Here Are Some Of The Best Games You Can Play That Are Under 5 Hours

We’ve talked about short games before that take less than 20 hours or so to wrap up, but how about we go even less than that time period for those among us who are really, really time-strapped? Talk about high-tier titles that take around 5 hours to beat, with the focus word here being “beat” and not complete. Completionists can feel free to invest several more hours beyond that frame. 

I’ve put together ahead a list of games that you might find fairly suited to your interests. The entries span different genres, so rest assured that there’s something for everyone in here. 

Got 5 Hours To Spare? Dive Right Into These Fantastic Experiences 

Before I go on, I will clear it up that these choices reflect my personal opinion and are not to be taken objectively. If you have other additions to make, feel free to tell me about them down in the comments section.

1. Journey

Starting its journey off as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, Journey is one charmer of an exploration-based game and one that you can beat in a span of two hours only. That’s right. Completing the game will take around 5 hours, as per How Long To Beat, so you don’t really have to spend a lot of time on this one. However, for the period that you do play Journey, prepare for magic, curiosity, and everything in-between. 

2. Astro’s Playroom

If you feel as if your PlayStation 5 isn’t capable of achieving much, try firing up Astro’s Playroom and gauge whether that notion still holds its ground. Labeled as a demo game that practically comes pre-installed on every PS5, Astro’s Playroom is a masterclass in platformers, harnessing the DualSense in perfect ways to deliver the most immersive PlayStation experience to date. 

The only downside is that the platformer in question is an exclusive, so you won’t be able to play it on PC or anywhere of the sort. 

3. Titanfall 2

Technically, Respawn’s Titanfall 2 is a tad above 5 hours in play length, but the type of first-person shooter this one is — one that sports some of the best first-person shooter slash single-player campaign experiences to date — I’m more than willing to make an exception. Fantastic gunplay, great “Pilot” gameplay, and parkour involvement make this one thoroughly top-notch.

Don’t miss it, especially now more than ever, because the game’s on sale for less than $5 on Steam at the time of writing.

4. Stray

I’ll be honest, a game like Stray doesn’t come along every now and then, so when this adorable platformer with a setting that goes deeper than what meets the eye at first launched, everyone’s curiosity was piqued, just like the cat inside the title when she separates from her akin. Stray is also about 5 hours in runtime, perfect for those who find themselves running low on time. 

eXputer rated it 4/5 in its dedicated review, with author Huzaifah Durrani remarking, “Even though I have a bunch of criticisms of Stray, it is still one of the most immersive games I have played in a long time.”

5. Infamous First Light

Sucker Punch Productions has long abandoned the Infamous franchise, with me — and many others — hoping for a modern-day resurgence, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be replaying what is otherwise one of the best titles in the franchise—Infamous First Light. Fantastic gameplay freedom, crazy superpowers, and an enticing storyline all within 5 hours make this single-player experience worth checking out. 

6. What Remains Of Edith Finch 

If narrative action matters to you the most, there’s not a modicum of doubt that says you can go wrong with What Remains of Edith Finch. It’s a beautiful time whose story behind the scenes goes real hard. It’s slow-paced, you should keep that in mind, but the visuals and the plot make up for every pitfall this title has—I’ll say that much. 

I would do anything to play this for the first time again,” says one Steam review.

7. Katana Zero 

If I were to jot down the best indie games I’ve ever had the privilege to play, Katana Zero would easily make it to the top three, and I’m sure this is how it is for so many others too. Costing less than $10 and taking less than 4 and a half hours in length, Katana Zero is chaos realized. Talk about explosive action, over-the-top smooth controls, and an outright brutal 2D platformer that takes no prisoners.