The Year I Almost Quit Gaming
I had a year where I almost quit gaming.
Not because I stopped loving games. Because I was tired of them. Tired of the big open worlds, the endless checklists, the 60-hour commitments that I'd never finish. Tired of games that felt more like work than play.
I would look at my library, feel overwhelmed, and play nothing. I would start a game, get bored after two hours, and move on to the next one.
I was burned out. And I didn't know how to fix it.
Then I discovered short indie games. Games that were focused, intentional, and respectful of my time. Games that could be finished in a weekend. Games that reminded me why I loved gaming.
These are four games I'd recommend to anyone who's burned out on blockbusters.
The Games
1. A Short Hike (2019)
Playtime: 2-3 hours
A Short Hike is exactly what it sounds like. You're a bird visiting a national park. You climb a mountain. That's the whole game.
It's short. It's simple. It's perfect.
The game is about exploration and discovery. You find new paths, talk to other characters, and uncover secrets. The movement is satisfying—you can run, glide, and fly. The world is small but dense.
What makes it special is its honesty. The game doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's a short, pleasant experience that ends exactly when it should.
If you're burned out on blockbusters, A Short Hike is the antidote. It's gentle, warm, and completely stress-free.
2. Journey (2012)
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Journey is a game about a traveler in a desert. You walk, you glide, you climb. You meet other travelers along the way.
There's no dialogue. No combat. No pressure. Just a journey.
The game is emotional and beautiful. The music is incredible. The visuals are stunning. The ending is unforgettable.
Journey is a short game that feels big. It's not about length. It's about impact. And Journey has more impact than most 60-hour games.
If you're burned out on blockbusters, Journey is a reminder that games can be art.
3. What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
Playtime: 2-3 hours
What Remains of Edith Finch is a narrative game about a cursed family. You explore their house, experience their stories, and piece together what happened.
The game is structured as a series of vignettes. Each family member gets a chapter. Each chapter is a different gameplay style. Each one is a small story with its own emotional arc.
The ending is devastating and beautiful. It's a game that stays with you.
What Remains of Edith Finch is short, but it's dense. Every moment matters. There's no filler, no padding, no wasted time.
If you're burned out on blockbusters, Edith Finch is a reminder that games can tell stories that matter.
4. Firewatch (2016)
Playtime: 4-5 hours
Firewatch is a walking simulator about a fire lookout in Wyoming. The game is about loneliness, connection, and the stories we tell ourselves.
The writing is excellent. The voice acting is superb. The atmosphere is immersive. The ending is earned.
Firewatch is a short game with a big heart. It's about relationships and the choices we make. It's a game that respects your time.
If you're burned out on blockbusters, Firewatch is a reminder that games can be quiet and still be powerful.
What These Games Have in Common
These four games are different. Different genres, different styles, different stories.
But they have something in common.
They're short. They're focused. They respect your time. They don't have filler. They don't have padding. They don't waste your time.
They also have something else in common. They're emotional. They're meaningful. They stay with you.
That's the power of short games. They concentrate the experience. They don't spread it thin over 60 hours. They give you everything in a few hours.
Why Short Games Help with Burnout
Burnout is about exhaustion. It's about feeling overwhelmed. It's about being tired of the same patterns.
Short games are the opposite of that. They're manageable. They're focused. They're different.
When you're burned out on blockbusters, you need something small. Something that doesn't demand too much. Something that gives you a complete experience in a short time.
Short games can do that. They can remind you why you love gaming.
The Bottom Line
If you're burned out on blockbusters, try short games.
A Short Hike. Journey. What Remains of Edith Finch. Firewatch.
Four games. Four different experiences. Four reminders of why gaming matters.
None of them are perfect. But they're all worth your time.
Not a masterpiece. Still worth your time.
Not everything loud is worth your time. Not everything quiet should be missed.
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