As the two major console subscription services,Xbox Game Passand PlayStation Plus, continue expanding their catalogs of free games, players are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding what to play next. If you’re looking for a quick game to play through and don’t want to fork out any extra cash, there are plenty of games on these services that you can knock out in a single day.
All the games here can be beaten in 12 hours or less, with games likeFirewatchbeing as short as just four hours and still managing to deliver an incredible experience. Further, there are some high-quality games and even GOTY contenders included here, such asBalatro, that you can beat quickly or pick up again later and dive back in for another go.
10Superhot: Mind Control Delete Is Like GoldenEye Meets Portal
Beat Superhot: MCD In 7 Hours For Free On Game Pass
If you’ve never tried out the iconic first-person shooter, which feels a lot likeGoldenEyemeetsPortal, you’re missing out.Superhot: Mind Control Deleteis the third entry in theSuperhotseries and is available on Game Pass for free. It’s incredibly fun, addicting, and youcan finish the main story in about seven hours.
Superhotoperates around a simple but ingenious mechanic:when you move, time moves.Add to that matrix-style firefights against faceless red men, and that pretty much sums up what you can expect fromSuperhot’sunique and addictive gameplay.
While you won’t have any problem beating this in a day, chances areyou’ll want to play the originaland/or dive back intoMind Control Delete’sadditional content to see what else the IP has to offer.
9A Way Out: An Exclusively Co-Op Action-Adventure Experience
You Can Finish A Way Out With Game Pass EA Play In Just 6 Hours
A Way Outis a strictly cooperative multiplayer game that isfree to play on Xbox Game Pass with EA Play,and you can also play with a friend for free whether or not they’ve purchased the game or have Game Pass thanks to thefriends pass free trialfeature.
Players jump into the role of one of two prisoners whoally to escape from prison, facing major obstacles along the way. It’s an incredibly unique multiplayer game that you’re able to complete with a friend in less than six hours.
The same developers behindBrothers created a Way Out: A Tale of Two Sons,Hazelight,which is also worth mentioning as a great game you may complete in a very short amount of time, though it isn’t included in Game Pass’s free games.
8Firewatch: A Big Mystery In A Small Package
Complete Firewatch’s Main Story On Game Pass In As Little As 4 hours
Firewatchis an incredible and short mystery game that delivers an amazing experience that can becompleted in as few as four hours.Firewatchfeatures an emotional story that will leave a lasting impression, despite the game being relatively short.
Created by developers Campo Santo,Firewatchisavailable for free via Xbox Game Passand is a game"about adults having adult conversations about adult things,“so don’t be misled by its cartoonish style or setting into thinking it’s a game for kids.
Firewatchis a must-play puzzle gamethat Game Pass members shouldn’t sleep on, especially if you’re a fan of recent puzzle sensations likeBlue Prince(see below). Firewatch follows a man named Henry as he puts out various fires in the woods and reveals more about his relationships and life in the process.
7Limbo: An Essential 2D Puzzle-Platformer
Limbo Is Free On Game Pass & Can Be Beaten In Only 3 Hours
Limbois a 2D puzzle-platformer where you play as a boy searching for his sister in a dark, eerie world filled with deadly traps and strange creatures. Its minimalist art style features black-and-white visuals and ambient sounds,creatinga relatively haunting ambiance.
you’re able to playLimbofor free on Game Pass and beat the entire game in just three hours, making it one of the quickest and most fun games to play on this list. The game features clever puzzles and trial-and-error mechanics,requiring precise timing and strategy.
Each obstacle feels like a mystery to solve, and is tense while playing, but satisfying when solved. With no dialogue or narration,Limbotells its story purely through gameplayand environment, making it a uniquely immersive experience that keeps players engaged through curiosity and challenge.
6DOOM (2016): DOOM Slayer Returns From The Other Side
You Can Beat DOOM’s Modern Comeback Game For Free On PlayStation Plus In 12 hours
DOOM(2016) is a fast-paced first-person shooter that puts you in the boots of the legendary Doom Slayer, awakenedafter the events of DOOM 3to stop a demonic invasion on Mars.The game emphasizes speed, aggression, and brutal combat, rewarding players for facing enemies head on.
Doom is praised for its wide array of powerful weapons, fluid movement, and “glory kills” for health boosts. Its metal soundtrack and hellish environments add to the adrenaline-pumping experience.You can beat theDOOMreboot in roughly 12 hours, which is a bit longer than most on this list, but well worth it.
The single-player campaign is packed with action, secrets, and upgrade systems that keep gameplay fresh. Best of all,DOOM(2016) is currently free to play for PlayStation Plus Extra members, and it’s a perfect game for fans of high-octane action.
5Little Nightmares 2: A Haunting Little World Full Of Secrets
Complete Little Nightmares 2 In 5 Hours On Game Pass
Little Nightmares 2is a suspenseful puzzle-platformer where you play as Mono, a young boy navigating a distorted, nightmarish world alongside Six, the protagonist from the first game. Together, they must escape terrifying foes like the Teacher and the Thin Man while uncovering the dark secrets of the Signal Tower.
Critically acclaimed for its haunting atmosphere, striking art direction, and immersive sound design, the game tells a chilling story without dialogue. Its clever puzzles and tense stealth sequences keep players on edge, while theemotional narrative leaves a lasting impression.
Available for free on Xbox Game Pass,Little Nightmares 2offers a gripping, cinematic experience that can be completed in around 5 hours and is perfect for a spooky night in.
4High On Life: If You Like Rick & Morty, This Game Is For You
Complete This Hilarious Shooter On Game Pass In As Little As 7 Hours
High on Lifeis a colorful, comedic first-person shooter from the co-creator ofRick and Morty,Justin Roiland.DespiteRoiland’s disgraceful behavior,High on Lifeis an incredibly hilarious game, and it can be completed in just 7 hours.
You play as a teenager turned bounty hunter, fighting off an alien cartel thatwants to use humans as drugs. What sets the game apart is its talking weapons, each with unique personalities and abilities that add humor and depth to combat. The gameplay combines fast-paced shooting with platforming, exploration, and absurdly funny dialogue.
Players love its irreverent tone, creative world design, and bizarre characters, making it feel like an interactive animated show. Best of all,High on Lifeisfree on Xbox Game Pass, making it a perfect time to jump in and enjoy the chaos.
3Inside: A Worthwhile Follow-Up To Limbo
Insideis another critically acclaimed puzzle-platformer from Playdead, known for itshaunting atmosphere and masterful storytellingwithout a single line of dialogue (noticing a trend?). You play as a nameless boy escaping a dystopian world filled with dark secrets, surveillance, and mind control.
The game features equally stunning minimalist visuals asLimbo, fluid animations, and an eerie sound design thatimmerses players from start to finish.Puzzles are integrated seamlessly into the environment, offering satisfying challenges that never feel repetitive.
What makesInsidetruly incredible is its mysterious narrative, and every moment feels meaningful, with a shocking ending that leaves a lasting impression. The experience is tightly crafted and never overstays its welcome, making it perfect for a single session.
Insideis available forfree on Xbox Game Passand can be completed in around 3 hours, offering a short yet unforgettable gaming experience for fans of thoughtful, artistic games.
TheDead Spaceremake isa masterful reimaginingof the 2008 survival horror classic, rebuilt from the ground up with stunning visuals, enhanced audio, and improved gameplay mechanics. Players step into the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped aboard the derelict USG Ishimura,battling grotesque alien creaturesknown as Necromorphs.
The remake retains the chilling atmosphereof the original while modernizing it with seamless loading, refined controls, and expanded story elements that deepen the narrative. Its intense combat, strategic dismemberment system, and immersive sound design make every moment feel tense and rewarding.
1Balatro: A Roguelike Deck-Builder & 2024 GOTY Nominee
You Can Technically Beat Balatro In Just 7 Hours For Free On Game Pass
Balatrois a wildly inventive roguelike deck-building game that combines poker mechanics with unique andpowerful rule-breaking upgrade options. Players build hands like flushes or straights, but twist the rules using Joker cards and modifiers to create devastating combos and wrack up massive points.
Its addictive gameplay loop, satisfying progression, and endless strategic depth made ita surprise Game of the Year contender in 2024. With a sleek retro style and a jazzy soundtrack,Balatrofeels both nostalgic and fresh. Each run offers new possibilities, keeping players coming back for just one more try.
Despite its depth, it’s easy to pick up and can be completed in under 7 hours, though many will find themselves hooked long after. Best of all,Balatrois available for free onXbox Game Pass, making this brilliant, genre-defying indie hit a must-try. If you’re looking for something to do on your day off, I’d highly recommend givingBalatroa try.
