You know that feeling when you're staring at your backlog and everything looks like a massive commitment? The 80-hour open-world game, the sprawling RPG, the never-ending live service title... it's exhausting before you even start. But here's a game-changer (pun intended): what if you prioritized the shorter games instead?
The completion anxiety is real
Big games are awesome, but they come with baggage. You start that 60-hour JRPG knowing full well you might not finish it for months – if at all. Meanwhile, shorter games sit there gathering dust because we think they're 'too short' to justify the time investment. That's backwards thinking. A completed 8-hour game beats an abandoned 40-hour one every single time.
What you actually gain from shorter games
Playing shorter games first completely changes your gaming momentum:
- You build actual momentum – finishing games feels incredible and motivates you to play more
- You discover variety faster – three different 10-hour games beat one repetitive 30-hour slog
- You avoid burnout – switching between games keeps things fresh and exciting
- You make real progress – clearing 5 indie games in a month feels way better than being stuck on act 2 of one massive RPG
Mix short and long for best results
This isn't about never playing long games – it's about balance. Try alternating: finish a tight 6-hour platformer, then dive into that epic you've been saving. The short game gives you momentum and a win, while the long game offers depth. Tools like Play Wisp make this easy by letting you see completion times upfront, so you can plan your gaming schedule like a pro.
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