The Game I Couldn't Finish
I bought a massive RPG last year. 80+ hours of content. Deep story. Complex systems. Gorgeous world. Everyone I knew said it was a masterpiece.
I was excited. I cleared my schedule. I made sure I had a few free evenings.
I played it for about 12 hours. Then I stopped.
Not because the game was bad. It wasn't. It was excellent. The combat was satisfying. The characters were memorable. The world was breathtaking.
But I couldn't keep going.
Every session felt like I was barely moving the needle. I'd play for two hours and the story had advanced maybe ten minutes. I'd log off and come back three days later, and I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I'd forgotten the controls. I'd forgotten the quest objectives. I'd forgotten the names of the characters.
I realized something that took me a while to admit: I didn't have the patience for long games anymore.
And that was okay.
What Changed
In my twenties, I loved long games. I wanted to sink into a world for weeks. I wanted depth and complexity. I wanted to feel like I was living in another reality. I played Final Fantasy VII for over 100 hours. I played Metal Gear Solid 2 multiple times to understand the story. I played Diablo II until my eyes hurt.
Those were the games I loved. And I still love them. In theory.
But now I'm 38. I have a job that demands my attention for eight hours a day. I have two kids who need me. I have a house that requires maintenance. I have a wife who deserves attention. I have friends I want to see. I have hobbies that aren't gaming.
My life is full. And my energy is limited.
Long games feel like a commitment I can't make. They feel like a second job. They feel like something I need to schedule rather than something I want to do.
Shorter games feel like a gift. They fit into my life. They don't demand more than I can give. They respect my limited time.
Why Short Games Work Better
Let me be specific about why shorter games are a better fit for me now.
They respect my schedule.
A 6-10 hour game fits into my life. I can finish it in a week or two. I can play in short bursts and still make meaningful progress. I don't need to remember what I was doing weeks ago. I don't need to re-learn the controls every time I pick it up.
They respect my energy.
Long games demand more cognitive load. Multiple systems to manage. Complex plots to follow. Dozens of characters to remember. After a full day of work, my brain doesn't have the capacity for that.
Shorter games are focused and manageable. They don't require me to be a different person. They let me be tired and still enjoy myself.
They let me experience more variety.
I can play five short games in the time it takes to play one long game. That means more stories, more worlds, more experiences. I'm not sacrificing depth for variety. I'm getting both.
They don't overstay their welcome.
Some games are great for 10 hours and mediocre for 40. They stretch thin. The content starts to repeat. The magic fades. Short games stop before they get stale. They leave you wanting more, not wishing it was over.
They're easier to recommend.
When someone asks me what to play, I can confidently recommend a short game. "It's only six hours. You'll love it." That's easier than saying, "It's amazing, but you need to commit 60 hours."
The Games I Play Instead
So what do I actually play now?
Journey. 2 hours. Beautiful. Unforgettable. I've played it three times.
Firewatch. 4 hours. Great story. No filler. Perfect evening play.
A Short Hike. 2 hours. Charming. Relaxing. Feels like a warm hug.
Hades. My runs are 30-60 minutes. Perfect for a quick session.
Celeste. 8 hours for the main story. Tight platforming. Emotional story. No padding.
What Remains of Edith Finch. 3 hours. Haunting. Beautiful. Stays with you.
Dorfromantik. Endless, but each session is short. No pressure. Just building.
Roguelikes like Slay the Spire or Into the Breach. Short runs. Pick up and put down. Satisfying progress.
These games give me what I need: a complete experience in a reasonable time. They respect my schedule, my energy, and my attention.
What I've Given Up
I've also given up on some types of games.
Massive open worlds. I used to love them. Now I'm exhausted just thinking about them. The travel time. The filler content. The endless side quests. The pressure to explore everything.
Complex RPGs. I still love the idea of them. But the inventory management, the skill trees, the crafting systems, the faction reputations—these used to feel like depth. Now they feel like work.
Competitive multiplayer. I can't keep up anymore. The reflexes aren't there. The time to practice isn't there. And honestly, I don't want to deal with the toxicity.
Games that don't respect my time. Long tutorials. Unskippable cutscenes. Limited save systems. Excessive travel. Grind. Padding. Filler. I'm done with all of it.
The Pushback
Some people tell me I'm missing out. That I'm not experiencing the "real" games. That I'm not a "true" gamer.
I used to believe that. I used to feel guilty about not finishing long games. I used to force myself to keep playing things I wasn't enjoying.
Then I stopped caring.
I'm not missing out. I'm choosing. I'm choosing what works for me. I'm choosing what fits my life. I'm choosing what makes me happy.
The "real" games are the ones I actually play. The "true" gamer is the one who enjoys their hobby. That's me.
The Bottom Line
I don't play long games anymore. Not because they're bad. Because they don't fit.
And that's okay.
My taste has changed. My life has changed. My gaming has changed.
I play shorter games now. And I'm happier for it.
I don't feel guilty about it anymore. I don't feel like I'm missing out. I don't feel like I'm a "lesser" gamer.
I feel like someone who knows what they want. And what I want is games that fit my life.
If you're in the same boat, know that you're not alone. There's nothing wrong with preferring shorter experiences. There's nothing wrong with quitting a game after 10 hours.
The only wrong thing is forcing yourself to play something you're not enjoying.
Play what fits. Play what you love. Play what makes you happy.
Worth your time, or not?
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