5 short but sweet gaming adventures

While many may argue that every game should be as long as possible, length does not a good game make.

The truth is, some experiences stay beyond their welcome, so we decided to pay tribute to those short but sweet gaming experiences that keep us coming back time and time again.

Mirror’s Edge

EA’s ambitious and innovative roll-of-the dice with Mirror’s Edge paid off, despite being rather brief.

The free-running game proved that first-person platforming can be fluid, effective and incredibly fun.

The colourful yet minimalist world is gorgeous to look at, and although it left us wanting more, there’s multiple ways to finish each level, giving the game a lot of replayability. And there are always those time trial levels.

We look forward to seeing how the sequel expands on the world and gameplay of Mirror’s Edge.

Mirror’s Edge

The Order: 1886

Easily the most beautiful game on the PlayStation 4 (so far at least), The Order: 1886 is a breathtaking technical marvel from developer Ready at Dawn.

It’s short, very short, but given the impeccable level of detail, it’s understandable.

The Order not only features spectacular visuals, but it also has some fun gunplay, unique weapons and an interesting story. It’s definitely worth a playthrough if you can find a good deal.

The Order: 1886

House of the Dead: Overkill

‘Overkill’ couldn’t be a more suitable subtitle for SEGA’s Wii-exclusive House of the Dead title.

Not only is its gore and violence over-the-top, its swearing, guns, dialogue, story and just about everything else is beyond any doubt an overkill.

Designed as an on-rails shooter using the Wii’s motion controllers, it’s a surprising game for the platform, but it’s also an adrenaline, laughter and gore fueled romp featuring a ton of crazy zombies, and you can’t go wrong with that.

It’s over before you’d want the fat zombie-lady to sing, but it’s one hell of a ride while it’s going.

House of the Dead: Overkill

Vanquish

In Platinum Games’ Vanquish, you play as a super soldier on rocket-powered roller skates that moves from cover to cover at fantastic speed

If that means the chapters are shorter, so be it, as its easy to forgive a game that allows you to run at 200kph and punch robots in the face.

Vanquish takes high-intensity action to a new level for an adrenaline-fueled romp that comes in at about 7 hours, and you’ll need to take a breath once you’re done.

Vanquish

Portal

Portal was created as somewhat of a side-game to Half-Life 2: Episode 1, as the game came bundled in the beloved Orange Box, but Valve had no idea the cult status that the game would reach.

Portal tasks players to navigate through a series of rooms using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, or portal gun, to overcome obstacles and difficult puzzles.

It’s ingenuous, challenging, charming and simple, and even though you’ll wrap it up in a few hours (depending on your problem solving skills), there’s always Portal 2 to take on next.

And don’t forget that Steam’s modding community have created a huge assortment of additional levels and challenges to take on.