5 Adventure Games That Are Really Short & 5 That Take Way Too Long

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5 Adventure Games That Are Really Short & 5 That Take Way Too Long

Here are five adventure games that can be beaten quickly, along with five that could have been shorter. The adventure genre constitutes such a broad spectrum of games that certain titles have very little in common besides being, usually, story-driven and involving exploration to some degree. Be it a short indie project or a sprawling open-world blockbuster, knowing when to end a game is crucial; after all, a dragged out storyline can retroactively diminish an otherwise great experience. Even though the idea of going on an adventure is associated with freedom and world traversal, some fantastic adventure games barely crack the five-hour mark. Conversely, other titles last for dozens upon dozens of hours. In some cases, the length is justified; other times, a game overstays its welcome. Here are five adventure games that are really short, along with five that could have been shorter. Each game's average length to complete the main story, as collected by , will be used as a reference. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY

Short Firewatch 4 Hrs

Firewatch is a mystery-driven adventure game set in the aftermath of 1988's Yellowstone fires. Henry, a lookout working at the Shoshone National Forest, returns after a patrol to find his tower has been compromised and sets out to find the culprit. Throughout his investigation, Henry communicates with his supervisor through a walkie-talkie. Firewatch builds paranoia through its remote setting, as Henry's isolation leads to a sense of powerlessness. At just four hours, Firewatch is a short sit that has a well-written story that maintains its intrigue until the very end.

Long Assassin s Creed III 16 Hrs

Via amazon.co.uk Quite a few games overstay their welcome, but the bloated length is particularly egregious since its core is not as strong as Black Flag, Origins, or Odyssey. Following a prologue that threatens to never end, Assassin's Creed III suffers from pacing issues that never let up. Although it can be good game design to introduce new mechanics periodically to keep things interesting, Assassin's Creed III waits too long to completely open itself up; by the time it feels like the shackles are truly off, the main story begins to reach its end.

Short Brothers A Tale Of Two Sons 3 Hrs

via indieobscura.com Starbreeze Studios follows two brothers as they journey to the Tree of Life to collect some water to save their dying father. Along with telling a coming of age narrative for the younger sibling, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is about connections, be it with family members, helpful strangers, or wolves in sheep's clothing. Even though it lasts only a handful of hours, A Tale of Two Sons takes players on an engrossing and satisfying adventure driven by emotion.

Long Alice Madness Returns 14 Hrs

Via alice.wikia.com A hack and slash adventure game with platforming elements, Alice: Madness Returns is an imaginative reinterpretation of a literary classic that also happens to feature solid gameplay and stunning art. Despite having all the necessary ingredients to be a masterpiece, nearly every chapter in Alice: Madness Returns overstays its welcome by a bit. The levels could have been shorter, but Alice: Madness Returns' biggest issues are the rather uninspired platforming sections and puzzles. That said, the game is still worth checking out.

Short Little Nightmares 3 5 Hrs

Blending puzzle, platforming, horror, and adventure elements, Little Nightmares is an ambitious title that can be completed in an afternoon. Set in a strange vessel called the Maw filled with terrifying creatures, a young girl must traverse five levels that get increasingly creepier and more challenging. Little Nightmares lives up to its name by delivering a suspenseful and atmospheric campaign that stays with players long after it is completed.

Long Mafia III 22 Hrs

via: Hardcore Gamer Mafia III comes painfully close to being a great game; unfortunately, monotonous mission design and a lack of polish stop it from reaching the heights seen by its predecessor. While the setting of New Bordeaux is quite gorgeous, Mafia III's open world seems to exist mainly to pad out the game's length, with side missions having to be completed to progress the story. That would not be so bad if the missions were interesting, but they boil down to repeating the same thing over and over again as the player gradually takes over the 10 districts in the game. The main story is good, so it is a shame that experiencing it requires slogging through so much filler.

Short What Remains Of Edith Finch 2 Hrs

Told in first-person and devoid of action, What Remains of Edith Finch is a story-driven adventure game that chronicles the titular character's final visit to her family home. The Finch line has been plagued by a curse for generations that causes everyone but a single member to die through strange means. What Remains of Edith Finch goes through multiple generations of the Finch family, shining a light on their lives and eventual deaths. At just two hours, What Remains of Edith Finch packs a lot of emotion and suspense into its short length.

Long Batman Arkham Knight 16 Hrs

Depending on whether the user loves or hates the Batmobile, their mileage will vary when it comes to : Arkham Knight. Out of all the entries in the , Arkham Knight has the longest main story, with quite a number of missions centering around the Batmobile. While the vehicle's controls work well, these polarizing sections are generally not as enjoyable as the on-foot segments and tend to drag. Unfortunately, Arkham Knight returns to this mechanic constantly throughout the campaign, which can make the whole experience feel like a chore if the Batmobile is not to someone's liking.

Short Journey 2 Hrs

Designed to be completed in one sitting, Journey takes players on an almost spiritual trip through a gorgeous but desolate desert towards a mountain in the distance. Telling its story through visuals and iconography rather than words, Journey uses its fantastic soundtrack, sparse but absorbing storytelling, and atmosphere to create a personal and replayable experience. Despite its short length, Journey moves at a measured pace that never feels rushed.

Long The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess 37 Hrs

Like pretty much all of the main The Legend of Zelda games, Twilight Princess offers a thrilling adventure that ranks among the best of its respective era. That said, as one of the longest entries in the franchise, Nintendo's 2006 adventure game can drag in places. The first couple of hours are particularly slow, even by The Legend of Zelda's standards, and segments like searching for the Tears of Light and the hide-and-seek sessions in the Lost Woods can be rather tedious. While the dungeons are generally great, Twilight Princess loses a bit of momentum in between these points as Hyrule is not all that interesting to traverse.