Last week, I talked about some of the biggest and longest turn-based RPGs out there. This week, I’m doing the exact opposite.
We’d all love to have more time for our hobbies, but real life intervenes. Whether it’s because of school, work, or other responsibilities, a massive 80+ hour RPG just might not be feasible, and that’s okay!
There are plenty of games that offer all the story, strategy, and gameplay you crave, and that you can reasonably finish even if you only have an hour or two a day to play.
I’ve picked some of my favorite RPGs that come in at under 20 hours. In most cases, that’s just to get from New Game to the end credits, but for some of these games you might even be able to see and do everything in that time! Let me know what your favorite short RPG is in the comments on Reddit.
Jack Move
- Developer: So Romantic
- Release Date: 8 September, 2022
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Jack Move is a smart, stylish cyberpunk adventure that doesn’t take the massive time investment of 2077.
Unlike most RPGs, you’ll be on your own with no party members to back you up, but Noa can change loadouts on the fly during cybercombat as you infiltrate and investigate the dealings of an insidious megacorporation.
If you’re planning to get Jack Move on Steam, it’s offered as part of a few different bundles. You can get it alongside Keylocker for more turn-based cyberpunk goodness, Black Book for an occult-themed RPG with another compelling female protagonist, or with Escape From Ever After for more battles against giant corporations.
Small Saga
- Developer: Darya Noghani
- Release Date: 16 November, 2023
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
If you grew up loving stories like Redwall or The Borrowers, then you’re going to love everything that Small Saga has to offer.
Hidden beneath London is a kingdom of rodents, taking what they need to survive and trying to avoid the notice of the godlike larger creatures. As the vengeful Verm, you’ll face these gods in battle to reclaim your honor and your tail!
As an added bonus, the Small Saga Deluxe Edition comes with a Travel Guide, a dive into the game’s world and lore that expands on its already-infectious charm. It also includes the soundtrack, a nice addition to any indie game!
West of Loathing
- Developer: Asymmetric
- Release Date: 10 August, 2017
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, iOS
- Steam Page
If you remember the browser-based Kingdom of Loathing from way back in 2003, then you already know what to expect with West of Loathing, just with more cowboys. If not, don’t let the stick-figures fool you – this zany, slapstick RPG isn’t just loaded with non-stop gags from beginning to end, but it’s also a genuinely solid game.
The only real problem with West of Loathing is that it’s over too quickly. Thankfully, there’s the Reckonin’ at Gun Manor DLC to get just a little bit more gunslinging mayhem before returning to the decidedly less rootin’-tootin’ world of color and three dimensions.
Child of Light
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Release Date: 30 April, 2014
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
There was a time when Ubisoft was best known for short-but-memorable games, and fairytale RPG platformer Child of Light feels like the swan song of that era.
It’s the standard tale of a young girl called to save a magical world, but between its lovely watercolor visuals, clever gameplay, and overall top-notch presentation, it feels like one of the best examples of this timeless tale.
As it happens, Child of Light is 70% off on Steam until 27 July. If you haven’t played it, or are looking for an excuse to relive the magic, you can get it for just $4.49 rather than the usual $14.99 during that time.
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Release Date: 3 March, 2014
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
The Stick of Truth perfectly captures the irreverent humor of South Park at its peak, and it does so without overstaying its welcome.
South Park is all about crossing lines, but the writers and developers knew to keep this one short and sweet. The result is a fast-paced sendup of fantasy tropes with countless Easter eggs and references for longtime fans.
If you still want more after finishing The Stick of Truth, the sequel The Fractured But Whole lampoons Marvel and the superhero genre in general. You can get both of them together on Steam as a bundle, which is 40% off until 27 July.
The Banner Saga
- Developer: Stoic
- Release Date: 14 January, 2014
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
The Banner Saga‘s hand-animated Viking epic became an instant classic for its stellar presentation and dangerous tactical combat, but Stoic didn’t stop there. This game became just the first part of a grand trilogy, where decisions, mistakes, and triumphs can all have long-lasting consequences.
You can play through the first Banner Saga game in about 10-15 hours, but it’s the kind of game you’ll want to play again and again, to say nothing of the second and third games. Honestly, if you’re going to start playing, just go ahead and pick up the entire trilogy in one go – you’ll save money, and you’re all but certain to want to see the tale through to its conclusion.
LISA: The Painful
- Developer: Dingaling Productions
- Release Date: 15 December, 2014
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android
- Steam Page
Games love to offer players moral choices, and Lisa: The Painful delights in seeing just how quickly you’ll abandon trying to be the good guy.
This is an RPG where selfishness is key to survival, as doing the right thing almost always results in some kind of punishment. If you’re into dark humor (and we mean dark), Lisa: The Painful offers a quick, searing experience.
We recommend picking up the Joyful DLC as well, but if you don’t mind missing out on the artbook and soundtrack, you can save $5 by getting the base game and DLC separately, rather than the Complete Edition bundle. If you do want the extras, though, the Complete Edition is the best deal for Lisa.
Super Mario RPG
- Developer: Nintendo, Square
- Release Date: 13 May, 1996
- Platform: Switch
- Nintendo Shop Page
This game definitely felt longer back in the day, but like most RPGs of the SNES era it caps out at about 15 hours – maybe 20 if you decide to go for 100% completion. Honestly, that short play time is a relief, as it means you can relive the original (and still best) RPG featuring Nintendo’s iconic plumber without having to dedicate entire months of your life.
Whether you’re a Mario fan, a JRPG fan, or both, Legend of the Seven Stars is a must-play, especially now that it has a next-generation remake that is faithful to the original while giving it the makeover it deserves. Maybe this time you’ll actually hit a 100-combo Super Jump and get the Super Suit…
Cosmic Star Heroine
- Developer: Zeboyd Digital Entertainment
- Release Date: 11 April, 2017
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Zeboyd is probably best known for Cthulhu Saves The World, but their sci-fi RPG inspired by old-school anime and 16-bit classics deserves much more recognition. As rogue agent Alyssa L’Salle, you’ll unravel a galaxy-spanning conspiracy and explore multiple planets, with only your wits and your team.
Cosmic Star Heroine‘s combat is deeply reminiscent of Chrono Trigger, including character combos. This ends up just being the icing on the cake for a fast-paced RPG thriller.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: 28 July, 2021
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
The original Final Fantasy is another game that seemed a lot longer back in the day, but that’s probably because of how challenging it was.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the Pixel Remaster is child’s play, but the quality-of-life improvements go a long way towards keeping you in the fight after getting nuked by Warmech.
Unless you’re dedicated to playing on original hardware, Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is the best way to experience the original tale of the Warriors of Light. Garland, the Fiends, and the rest of the cast have gotten a fantastic glow-up that sticks close to the spirit of their 8-bit incarnations, and there are few soundtracks in all of gaming like Uematsu’s original masterpieces.
SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech
- Developer: Image & Form Games
- Release Date: 31 May, 2019
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, iOS
- Steam Page
You can always expect to have a good time with a SteamWorld game, and Hand of Gilgamech is a special treat. It takes a break from the series’ usual fare to imagine a robotic world of knights, magic, and dragons, creating an engrossing story with a lovable cast.
Quest‘s card-based battles offer lots of loadout and customization options for each unique party member, so there’s plenty of reason to play through this adventure a few times over. If you hurry, you can get SteamWorld Quest on Steam for just $4.99 until 6 August, saving 80% off its regular price of $24.99!
Virgo Versus the Zodiac
- Developer: Moonana
- Release Date: 12 December, 2019
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
If you liked the high-concept story and tough timed actions of Clair Obscur, consider this pixelated, indie tale of a battle among the stars. As Virgo, you’ll face off against the other Zodiac signs in a single-minded quest to restore a lost Golden Age. There are multiple endings, so there’s plenty of reason to see this journey through several times!
You can try the free demo of Virgo Versus the Zodiac on Steam, and if you like it, you can get it bundled together with another offbeat Moonana RPG, Osteoblasts.
Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition
- Developer: Stegosoft Games
- Release Date: 2 June, 2016
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Ara Fell offers the story, worldbuilding, and combat of a JRPG with the open-world exploration of western RPGs.
It’s that special kind of old-school that really feels like it’s from the era that inspired it, but also stands on its own as a modern title. With crafting, multiple difficulty modes, and more, the Enhanced Edition is the best way to play this tale of a floating continent doomed to come crashing to Earth.
Ara Fell has a free demo available on Steam, and it’s also offered bundled with other RPGs. It’s only $14.99 even when it isn’t on sale, so those bundles can offer some decent savings if you’re interested in the other games too!
Ikenfell
- Developer: Happy Ray Games
- Release Date: 8 October, 2020
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
This wonderful take on the magic school subgenre offers a large pixelated campus to explore, dozens of spells to learn, and hundreds of enemies to battle. It might be short, but Ikenfell is positively brimming with heart, from its strategic, timing-based battles to its heartwarming story.
If you’re a fan of Steven Universe, you might also notice some artistic similarities in the soundtrack. That’s because Ikenfell has the same composers as the legendary animated series, another reason to check it out!
Fuga: Melodies of Steel
- Developer: CyberConnect2
- Release Date: 28 July, 2021
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
The Fuga trilogy is definitely a step off the beaten path for RPGs, in a way that makes it instantly memorable.
As children caught in the flames of war, your party takes command of Taranis, a massive tank; placing each teammate at different stations will cause Taranis to perform differently, and how your crew develops and gets along will have an impact on the story’s outcome!
Like The Banner Saga, the Fuga games are individually pretty short but come together to form a greater experience. If you’re planning to go all the way through, consider picking up the double pack of the first two games to save a little bit straight away.
