8 Amazing Games That Are Just Too Short (2024)

For a long time, many players have debated how long video games should be, especially when the price of those video games is constantly on the rise, due to higher production costs and changes in the market. However, the length of a game does not always indicate its overall quality.

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Some games are very, very good, but their length is one of their key detriments since they can be either too long, offering an abundance of content, or in some instances, they can be too short. Players can end up feeling short-changed, or the game can come across as unfinished. We're here to prove that wrong.

8 The Expanse: A Telltale Series

Launched in episodes, The Expanse is based on the TV series of the same name, and it served as a prequel to the show's story, where you play as Camina Drummer. The problem was that each episode of the game was a lot shorter than anyone expected.

The final chapter, for example, was less than half an hour long, and as an episodic experience, players felt shortchanged and were disappointed to find that little content was being added with each additional episode. The standard point-and-click gameplay was fun, the ability to decide the fate of various characters was also great, but there simply wasn't enough of it across the five episodes.

7 The Chronicles Of Riddick (Series)

Serving as non-canonical prequels to the movies, The Chronicles of Riddick games were designed to be cinematic, stealth, action games with RPG elements. The first game was highly regarded, but one of its weaknesses was that it could be finished in just a few hours, even though the stealth, the narrative, the light RPG elements, and the violent combat were highlights.

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In many ways, the sequel was better than the original but, exactly like the original game, it was considered too short. The sequel launched alongside a remaster of the original game, making it feel more like a DLC than a standalone game, and it offered players the chance to experience more of the great stealth, narrative, and combat mechanics, but it failed to offer them the time to do so.

6 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 is, in many ways, better than the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, as it refined the original experience by improving upon that fun, dynamic gameplay loop. Lightsaber combat was fast and energetic, and using the force to toss foes and twist the environment was awesome.

The problem was that it was only a few hours long. By the time the story and the characters really kicked into gear, the game came to an abrupt end with a cliffhanger that never got followed up on, so it wasn't just short, but it was also very disappointing.

5 Mirror’s Edge

Designed to replicate the action and Parkour of some of the Hollywood blockbuster movies of the time, Mirror’s Edge was a first-person action-adventure game all about traversal. In it, you play as Faith, navigating a science fiction futuristic world, and using Parkour across the environment to get from point A to B.

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The game was praised for its visuals, particularly its lighting, but it was criticized for its length, at less than ten hours long. It was great fun leaping from buildings, sliding under obstacles, and getting a sense of awe from the sights of the city. It just didn't offer a lot of it.

4 Resident Evil 3: Remake

After the launch and critical reception of Resident Evil 2: Remake, fans of the series were clamoring for more, and luckily for them, a remake in the same vein was right around the corner, this time of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. This remake retained the high-quality visuals, great lighting, and shooting mechanics, and it was a good game throughout.

However, certain scenes, moments, and sequences were missing in the remake, so whoever was expecting a 10–20-hour experience instead got a five-hour experience, and many were left disappointed. The result was that this remake felt a little rushed, and it lacked the finesse of the first one.

3 The Callisto Protocol

In many ways, The Callisto Protocol was a spiritual successor to Dead Space. It was all about exploring a spooky environment, battling monstrous opponents, and trying to survive. It offered gorgeous visuals and frightening enemies, and while its narrative was lacking, its ambiance was great.

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However, the game was less than ten hours in length. A DLC was later released, which extended the narrative and provided additional story and closure, but having to pay extra for a longer game was not something all players were happy about.

2 The Order 1886

The Order 1886 was designed to be a graphical powerhouse that showcased the capabilities of the PlayStation 4. It mostly delivered on that; giving players an immersive, atmospheric third-person shooter experience, with effective horror elements, and it was a good game while it lasted.

However, after just a few hours, it was over, and the game offered little in the way of replay value beyond wanting to experience the story again. It was a shame too, because it was fun, with decent shooting and an intriguing narrative that never got followed up on.

1 Guacamelee!

Guacamelee! Was a Metroidvania game with an emphasis on action and platforming where you take on the role of a luchador named Juan, traversing through the living world and the world of the dead. It was fast, colorful, humorous, and a lot of fun.

The game offered plenty of exploration, puzzles, and collectibles, but at under ten hours long, the time in that world was brief. A longer version of the game with DLC included was later released, finally giving Guacamelee players more of the great thing they clamored for.

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