5 short Xbox games you need to play

Equally the gaming industry has seen a shift towards longer experiences, such every bit a focus on replayable multiplayer and open-world designs, games with shorter lengths have been removed from the spotlight. That doesn't mean they're gone, though, and there's plenty of them worth playing if you want a break from the norm. Hither are v of them that blew our socks off.

Firewatch

Firewatch is a choice-based narrative adventure game set in the woods of the Wyoming wilderness in 1989. Yous play as Henry, a new burn down lookout worker charged with the task of keeping the forests prophylactic during a hot and dry out summer.

Somewhen, strange events depict you out from your sentinel position, and you're thrust into the dangers of Female parent Nature. Your just connection dorsum to the world you came from is Delilah, a woman whom you lot can contact over the radio. Every bit you explore the wild, the dialogue you choose to say to Delilah will stop upward determining the fate of your human relationship with her. Despite only being a few hours, Firewatch'south story will be one that sticks with you lot forever.

Firewatch is available for $nineteen.99.

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SUPERHOT

A common criticism of the shooter genre is that every game feels the same. If that's a view you lot share, so SUPERHOT is your dream title.

In SUPERHOT, time only progresses when you lot move. This unique idea turns your usual shooting gallery experience into an interactive skill-based puzzle in which you accept to think about traditional shooter mechanics (such as predicting movement and leading your shots) in brand new ways.

In add-on to guns, there are also other sandbox elements. You can striking people with physical attacks, either with the butt of your firearm or with melee weapons. If using the latter, you lot can fifty-fifty throw them at enemies from a distance if you lot have no gun available. The game is only an hr or two long, but the levels are heavily replayable and there'south more than one mode to complete them.

SUPERHOT is available for $24.99.

Come across on Microsoft Store

INSIDE

Inside is a 2D puzzle platformer game in which you take control of a young boy being hunted by a mysterious group. Your objective is to discover a manner to survive, but every bit you progress through the areas, you soon find yourself directly in the midst of a dark and disturbing project.

What makes INSIDE then great is how atmospheric and immersive its dreary world is. The stylized visuals mesh phenomenally with the haunting musical score in club to create a tension few games have achieved prior.

The gameplay pacing is fluid, and the puzzles themselves are challenging but non frustratingly then. Overall, the experience of iii or four hours you spend in Within is worth every penny.

Within is bachelor for $xix.99.

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Resident Evil seven biohazard

Arguably the best horror game from 2022, Resident Evil vii biohazard is a fantastic return to form for the long-running CAPCOM franchise. Blending elements from titles similar Outlast and The Evil Inside with a classic Resident Evil structure was a smashing idea, and it really paid off.

In but 8 to x hours, Resident Evil 7 is able to attain everything yous want from a scary game: an interesting plot, frightening antagonists, haunting temper, and a compelling gameplay feel.

Resident Evil 7 biohazard is available for $29.99.

Read: Resident Evil vii review

Encounter on Microsoft Store

Quantum Break

Quantum Interruption is a third-person action shooter that combines classic cover-focused gunfighting with the power to manipulate time. Every bit you lot accept control of protagonist Jack Joyce, you fight to prevent one power-hungry man (who also has these abiltiies) from causing the fabric of fourth dimension to tear itself apart.

One actually cool aspect of Quantum Break is that between sessions of gameplay, there are besides curt alive-action cinematics designed to be watched like a TV show. These compliment the story in the game and aid give greater detail to this new universe.

From start to finish, Quantum Break is about 10 to 12 hours long. It'due south on the short side for a AAA singleplayer game, just that'south OK. Every moment of the experience is an accented blast.

Breakthrough Break is available for $39.99.

See on Microsoft Shop

Your thoughts

What are your favorite short games on Xbox One? Why? Let us know in the comments.

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Dying Light 2 review: Going quietly into the night

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Dying Calorie-free 2 review: Going quietly into the night

Dying Light 2 is an admirable effort from Techland, following up the original game seven years later. High-stakes nighttime play elevates what might have otherwise been a fairly forgettable open-world zombie flick, which will likely notice itself a fond place among fans of games with co-op sandbox mayhem.