for fans of the horror genre, both for their narrative and characters and for their short duration (ideal if you don’t have much time). They are also replayable, it must be said.
Man of Medan was the first in the series, followed by Little Hope, House of Ashes and The Devil in Me. Each story has its own setting, backstory and characters, but gameplay-wise you can expect pretty much the same thing: plenty of scares, twists and creepiness. Two of the four are on PS Plus Extra .
The Devil in Me Review
Titanfall 2
- Genre: Shooter.
- Developer: Respawn Entertainment.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
- Estimated duration: 6 hours.
Respawn (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Apex Legends) has long since closed the Titanfall saga, which was one of the most important at the beginning of the last generation. However, you should check out (or discover for the first time) the Titanfall 2 campaign .
We’re not exaggerating when we say that this is the best campaign ever seen in an FPS. It’s short, but its varied levels, action sequences and sci-fi narrative deserve to be visited by more players. It’s available in the EA Play catalogue (and also on Game Pass Ultimate) .
Titanfall 2 Review
Undertale
- Genre: Role-playing / Horror.
- Developer: Toby Fox.
- Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC / PS Vita.
- Estimated duration: 7 hours.
A very special game that may not be for all players. Created by iconic developer Toby Fox, Undertale is a role-playing game with a touch of horror (at the setting level), in which the player controls his virtual avatar, who descends into the Underworld.
This hellish place is inhabited by nightmarish creatures, such as skeletons and monsters, but also by friendly beings. You decide the future of the character, based on the decisions you make and the actions you trigger. We recommend you try it at least once in your life .
Undertale Analysis
Until Dawn
- Genre: Horror.
- Developer: Supermassive Games (original) / Ballistic Moon (remake).
- Platforms: PS4 (original) / PS5 and PC (new version).
- Estimated duration: 8 hours.
The best slasher horror game in the industry. It’s like experiencing a Friday the 13th , Halloween or Scream movie first-hand, with a star-studded cast ( like Hayden Panettiere and Rami Malek ) and a pioneering technical section for its time. It’s exclusive to PlayStation 4.
We could also define it as one of the best movie games, which presents us with difficult decisions that determine the destiny of each character. Ballistic Moon is developing a new version for PS5 and PC, which is coming out in 2024. Until Dawn is available on PS Plus Extra.
Until Dawn Review
What Remains of Edith Finch
- Genre: Point and click adventure.
- Developer: Giant Sparrow.
- Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
- Estimated duration: 2-3 hours.
One of the best stories we’ve ever seen in an indie video game . What Remains of Edith Finch puts us in the shoes of Edith Finch, the last member of a well-known Washington family. What has happened to the family legacy? What secrets does the old family mansion hide?
There isn’t much of a story in terms of gameplay, but the narrative of Giant Sparrow’s game is worthy of the best independent production. Look at its surprising technical section, and it’s already a few years old. It’s available on PS Plus Extra .
Analysis of What Remains of Edith Finch
Some games that last ten hours or less are included in the nearly endless Game Pass catalog , so you should check out some really good, short Xbox Game Pass games that you can finish in an afternoon .
Even better, it’s a good option to enjoy DLC and expansions for your favorite games (except for Shadow of the Erdtree, which is like a full game). Check out the 15 best DLCs in history .
How long did it take you to complete these 20 games? They are short adventures , but they offer great doses of fun and captivate the player from start to finish. And, as we often say, length is not everything in a video game.
In conclusion, playing games that can be completed in less than 10 hours is a great way to enjoy high-quality gaming experiences without having to invest a significant amount of time.