PS Plus Extrahas hundreds of PS5 and PS4 games, many of which require a hefty time investment to fully appreciate. TheAssassin’s Creedgames,Horizon Zero Dawn,Death’s Stranding,Ghost of Tsushima,Returnal,Demon’s Souls, andFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Intergradeare fantastic, but they are all massive adventures with campaigns lasting for more than 20 hours, at the minimum. Sometimes, a more concise game is the way to go.
When a subscription is close to ending and renewal is not on the cards, a brisk experience that can be completed in one sitting is generally the best option. And, while thebest short games on PS Plus Extramight not offer quantity, they deliver quality.
If physical copies are available, a link to a game’s Amazon page will be included for those who prefer to go down that route.
Superliminalis short and engaging. Set in the mind of a doctor, players have to traverse a series of perspective-based puzzles as they try to get out of a deep sleep that gets progressively more surreal. While the premise is relatively simple, the game knows how to make full use of its setting and concepts. Even though they tend to stick to the same rules and twists, the puzzles are generally quite creative in how they encourage players to analyze their situations from different angles.
Although not obtuse or impossible,Superliminalcan get quite difficult at times, which only serves to heighten the satisfaction when a solution is discovered. PS Plus has a few decentpuzzle games, and this indie release stands alongside the best of them.
A great short story-driven experience can rival a AAA release with a long runtime if done correctly.What Remains of Edith Finchis an emotional, eerie at times, and beautifully designed “walking simulator” that sees plays uncovering a mystery as they progress.
Without spoiling much from this wonderfully executed micro-title, the story itself should take players around 2 hours to complete, while those looking to experience every possible nook and cranny of this interesting and thought-provoking adventure will spend about 3 hours in its visually striking environments.
Doom-style action is associated with rock and metal music, but most games do not directly tie the two together.Metal: Hellsingerdecided to make that move, adding a rhythm base to a typical run-and-gun routine. As is custom, players find themselves rampaging through a hellish dimension filled with demons that need ashotgun blast to the face. Their slaughter is accompanied by heavy metal music, and if they match their actions to the beat, they receive a neat boost to their damage.
In 2023, this concept was explored to great results byHi-Fi Rush, albeit with hack-and-slash action replacing gunplay. While an argument could be made that it does not reach the same heights,Metal: Hellsingernevertheless does an impressive job blending two genres that are typically only linked thematically.
Untitled Goose Gameis a short and sweet slice of surreal mayhem. A village has been invaded by a spirited goose (or geese, if playing in co-op), and the bird is loud, aggressive, and fond of stealing objects. Cast as the adorable but mischievous animal, players get to spread chaos across the town as they attempt to solve puzzles while avoiding the grasp of the perplexed and exasperated humans.
Untitled Goose Game’s silly concept translates to an impressively enjoyable overall package. While this could have been a meme game, House House implemented fairly sound core mechanics; ultimately, this is a pretty decent entry in the stealth and puzzle genres.Untitled Goose Gamealso does not overstay its welcome since the campaign can easily be completed in one afternoon, making it one of thebest short PS Plus games.
Abzuis cut from the same cloth asJourney. While not quite as revered as the latter, the 2016 release still garnered a largely positive reception thanks to its stunning environments, relevant theme, and great soundtrack. As a diver,players explore an ocean filled with remnants of a bygone civilization. En route, the protagonist begins to revitalize the sea.
Abzuis the type of experience designed to be consumed in one session. Lasting roughly two hours, the game does not offer much in the way of replay value, although the length can be expanded if the player takes their time and thoroughly explores the environments.
An innovative and charming puzzle game,The Gardens Betweenfollows two children as they go on a journey through their memories. Each level has a unique theme and structure, and the core gameplay introduces new ideas constantly throughout the short story.
Rather than provide full control over the leads, the game allows players to manipulate time, allowing the children to move forward or backward. This needs to be done to carve a path to a level’s endpoint.The Gardens Betweenis imaginative and well-designed, leading to a memorable and unique experience.
Now, the remaining question is “Which entry should (new) players start with?” The obvious recommendation is to stick to the chronological order, but that would require starting with the originalMega Man, which is not one of the strongest games in the series. Consequently, the best bet would be to jump toMega Man 2, a classic that cements most of the mechanics that would be explored further in subsequent entries. However, Extra-only members have to go withMega Man 11, a sequel that modernizes the classic formula to provide a slightly more accessible but still punishing package.
The Artful Escapeis a character-driven platformer that guides its protagonist on a fantastical adventure that is not bound by space. Francis lives in the shadow of his uncle’s musical brilliance, and he is really feeling the pressure as he prepares to perform at a festival dedicated to his relative’s most beloved album. The night prior to the event, Francis is visited by an alien and whisked away to another realm, starting him on a bizarre and whimsicaljourney of self-discovery.
Gameplay-wise,The Artful Escapequalifies as a platformer, although this element is not the main focus. The game’s crowning achievements are its creative landscapes and settings, along with its musical touches. The story is also pretty great, and it is elevated by a surprisingly stacked cast featuring the likes of Lena Headey and Carl Weathers.
Minithas an inspired premise. The protagonist is stuck in a one-minute time loop that sends them back to their previous checkpoint, forcing them to start over. However, any developments or successes done in previous runs continue to impact the larger world, so progression is not reset either.
Hotshot Racing
Metascore: 77
A racing title might seem like a weird recommendation forshort PS Plus gamessince, typically, they do not have a fixed endpoint. However,Hotshot Racingfits the criteria better than most of the genre’s offerings as the game is relatively thin in the content department. Quality over quantity.
While there are a few extras, the package’s main mode consists of four cups, which combine for 16 tracks. These races can be completed in under two hours, and the game does not provide too much incentive to revisit the tracks beyond trying out different cars. That said,Hotshot Racinglooks and controls great, so arcade fans might find themselves returning to this project time and time again.
