15 Best Single Player Games You Can FINISH IN 5 Hrs

Summary

Falcon from Gameranx presents a curated list of 15 standout single-player games that can be completed in five hours or less, perfect for players short on time but craving quality experiences. The list includes classics like "Portal with RTX" and "Resident Evil 3" remake, indie gems such as "Carrion" and "Furi," and unique mood-driven games like "Inside" and "Sayonara Wild Hearts." Each entry highlights fast-paced gameplay, engaging mechanics, or unforgettable atmospheres. Falcon also shares a lightning round of bonus recommendations, offering a diverse mix of genres and experiences, from rhythm games to fast-paced action, ensuring there’s something for every short-session gamer.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Short games can provide fulfilling experiences without requiring a long time commitment.
• 🕹️ 'Portal with RTX' is a 3-hour classic puzzle game enhanced by ray tracing visuals.
• 👾 'Resident Evil 3' remake is under 5 hours and offers fast-paced, streamlined horror gameplay.
• 👨‍👦 'Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons' is a unique single-player experience controlling two characters simultaneously.
• 🛸 'Alien vs. Predator' offers three distinct campaigns, with Predator gameplay being the most fun.
• 🧟 'Carrion' flips the horror genre, letting you play as a monster with stealth and power mechanics.
• 🤖 'Titanfall 2' has one of the best short shooter campaigns, emphasizing fun and varied gameplay.
• 🧩 Indie games like 'Cocoon' and 'Superliminal' focus on puzzles, mystery, and creative mechanics within 2.5–5 hours.
• 🏃‍♀️ Fast-paced action games like 'Vanquish', 'Furi', and 'Mirror’s Edge' encourage quick, skill-based play.
• 🎵 Rhythm and mood-driven games like 'Sayonara Wild Hearts' can be completed in under 2 hours and leave a strong impression.
• 📝 Many short games rely on strong pacing, unique mechanics, or visual/audio experiences rather than length to engage players.
• ⚡ Bonus short games include 'Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance', 'Katana Zero', 'Ruiner', 'Sonic Mania', 'Slay the Princess', and 'Pizza Tower', each offering distinct gameplay experiences under roughly 6 hours.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the Gameranx video hosted by Falcon?

The video focuses on 15 of the best single-player games that can be completed in five hours or less, highlighting short but high-quality gaming experiences.

Why does Falcon mention Portal with RTX as the first game on the list?

Portal with RTX is highlighted for its classic puzzle gameplay that can be completed in about three hours, enhanced with modern ray tracing features that make the simple environments visually pop.

How does Falcon describe the Resident Evil 3 remake in terms of gameplay and length?

Resident Evil 3 is described as a fun, streamlined action-oriented experience that can be completed in under five hours, with visuals as a strong selling point, despite being shorter than some fans expect.

What is unique about the gameplay of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons?

The game requires the player to control two brothers simultaneously using separate sticks, creating a unique coordination challenge and providing an experiential rather than purely challenging gameplay.

How does Alien vs. Predator allow players to experience the game differently?

It offers three distinct campaigns for playing as a Marine, an Alien, or a Predator, each with unique mechanics, and the Predator campaign is highlighted as particularly fun and empowering.

What makes Carrion stand out among other indie games on the list?

Carrion flips the usual formula by letting players control a monster instead of a human, combining stealth and power gameplay in a 2D horror environment that takes around 4.5 hours to complete.

Why is Titanfall 2's campaign considered a highlight despite not being a Call of Duty game?

Titanfall 2's campaign is praised for prioritizing fun and varied gameplay scenarios over gritty military storytelling, with fast-paced movement mechanics and levels designed for maximum entertainment in under five hours.

What common traits do the games Inside, Mirror’s Edge, and Little Nightmares share according to Falcon?

These games provide short, tightly-paced, and visually engaging experiences, often featuring mysterious or disorienting worlds that encourage exploration and fast progression.

How does Superliminal differentiate itself from other short games on the list?

Superliminal focuses on optical illusions and perspective-based puzzles, offering a unique visual and cognitive experience that can be completed in about two and a half hours.

Why is Sayonara Wild Hearts considered the top pick despite being only 1.5 hours long?

It combines rhythm-based gameplay, striking visuals, and music to create a mood-driven experience that is highly satisfying and memorable, demonstrating that short games can still leave a strong impression.

What is the purpose of the 'lightning round' of bonus games in the video?

The lightning round briefly highlights additional short games that are worth mentioning, such as Metal Gear Rising, Katana Zero, and Sonic Mania, which didn't make the main top 15 list but still offer quality experiences in limited time.

According to Falcon, what makes Vanquish stand out compared to other third-person shooters of its era?

Vanquish stands out due to its fast-paced, chaotic gameplay with rocket-boosting mechanics, scorecards, and inventive enemy encounters, contrasting with the slower cover-based shooters popular in the Xbox 360 era.