They are becoming increasingly rare, but short open-world games are often a blessing, and the best ones don't fail to pack a punch when it comes to detailed, thoughtful world-building, exciting side-quests, and, of course, short main stories that bring everything together. Perhaps the best part of these shorter stories is that they leave the player craving more, maintaining momentum until the very end, encouraging further gameplay beyond the main narrative.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
8 Just Cause 2
A Massive Sandbox Open-World Game With A Frantic And Short Story
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Eidos Interactive, Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Third-Person Shooter, Action
- Main Story Length: 12–18 hours
Frankly, all the Just Cause games fit into this discussion, as their main stories can typically be completed in under 20 hours. Heck, the first game is a brisk 10-hour affair, although it is by far the weakest entry in the series and cannot be described as "great." We went with Just Cause 2 as it put the franchise on the map, and its campaign is surprisingly short considering the size of its map.
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While players are given the freedom to venture off the beaten path and mess about in the sandbox, extending their playtime considerably, the compulsory missions are few and quick. Honestly, if you really speedrun the campaign, you could probably get it done in about 10 to 12 hours. I would personally recommend that, as Just Cause 2 is at its best when you are just blowing things up and ignoring the actual missions, but it can be done.
7 The Outer Worlds
Space Exploration Driven By Player Choices
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Main Story Length: 10–15 hours
In The Outer Worlds, players must grapple with a conspiracy that threatens to wipe out a space colony. Fans of the game praise it for its well-written, witty dialogue, its choice-based gameplay, and the engaging central story. The Outer Worlds also plays with the idea of flaws, tracking gameplay to tailor the experience to player skills and foibles, making it perfectly personalizable.
Despite the shortness of the primary story, the variety of possible endings makes this a great game for replay. With each different choice comes a different consequence, keeping the story fresh and exciting for players. The sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, improves on nearly every element of its predecessor, and that includes a meatier main story that should keep players busy for around 20 hours.
6 Rage 2
Chaotic Combat In A Post-Apocalyptic World
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios, id Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- Main Story Length: 8–12 hours
Rage 2 is a dystopian first-person shooter with exciting combat mechanics, focusing on a ranger fighting for justice in the wasteland. Fans of the game describe the gameplay experience as satisfying and exhilarating, with a plethora of ready-to-use vehicles and collectible weapons enhancing the far-from-ordinary open world.
The open world is a perfect backdrop to the gameplay, even though it is a bit too barren for its own good at times. Still, it is colorful, varies in terrain types, and is littered with fascinating abandoned structures. Rage 2 is perfect for quick, explosive fun without a complex, long-winded narrative.
5 Journey To The Savage Planet
An Offbeat Space Exploration Story In A Semi-Open World
- Developer(s)
- Typhoon Studios
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Main Story Length: 6–10 hours
This unusual story follows a corporate explorer journeying to a mysterious planet, ARY-26, with the aim of human colonization. The semi-open world is designed for deep exploration, with psychedelic backdrops and unusual creatures throughout. The writing in Journey To The Savage Planet is also a particular standout, with plenty of silly happenings punctuating the central narrative.
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While this game's main story is particularly short, players are welcome to explore the world as much as they like, with a vast survey to complete and the option to craft from scavenged items. Short but sweet, there's lots of enjoyment to be had on ARY-26.
Revenge of the Savage Planet is also quite short, although it is a bit longer than the first game.
4 The Pathless
A Mystical Action-Adventure Tale
- Developer(s)
- Giant Squid
- Publisher(s)
- Annapurna Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Main Story Length: 6–10 hours
This game follows a hunter and her companion, an eagle, as they attempt to lift a curse from the world. Players love the vivid open-world setting, which holds several gorgeous environments within, including mountains, forests, meadows, and snowy landscapes. The Pathless also offers two rather unusual skills to hone during gameplay: archery and falconry. With dynamic systems for flight and shooting, there are some unique perspectives to be gained while exploring this world.
While The Pathless is a relatively short story, fans of the game love it for its exploration, following the plot at a gentler speed so they can savor the emotional bond forged between the player and the eagle, and take the time to enjoy the landscapes.
3 Ultimate Spider-Man
Spidey's Shortest Open-World Adventure
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PC, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Main Story Length: 4–8 hours
Peter Parker has starred in his fair share of open-world projects, and they are nearly all relatively short. Insomniac's trilogy brings New York to life in impressive detail and scale, but they all end quickly, lasting less than 20 hours if you focus primarily on the main missions. Web of Shadows, Spider-Man 2 & 3, and The Amazing Spider-Man duology are even shorter, to the point of feeling like the open-worlds exist as set dressing for an otherwise linear 8–10 hour adventure.
I'm not even criticizing these games. I love a quick superhero romp, and Spider-Man constantly delivers.
However, Ultimate Spider-Man is so short that it makes the hero's other games seem epic in comparison. Even by 2005 standards, when open-worlds were not really known for lasting 30+ hours, Ultimate Spider-Man was shockingly brief, as players can easily complete the main story in about 5 hours. Considering it comes with two playable characters who have different play styles and features a relatively big map for its era, Ultimate Spider-Man starts and ends before it even really gets going, an outcome likely influenced by Treyarch needing to maintain an almost yearly schedule. The game doesn't even have any meaty side content to keep players busy.
Still, Ultimate Spider-Man is a fun time while it lasts, particularly the sections involving Venom. If somebody is a die-hard fan of Peter's Ultimate era, this game is really the only option, and it is a decent attempt.
2 Firewatch
An Exploration-Focused Wilderness Story
- Main Story Length: 4–6 hours
In the Wyoming Wilderness of the 1980s, a fire lookout explores mysterious happenings in the forest he works in. The vast open-world map that ties this game together allows for plenty of exploration, with a story that can be taken at the player's own pace.
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While the central narrative of this game is very short, it leaves a lasting impression. With its introspective, emotional outlook and stunning graphics, exploring the wilderness and trying to understand the strange goings-on is thoughtful, immersive, and a little bit spooky.
1 Infamous: Second Son
A Superhero Romp That Moves At A Blistering Pace
- Main Story Length: 9–12 hours
In a bold move, Sucker Punch's Infamous games progressively became shorter and shorter, going from roughly 15 hours to 13 and eventually 10. Putting aside the spin-offs and side games, Infamous: Second Son is simultaneously the biggest and shortest mainline entry, featuring a map that is slightly larger than its predecessors while telling a story that can be completed over a long weekend. It is not like Sucker Punch put together a rushed project either; Second Son is a proper AAA production that feels like it should last 20+ hours, but it never comes close to that.
The game has a fully realized version of Seattle, multiple power sets, a proper open-world structure with a sandbox layout, and quite a bit of side activity, along with a karma system and multiple endings to encourage repeat playthroughs. It has all the makings of a massive PS4-era open-world, just without the actual bloat. It just maintains a consistent pace throughout the campaign and does not attempt to overstay its welcome.
Again, I'm not complaining.
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