The 10 Shortest Games Ever. - page 2 - System Wars

herzalot · 2010-08-25 09:30:14

This is an article from NowGamer. BTW, feel free to name some of the short games you have played too.Before we dive head-first into this morass of short games, we have to point out why we chose the titles we did. For starters, score attack games like Space Invaders or short arcade experiences like Sega Rally and Street Fighter II don't qualify. We're also not counting multiplayer modes, only story campaigns with a definitive end-point.10. FableApprox time: 7 hours The original Fable isn't a small game by any means but if you're talking key quests, which we are here, then the core campaign is incredibly short when compared to other RPGs available at the time. Molyneux and company addressed the piddling story length in re-release Fable: The Lost Chapters. While gamers appreciated Lionhead's efforts to address the problem, the lack of acorns still left a sour taste in the mouth. Acorn DLC for Fable III Peter?9. Wanted: Weapons of FateApprox time: 4 hours As movie tie-ins go, Grin almost knocked it out of the park with Wanted. Weapons of Fate was a genuine effort to emulate the insane bullet-fu of the graphic novels and movie, unfortunately cut down to size by a rather guff campaign length. Kudos to Grin however, for keeping the action churning at a relentless pace for the duration, but this would have been a more impressive feat had the story been longer.8. Pokemon SnapApprox time: 1 hour It might be a bit unfair that we've singled Pokemon Snap out from the rest of the series canon, but while the Pokemon RPG titles were chock full of depth and things to do, Pokemon Snap is bite-sized by comparison. We can see them now, the tear-streaked faces of every child who got Pokemon Snap for Christmas, only to complete it before the turkey and stuffing was served. Heartbreaking.7. Quantum of SolaceApprox time: 4 hours Yes it's a movie license and we shouldn't expect the world from it, but Treyarch really did a number on Bond enthusiasts with Quantum of Solace. The real problem isn't that the game lasts a mere three hours, it's that Quantum of Solace actually had decent gameplay that mirrored Call of Duty, but with a scant campaign and none of the excitement the movies are known for. It's a shame that the game could have been so much more.6. Army of Two: The 40th DayApprox time: 5 hours One particular NowGamer team member can't rant enough about how much he detests Army of Two 2, claiming that he finished the entire single player campaign in just over three hours. Size aside, the motives of the generic rent-a-villain are revealed in a rapid burst of exposition right at the very end, rendering the whole thing as a confused, ambiguous mess. Maybe keeping this game short was a good thing in the end.5. Yoshi's StoryApprox time: 4 hours Another game we enjoy yet simply have to include on the list, Yoshi's Story is rammed to capacity with charm and neat design, but the story length pales in comparison to its forebear Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. While Yoshi's Story was brilliant for the duration, it was over too soon, leaving us wanting to experience more of the rich, colourful world it portrayed. Thankfully Yoshi's Island DS was massive and gave us another reason to jump back into Yoshi's world.4. Mirror's EdgeApprox time: 4 hours It's a game that centres on the concept of speed-running, but we at least expected the campaign to be of a decent length, not to mention deliver a strong story. While NowGamer enjoyed the concept of Mirror's Edge, it ended so abruptly after about the four hour mark, leaving an impression that developer DICE had either run out of ideas, or that it was pretty sure it was getting to make a sequel. Due to lacklustre sales, the latter seems unlikely.3. The BouncerApprox time: 1 hour On paper, the concept of a Final Fight-StyIe brawler built around Final Fantasy sensibilities sounds like a dream ticket. But the reality of The Bouncer is middling graphics, characters with daft hair and even dafter names, as well as a ropey fight mechanic and fleeting story mode. The whole thing was a sloppy lesson in how not to do scrolling beat-em-ups in 3D, and regrettably, one of the NowGamer team bought it on launch day. Ouch.2. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog DaysApprox time: 3-4 hours This one is well documented seeing as Kane & Lynch 2 only came out recently. It's true that the campaign can be rinsed in just over the three hour mark on normal setting, but no matter how much anyone tells you otherwise, the multiplayer mode simply cannot justify the levels of repeat playing that warrant a full price-tag. We keep finding ourselves asking how this is possible in today's industry.1. Rogue WarriorApprox time: 4 hours Oh dear, oh dear, oh bloody dear. Rogue Warrior simply has to be a mainstay of top ten lists with negative connotations due to how utterly shoddy it is. Based on the 'real-life' military escapades of Dick Marcinko, the guy is allegedly hard as nails and no stranger to dishing out pain. We reckon he'd crack and start weeping like a child after playing this total waste of time for its measly sub-four hour campaign. We urge you to go out and buy copies only to destroy them.

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