Guides & Editorials

The best short and snackable games for time-poor gamers

If you’re hungry for top-quality games but are feeling time-starved, never fear – here’s a selection of bite-sized games that will keep you thoroughly sated. 

Compact games based on popular series

Spend a moment with familiar faces

Enjoy condensed experiences from big-name franchises that still pack a mighty punch.

The Rogue Prince of Persia

Dash, wall-run and fight your way through Persia in this fast-paced roguelike spin on Ubisoft’s legendary series. Armed with a magical bola and razor-sharp acrobatics, the Prince must master ever-changing runs and clever combat tricks to defend his kingdom from a relentless invasion. 

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Take on a brutal new chapter of the legendary action series as a fresh ninja rises to face overwhelming evil. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound delivers fast, precise combat, punishing encounters and stylish techniques that reward mastery in a tightly focused, adrenaline-fuelled adventure.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Jump into high-speed competition across vibrant worlds as Sonic and friends tear through dynamic tracks packed with twists, hazards and shortcuts. Master drifting, boost management and power-ups in quick, chaotic races designed for instant thrills whether you're solo or racing rivals.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Take the fight beyond Earth in a side-scrolling beat ’em up featuring Marvel’s cosmic heroes. Crafted by Tribute Games and Dotemu, this planet-hopping adventure delivers dynamic combos and dazzling pixel art in a vibrant, action-packed tribute to the Marvel Universe.

Games that can be played in short sessions

Get straight into the action

Skip the cinematics - just pick up and play these sessionable greats.

ARC Raiders

Team up and head into a hostile wasteland where towering machines known as ARC dominate the skies. In quick-fire raids packed with tension and teamwork, scavenge valuable gear, outsmart rival players and escape with your loot before the battlefield turns against you.

Split Fiction

Jump into a genre-blending co-op adventure from the studio behind It Takes Two. In Split Fiction, aspiring writers Mio and Zoe find their imaginations brought to life, leaping between sci-fi and fantasy worlds as they solve puzzles, master unique abilities and work together to escape their own stories.

Two Point Museum

From the studio behind Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, the latest entry in the series lets you curate, customise and manage your very own museum. Design eye-catching exhibits, send experts on expeditions and keep visitors entertained as you balance creativity with chaos.

Rematch

Step onto the field in a fast, skill-driven soccer experience built for quick-fire competition. Rematch focuses on tight controls, smart positioning and reactive play, letting you jump into intense matches where every pass, tackle and shot can turn the game in an instant.

Low-investment games for PlayStation VR2

Take a break from reality 

Become instantly immersed in these low-commitment PS VR2 standouts.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Set foot in the exciting wilds of Guerrilla Games’ captivating world of animalistic machines and tribal lore. Come face to face with Aloy and other returning characters as you embark on an immersive adventure full of quests, secrets and encounters that will keep you on your toes.

The Midnight Walk

Enter a dark fantasy adventure sculpted entirely in clay, brought to life through immersive PS VR2 features. In The Midnight Walk, explore eerie landscapes, solve environmental puzzles and encounter strange characters as you uncover the path forward through a mysterious world.

Pools

Step into a surreal, liminal space where exploration is its own reward. With no combat, dialogue or music, Pools invites you to wander vast, echoing environments, guided only by sound and instinct. Navigate shifting spaces and subtle mazes in an experience that feels quietly immersive and tense.

Aces of Thunder

Take to the skies in an intense aerial combat experience built for virtual reality. Pilot faithfully recreated warplanes, engage in dogfights and feel every manoeuvre as you track enemies and line up shots in immersive battles that put you right in the cockpit.

Original games for solo players

Short on time; high on invention

These single-player gems deliver an immediate hit of creativity and innovation.

The Precinct

Wear the badge as rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr. and patrol a neon-soaked city inspired by classic crime dramas. From high-speed chases to tense street encounters, The Precinct blends open-world policing with a gritty detective story that unfolds one case at a time.

South of Midnight

Explore a Southern Gothic world steeped in myth and mystery from the creators of We Happy Few. As Hazel, uncover the secrets of a fractured past, confront supernatural forces and wield ancient weaving powers in a richly atmospheric, story-driven adventure.

Skate Story

Make a deal with the Devil and skate through the Underworld as a fragile demon made of glass. Ollie, kickflip and grind across surreal landscapes, mastering tricks and momentum as you battle demons, help lost souls and chase an impossible goal: reach the Moon and earn your freedom.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

Uncover a narrative-driven stealth adventure set in a striking Nordic city inspired by early 1900s Scandinavia. As Hanna searches for her missing brother, outsmart relentless enemies, use allies’ unique abilities and navigate shadowy streets to unravel a mystery that threatens the entire city.

Episodic games

Enjoy big series in short bursts

Tackle boxset-style stories with cliffhangers that will have you coming back for more. 

Dispatch

Answer the call in a superhero workplace comedy from the minds behind narrative hits like The Wolf Among Us. After losing his mech suit, former hero Robert Robertson III must coordinate a team of reformed villains from behind a desk, making tough decisions that shape the fate of every mission.

Directive 8020

Directive 8020 is the latest entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of chilling, standalone stories that throw you into nightmares tantamount to those on the silver screen. Centring on a crew stranded in deep space hunted by a monstrous alien that can mimic anyone's appearance, you’ll face terrifying scenarios, branching narratives and multiple endings that make each short, suspenseful playthrough unique.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

From the creators of Life is Strange, uncover a coming-of-age mystery that unfolds across two timelines, blending nostalgia with the supernatural. Reconnect with old friends, shape your relationships and piece together buried secrets in an emotional narrative adventure.

Acclaimed indie games that are under five hours long

Compact and highly commended 

Uncover a collection of creative experiences that will leave a lasting impression.

Reanimal

From the creators of Little Nightmares, this haunting adventure follows two siblings escaping a twisted world of grotesque creatures. Sneak, solve puzzles and survive together as you navigate eerie landscapes and uncover the unsettling secrets lurking in the dark.

Promise Mascot Agency

Explore the cursed town of Kaso-Machi in a quirky open-world adventure and management sim. Recruit and train mascot friends, send them out on jobs and step in when things go wrong. As you grow your agency, uncover the mystery behind your exile and restore its reputation.

Despelote

Experience a heartfelt slice-of-life story set against the backdrop of Ecuador’s 2002 World Cup fever. Seen through the eyes of a young football fan, Despelote captures the joy of the game and everyday life, blending playful interactions with a personal narrative.

Sword of the Sea

Glide across breathtaking landscapes in a serene surfing adventure from the creators of ABZÛ and The Pathless. Master fluid movement as you carve through shifting sands and ancient ruins, restoring life to a lost world in a meditative, visually striking journey.

PlayStation 5 accessories

PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player for PS5® console

Feel the power of PlayStation in the palm of your hand1. The PlayStation Portal Remote Player is the ideal solution for anyone trying to find time to play games installed on their PS5 console2, even when they're nowhere near the TV.

1. PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player can stream compatible games installed on your PS5 console. PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player requires broadband internet Wi-Fi with at least 5Mbps for use. For a better play experience, a high-speed connection of at least 15Mbps is recommended. The quality and connectivity of your play experience may vary depending on your network environment. A PS5 console and PlayStation account is required. The PS5 console must be connected to a broadband internet connection, powered on fully or in Rest Mode, and it must be paired with your PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player.
 

2. Games that require a VR headset (PlayStation VR or PlayStation VR2) or additional peripherals (other than a DUALSHOCK 4, DualSense, or DualSense Edge wireless controller) are not compatible. Games that must be streamed on PS5 using a PS Plus Deluxe membership are not compatible. Haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features available when supported by game.