There are many great games available that take time and patience to appreciate, with complex systems and/or a slow-burning pace that can't always be enjoyed immediately. Many of these titles can sometimes take hours before they reveal themselves entirely, and for some players, this isn't feasible.
Great Indie Games That Are Immediately Fun
There's no slow warm-up period for these indie games. Right out of the gates, players are guaranteed to have a good time.
However, there remains a great number of titles that excel more immediately. These games feature smooth learning curves, satisfying gameplay, and a unique style that immediately tells the player what they're all about. As a result, most players are sure to know whether these games are for them within two hours of play.
8 Neon White
A Simple But Addictive Loop
Neon White
- Released
- June 16, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Angel Matrix
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
In Neon White, players barrel through a variety of short and snappy levels as fast as they possibly can, making use of weapons to take out demons and utilizing special movement abilities. The focus on speed is perhaps Neon White's greatest strength, though it could be argued that it gives the game an acquired taste.
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Thankfully, Neon White wears its heart on its sleeve. Not only will players get an immediate feel for its speed-running gameplay, but those who want to cut straight to the gameplay can easily skip through its narrative with little to no consequence. After just two hours, most players will likely know if they want to continue.
7 Post Void
A Fast-Paced & Psychedelic FPS
Post Void
- Released
- August 6, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
It's unlikely to take two minutes for players to determine if Post Void is for them, let alone two hours. This frantic first-person shooter immediately stands out with its bold and vivid art style, frenetic soundtrack, and snappy gunplay. Its psychedelic style may be an acquired taste, but its breakneck pace ensures players can quickly decide if it's for them.
In the game, players barrel and slide through labyrinthine levels, blasting through enemies at a non-stop pace. Driving the experience forward is a constantly draining health system that forces players to stay on the move. This facilitates a crazed loop of split-second decisions and lightning-fast reactions, championing sheer instinct and adrenaline above all else.
6 Dredge
An Instantly Intuitive Fishing Game
Dredge
- Released
- March 31, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Black Salt Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Dredge is a calm open-world fishing game that excels with its intuitive but repetitive mini-games and tranquil exploration. In the game, players explore an archipelago haunted by myriad eldritch horrors, taking in the atmosphere as they fish for profit throughout day and night.
While its gameplay can be repetitive, there's a certain tranquility in sailing its waters. Furthermore, the game features an enigmatic atmosphere that meanders between spooky and relaxed. Combined with an immediately immersive ambiance and a quick, snappy tutorial, players will quickly know if Dredge is for them.
5 Cobalt Core
A Deck-Builder With An Intuitive Twist
Cobalt Core
- Released
- November 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Rocket Rat Games
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Digital Card Game
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
Cobalt Core is a roguelike deck builder with charming pixel-art visuals and a soothing soundtrack that offers an immediate sense of style. Thankfully, however, Cobalt Core also features intuitive, engaging, and thematic gameplay that gets straight to the point.
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While a competent deck builder in its own right, Cobalt Core also features a tactical twist that makes its spaceship battles all the more thematic. In the game, players battle enemy ships via a variety of cards, but are also able to maneuver their own ship on a single axis. This provides gameplay that's both deep and easy to learn, and players will soon discover if they enjoy its clever twists on the genre.
4 Fallen Aces
An FPS With Immediate Style
Fallen Aces
- Released
- June 14, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallen Aces is an innovative blend of immersive-sims and first-person brawlers, offering an action-heavy experience that allows for plenty of player expression. Supporting the finely-tuned gameplay is a well-crafted pulp comic-book art style and painstakingly detailed free-form level designs.
Its stylish visuals certainly help, but Fallen Aces is also an immediately fun experience. Thanks primarily to intuitive controls and an immersive introduction, players are sure to know if Fallen Aces is for them after just one level.
3 Tactical Breach Wizards
A Cinematic & Effective Introduction
Tactical Breach Wizards
- Released
- August 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Tactical Breach Wizards is an intuitive turn-based tactics game with a unique urban-fantasy setting. The game excels with its stylized visuals, witty writing, and - most importantly - its unique squad-based tactics.
In Tactical Breach Wizards, players battle enemies in turn-based combat using a variety of expressive character abilities. Each level is more of a puzzle than a combat encounter, giving the game a somewhat acquired taste. However, players are sure to know if it's for them within two hours thanks to a quick introductory level/tutorial and a design that quickly expands on its ideas.
2 ANIMAL WELL
An Immediately Unique Experience
Animal Well
- Released
- May 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Shared Memory
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Animal Well is an atmospheric 2D Metroidvania that excels with its immersive ambiance and truly exotic world. Best of all, Animal Well wastes no time in teaching the player its intuitive mechanics, operating at a fast pace without ever feeling rushed.
With its stylish visuals, ambient soundtrack, and simple controls, players will soon discover if Animal Well is for them. There's plenty to discover in its interconnected world, but players will likely know whether they want to explore it further by the two-hour mark.
1 Hi-Fi RUSH
A Unique & Charming Action Game
Hi-Fi Rush
- Released
- January 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Tango Gameworks
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PS5
Hi-Fi Rush explodes with vibrant color and youthful charm right out of the gate, thrusting players into a buoyant narrative wrapped in unique rhythm-based action. Best of all, the stylish visuals, driving soundtrack, and finely-tuned gameplay are all on display from the very start.
With a short and sharp tutorial, it's not long before players are battling through enemies to the beat of the game's many tracks. The story, simple but deftly woven, is also quick to pick up, with a cast of lovable characters that pave the way for an exciting and feel-good adventure.
Best Tactical Games That Are Immediately Fun
These excellent tactical video games forgoes the slow onboarding typical in the genre, providing fun and engaging mechanics right away.