The best short RPGs condense epic-feeling adventures into manageable experiences that you can play through in a weekend, but will stick with you for a lifetime.
Whether you actually bash through them in such a short timeframe is up to you, but I’ve kept my recommendations of the snappiest RPGs to games that should take no more than 20 hours for their main stories, and in many cases, much less. It’s been tough, as I’ve deliberately eschewed many of the best RPGs with blockbuster budgets that came close to that limit, but would feel like I was just making excuses to include. I really want to recommend short RPGs you can count on, so I’ve ironically spent a lot of time trying to put together a compelling list you can be confident in.
So, scroll down to begin reading through my picks for the best short RPGs that you can finish in a weekend or, at least, in less than 20 hours(ish), with the kind of vibes you can expect from each (you can learn more about that in our FAQ section). I’m sure there are many other great suggestions – I had to cut out some real heart picks (such as OFF, Koudelka, and some others) – but please let me know if you have suggestions of your own in the comments!
The best short RPGs, starting with…
10. Costume Quest 2
Release date: October 7, 2014
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Vibe: Quick Play
Length: 7-8 hours
Double Fine are excellent purveyors at packing charming ideas into delightfully snappy packages regardless of genre. Costume Quest 2 and its predecessor are excellent encapsulations of this in RPG form. Centering around siblings on a trick-or-treat quest to save Halloween from the clutches of Dr. Orel White, the set-up is super easy to slip into, and it’s a joy to smash through this adventure without it overstaying its welcome.
Cribbing from the classics with excellent style, your party of candy-craving kids use their costumes to access different abilities, which wonderfully plays into the sense that Costume Quest 2 is powered by a child’s imagination. A robot costume, for instance, will transform you into a giant mech in battle. They can also be used to help explore each neighborhood. There’s plenty of side-activities to keep you entertained as you plug away at this story, but even a completionist playthrough is breezy to get through. Short and sweet, you’ll want to brush your teeth when you’re done with saving your favorite holiday.
9. Atelier Marie Remake
Release date: July 13, 2023
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Switch
Vibe: Chill Out
Length: 9-15 hours
As a long-time series stan, I often find myself answering where to start with Atelier, given it’s such a big series. Atelier Marie Remake is often one of my top picks, not just because this is a gorgeous dollhouse-style remake of the very first game in the series, but because its short structure and simple alchemy crafting system just make it incredibly easy to get to grips with. Though I can’t promise you’ll be able to put it down once you’ve hit credits for the first time.
Playing as the titular Marie, you’re given one last chance to graduate magic school by passing your alchemy exams, improving your skills at your atelier workshop in the village to do so. With a calendar system, you need to try to clear certain milestones, all while juggling fulfilling crafting requests using your big cauldron. As time is always passing with each action, there’s only so much time Atelier Marie Remake can take, though if you find yourself wanting to see every ending, you’ll be in for a few playthroughs. It’s easy for this journey to get its hooks in you.
8. West of Loathing
Release date: July 13, 2017
Platform(s): PC, Switch
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
Length: 8-13 hours
The hastily drawn stick figures that populate each laugh-out-loud scene aren’t cheap, but a vital part of West of Loathing’s incredible amount of charm. Like one of the funniest webcomics, but that you can play, this is set in the same universe as the browser-based MMO sensation Kingdom of Loathing. That same sense of humor is distilled down here in a single-player RPG set in the wild west-themed outskirts of the kingdom.
The simple visuals and black and white style just ensure that this short RPG adventure is nevertheless filled to the brim with every opportunity to poke around, almost always leading to something giggle-worthy. Endlessly creative, unique classes like the Snake Oiler, who can smooth-talk through situations, or the cosmic Beanslinger, mean that different playstyles can lead to different experiences. And there’s plenty of rootin’, tootin’ hats to collect, too.
7. Arco
Release date: August 15, 2024
Platform(s): PC, Switch
Vibe: Story-driven
Length: 12-15 hours
What is it about the wild west and snappy RPG runtimes? Arco is a truly exceptional “Mesoamerican fantasy RPG”, with a gorgeous pixel art style, and tremendously snappy tactical combat. Centered around three RPG short stories, Arco doesn’t waste any time at investing you in its universe, while the different perspectives make it feel hugely fleshed out despite its relatively short length. In our Arco spotlight, we called it “a lush, clever RPG that punches well above its weight”.
The fantastically crafted story is reason enough to get invested in Arco, but its combat is just as good. Essentially, real-time tactical combat with pause, you can move characters around to issue commands even in the heat of gunslinging chaos, meaning action plays out like highly choreographed, cinematic clashes despite being top-down. Depending on your party members, fights can have their own flavor as well. Arco is short, but you’ll end up wishing it could go on forever.
6. Shadowrun Returns
Release date: July 25, 2013
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Length: 12-15 hours
Based on the Shadowrun tabletop role-playing game that merges cyberpunk and fantasy concepts to create a really compelling world, this video game revival remains one of the best CRPGs that we keep coming back to. Who can say no to playing as a street samurai orc?
Kicking off a whole trilogy of fantastic RPGs, followed-up by Shadowrun Dragonfall and Shadowrun Hong Kong, Shadow Returns is the shortest of the bunch – but that only makes it an even better introduction to both the universe and CRPGs in general. Played in an isometric perspective, this wastes no time as you’re spurred to fulfil a shadowrunner contract to track down a mysterious killer – which naturally unravels into a broader megacrop-fueled conspiracy. Time to jack in.
5. Super Mario RPG
Release date: November 17, 2023
Platform(s): Switch
Vibe: Story-driven
Length: 12-15 hours
Super Mario RPG is a gorgeous remake of the SNES classic. Given this is a Nintendo spin-off and aimed at younger players, this is a short RPG adventure, but one that’ll stick with you for a long time. Retaining the squat and cute visual style of the original game, this has Mario traversing through a strange and fantastical world that evokes vibes not quite found in any other Mario outing, like befriending the iconic talking puppet Geno.
Snappy to play in a way that suits Super Mario RPG’s relatively short runtime, this iteration only makes it breezier to get through, leading us to call it “an incredible remake” in our Super Mario RPG review. Not only does it come with an easier difficulty mode, but new special attacks can dish out more damage, and the ability to switch party members mid-battle allows for more flexibility. While Mario has starred in plenty of excellent RPGs, the return of this ’90s classic is a welcome one, proving it has a unique flavor that helps it stand out from the rest.
4. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Release date: January 31, 2025
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-driven
Length: 10-15 hours
Uniquely dice-driven, Citizen Sleeper 2 feels like a tabletop game made digital. Playing as a synthetic Sleeper injected with a copy of a human consciousness, you’ve broken free of servitude and gone rogue to team up with some similarly rebellious souls, with the ultimate aim to escape pursuit and win freedom for a small slice of a corporatally controlled galaxy. In our Citizen Sleeper 2 review, we called it “a smart sequel that takes everything that worked from the stellar original and expands”.
Able to traverse space in your ship, each area has you befriending new potential crew members, slotting in the dice you roll each day to accomplish tasks to load up on resources, complete salvage missions, and other (ahem) dicier missions. With dice able to break, and some demanding skill checks, each step on this journey feels like the adventure is escalating, with terrific writing keeping me invested from start to finish. You know this is one I couldn’t put down, finishing it in a weekend myself – but it’s stayed in my memory for a long time.
3. Yakuza Kiwami
Release date: January 21, 2016
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Vibe: Story-Driven
Length: 18-20 hours
Yakuza Kiwami is the cheekiest entry in this list, as I’m definitely guilty of wasting many hours clearing substories or simply performing karaoke. But, I’m including it because the core crime story that centers on former-yakuza-with-a-heart-of-gold Kazuma Kiryu picking apart a conspiracy right after he’s released from prison into an unfamiliar modern world is surprisingly snappy.
This excellent remake of the very first game remains the series’ tightest adventure. With a rigid chapter structure, it’s incredibly easy to bash through this caper while being very aware of the narrative’s guard rails (just make sure you stock up on healing items, I am begging you). However, you’ll very likely be tempted to go off those rails. The deeply emotional and dramatic main story is supplemented by some truly ridiculous and laugh-out-loud side quests. But, that’s on you. Go with my blessing.
2. Fable 2
Release date: October 21, 2008
Platform(s): Xbox Series X (via backwards compatibility)
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
Length: 14-16 hours
Fable 2, for my money, is simply the best in this Xbox exclusive series of uniquely British-flavored RPG adventuring – though all three are surprisingly quick little adventures. It remains to be seen if the upcoming fourth Fable, softly rebooted to ditch the numbering, will be similarly short, but I’m hoping it will be. To me, Fable 2’s breezy questing is what helps it stand out, the temptation to clear its entire world just a bonus on top that’s kept me coming back to this Xbox 360 classic.
Playing as your own protagonist, and set across a span of many years, your ultimate quest to restore and track down a shattered guild of heroes is a compelling one. Each tight area is filled with reasons to explore, while also making it feel like you’re let off the leash to poke around as you please. It’s a great combination that keeps Fable 2 snappy while also feeling like an epic adventure you can take at your own pace, which makes it a standout entry in this list filled with great games.
1. Undertale
Release date: September 15, 2015
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Vibe: Story-driven
Length: 8-12 hours
Many indie RPGs offer strong, short adventures, but Undertale sticks out for good reason. The breeziness of each area you explore in a strange monster-filled underground is almost the point, though you may find yourself wanting to play it through more than once. Even killing enemies in battle isn’t mandatory, with the bullet hell-inspired combat supplemented by ways to talk down and otherwise befriend each foe you encounter.
The result is an RPG that’s almost as much an adventure game as it is an epic quest, the strange world of monsters teeming with potential life (as long as you don’t slay them all, that is). You never know what strange new situations you’ll encounter, and I don’t want to spoil the many marvelous twists and turns the journey to achieving the true end will take. But, rest assured, there’s a good reason this short runtime adventure has retained a rabid fanbase for over a decade. Love this, and developer Toby Fox’s ongoing, episodic Deltarune – sort of set in the same universe – is another snappy delight you can dive into.
Best short RPGs FAQs
How do we decide on a ranking for the best short RPGs?
I’ve played a lot of RPGs in my time, and these are the picks I’d personally recommend tucking into if you’re after an experience you can wrap up in 20 hours or less. Many of the games included in this selection are also ones you can comfortably pick up and play over a weekend, but of course, you can also take your time with any one of these RPGs and take them at your own pace.
Our RPGs “vibes” explained
Our RPG vibes are short descriptors that give you an idea of the kind of experience you can expect from the RPG picks we’ve included in our rankings. For a full breakdown of what each vibe captures, read on below:
- Story-driven: RPGs where the story propels your journey forward, with unforgettable companions and impactful choices and consequences.
- Better with Friends: RPGs that can be played solo but thrive with others. These offer the possibility for shared experiences, be that online or locally.
- Quick Play: RPGs that aren’t hard to pick up and play whenever you have the spare time. The perfect choice for busy folks after quick gaming sessions.
- Chill Out: RPGs that let you take things at your own pace, explore, and venture on side-quests if you choose. For those looking for a less demanding and more stress-free time.
- Expect the Unexpected: RPGs where you can get silly and find yourself in novel and very unusual situations. Things can go wrong quickly, but also in very funny directions.
Why do we update our best short RPGs ranking?
In order to ensure our ranking reflects the very best short RPGs currently available, we’ll often update our lists to take any new games into consideration that fit the profile of our best lists. Should a fresh arrival deserve a spot over an existing entry, we’ll change up our ranking. We may also update a best list if there’s a future release in sight that we’re excited about and want to highlight as a potential game that could shake up the ranking down the line.
How often do we update our best short RPG ranking?
We tend to update our rankings on a monthly basis to take stock of any new games that have been released since the list was originally published. This is make sure we’re bring the best games around for any given list. We may also update a ranking ahead of a major release we think shows the potential to change our ranking. Other times, the ranking may stay the same if we think all of the entries are solid picks.
Discover more recommendations with our pick of the best story-driven RPGs.
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