2022 has been jam-packed withincredible releases. Right from the start gamers hadElden Ringin February and then later in the year they hadGod of War Ragnarok. In between, RPGs likeXenoblade Chronicles 3and platformers likeKirby and the Forgotten Landmade sure gamers were always occupied. Most of these games have one thing in common; they are all extremely long.
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Gamers who don’t have space in their schedules to play these games in a timely manner might feel left out by all these big releases. Don’t worry, the list below showcases games released this year that most can burn through in a single sitting. Even if there is more to do after the credits roll, it is possible to get a complete experience from all of these in a single night.
8Stray (5 Hours)
Combat is not a part of the gameplay, soStrayis appropriate for the whole family. Part of what makes this game so appealing is just how cat-like the protagonist feels. Anybody who has a feline in their household can relate to what the main character inStraydoes.
7Somerville (3 1/2 Hours)
Somervilleis the first game from Jumpship, a studio founded by Dino Patti of Playdead, who developedInsideandLimbo. Anybody who liked those two gameswill find a lot to appreciate inSomerville.The short adventure follows a family as they live through an Alien Invasion.
This invasion is definitely moreWar of the WorldsthanMars Attacksand deals with the toll survival takes on the characters. Though there are some puzzles players can get stuck on, the game can be beaten in the time it takes to watch a long movie.
6Trombone Champ (2 1/2 Hours)
WhileGuitar HeroandRock Bandlet players live out their rockstar fantasies,Trombone Champis an opportunity to be the brass section superstar, something few people actually want.
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The game fully realizes how zany of a concept this is and has fun with it. While using the mouse to successfully play the notes is joyous, it is just fun to fail and hear all the sour notes. As silly of a game as this is, some of the songs are quite difficult to play. The trombone is difficult to master, after all.
5Rollerdrome (4 Hours)
Fans of extreme sports gameswill never forgive Activision for canceling theTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4remaster. There are some alternatives to filling in the void left by a lack of newTony Hawkgames, however.Rollerdromemixes some elements from the Skateboarding series with shooting mechanics.
It seems like a lot to handle, but the game manages to play smoothly and it is relatively easy to get a handle on. While it is relatively easy to get through in one sitting, the yearning to do better in each stage and complete challenges lend to replayability.
4River City Girls Zero (3 Hours)
Players can usually depend on beat ‘em ups for some short bursts of fun.River City Girls Zerois a re-release of an SNES game that was initially only released in Japan. Despite its age, the title has a surprisingly in-depth story and mechanics for the time. This is pretty par for the course for any game with theRiver Cityname in it.
The core gameplay will be familiar to anybody who playedDouble DragonorStreets of Rage, but players earn more moves as the game progresses and the characters change clothes. This is a good game to pick up for anyone who enjoyed 2019’sRiver City Girlsto see the series’ origins.
3Aperture Desk Job (32 Minutes)
Maybe it is not exactly fair to call this a game, but it is an interactive piece of media with which players can engage.Aperture Desk Jobcomes with theSteam Deckand is designed to get players acquainted with the features of Valve’s device. Given the utility of it, it is necessary to have players learn about its ins and outs.
The Steam Deck is a little bit more complicated to use than the Nintendo Switch. Despite its short length, it is cool to see Valve use thePortalIP to introduce players to the system. Don’t go into the app looking forrevelations about GLaDOSor Cell, however.
2Shadow Warrior 3 (5 Hours)
The world needs more linear first-person shooters. WhileCall of Dutycampaigns always impress, they sometimes feel more like rollercoasters than grounded shooting galleries. While waiting for a newDoomorWolfenstein, players can sate themselves with an appetizer likeShadow Warrior 3.
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Anyone worried about the series' arguably problematic past can take solace in knowing they recast the main character with an Asian-American actor and change the humor in general. The gameplay is still the zany FPS goodness for which the series is known, however.
1Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (2 1/2 Hours)
Older gamers fondly recall the bestTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesbeat ‘em ups. It is a good thing, then, that younger gamers can experience all those classics thanks to theCowabunga Collectionwhile also enjoying a totally new game inShredder’s Revenge.
The title takes the best things about the older games and updates them for modern gamers.The co-op allows for up to six players to join in on the action, meaning fewer people are left out at family gatherings. The game does not overstay its welcome either, coming in at just under three hours long.
