The criteria for this is very simple, all of these games can be completed in three hours or under (without using exploits etc). The reason for this? Well I find that sometimes, often in fact, that people just don’t have time to play a longer game. So I thought I’d show some of the shorter ones some love!
Gato Roboto
Developer: Doinksoft
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Rrp: £5.79 (Gog.com, Humblebundle and Steam)
Released: 30th May 2019
Is a metroidvania where you play a cat a catroidvania? Well either way what I can say about this game is that its really good. It does all the things a metroidvania should, backtracking, new powers opening up new ways to explore and hidden areas. It even has multi-staged boss fights. And all of this in a neat little two tone game that lasts three hours, more if you want to be a completionist about it.
That’s it. Sorry I really don’t have much else to tell you, go play it.
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Superliminal
Developer: Pillow Castle
Publisher: Pillow Castle
Rrp: £15.99 (Epic) £15.49 (Steam)
Released: 12th November 2019
Portal. There I said it, now we can talk about this without its spectre hanging over the whole affair… I wish it were as easy as that but sadly its not, any game set in first person that has puzzles will always inevitably be compared to Valve’s Portal series, if only because of how well known it is.
What I can say is that this game is very good in its own right, true it is a little on the short side considering the price tag attached and it does feel like there were a few missed opportunities with its unique mechanics.
There aren’t many games that mess with your perspective that truly force you to think differently about the environment you occupy, Superliminal is one such game. I really do think that anyone who enjoys these kinds of games will get something different from this than you would from something like Qube.
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Alt-Frequencies
Developer: Accidental Queens
Publisher: Plug In Digital
Rrp: £5.79 (Steam)
Released: 16th May 2019
I love it when a game gives me a mystery and a unique way of exploring it. In this game you listen to radio frequencies to try and find answers about a conspiracy theory. You get to record parts of the broadcasts you hear and then can send them in to other ones in an attempt at finding the answers you seek.
If I had to compare this to any other game the closest I can think of is Her Story and even that’s that great a match up.
Honestly give this game a go, it’s only a couple of hours long and and well worth the price of admission. Hell I enjoyed just listening to the various radio stations, that’s what took up most of my time.
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Castle of Illusion
Developer: Sega Studio Australia
Publisher: Sega
Rrp: £9.99 (Humblebundle and Steam)
Released: 4th September 2013
Well this is a turn up for the books, a mini game that isn’t an indie title, its not often that happens.
Castle of Illusion is a platforming game where you take control of Mickey Mouse in his attempt to save Minnie. It’s actually a reimagining of the original game (a version of which I used to have on my Sega Game Gear) and is quite different from its original incarnations.
Similar to the Ducktails rerelease its had quite the graphical upgrade which really helps sell some of the visuals that the classic versions attempted to do with little to no memory to work with.
It’s a easy game, if you feel like playing a platforming game with little to no challenge then this game is for you.
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Roombo: First Blood – Justice Sucks
Developer: Samurai Punk
Publisher: Samurai Punk
Rrp: £3.99 (Steam)
Released: 8th August 2019
This game is so silly and I love it. Putting it simply you play as a Roomba that is trying to protect your home from thieves, you do this by hacking into the house and using the house itself as your weapon laying traps and lying in wait. It’s such a daft premise that I couldn’t help but find myself smiling. What’s more is that once you’ve ‘dealt’ with all the intruders you have a minute to try and clean up as much of the mess you made as possible.
Honestly just give this game a go, its really cheap and its a good bit of fun for the hour or so it’ll take you to play it through. Besides even when you complete it you could always do it again and see if you can beat your grade.
