I enjoy games where I can jump in for a short while and still feel like I’ve accomplished something meaningful. For example, I like Helldivers 2 and recently had a lot of fun with R.E.P.O. Can you recommend other games that give a strong sense of progress or achievement in short bursts, without needing to commit huge chunks of time?
5 Answers
For something chill and bite-sized, Dave the Diver is pretty solid. You can do a couple of fishing trips and serve dinner in around 20 minutes, so it fits nicely into quick play sessions.
Honestly, any of the Civilization games can fit your needs if you just play a few turns at a time. You get a solid sense of progress without needing to commit hours straight, although be warned: that “just one more turn” trap is real!
Totally! That one more turn feeling is both a curse and a blessing with Civ.
Haha, yeah I know what you mean. Just one turn always ends up being way more.
Roguelikes like Hades also give a great sense of progress in sessions that can start short but get longer as you improve. It’s great for popping in and out, and each run feels rewarding. Just note that runs might start taking longer as you get into the later stages of the game.
Indie roguelite games are great for what you’re describing. They usually have runs that take around 20-30 minutes, so you can get a full experience in one sitting. Deadzone Rogue is one example that’s currently in demo on Steam and looks really promising once fully released.
If you’re into games that let you play in really short sessions, I’d suggest something like the Tony Hawk 1 & 2 remake. You can knock out runs in just a couple of minutes, which is perfect for popping in and out quickly.
Oh sweet, I hadn’t heard about Dave the Diver before — sounds like a perfect casual game to add to my rotation!