A Look at the World’s Favorite Short Form Games

When it comes to the world of gaming, most people probably imagine larger-than-life series, franchises, and gaming worlds. From Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise to open-world adventures like The Witcher and Grand Theft Auto, there’s great emphasis placed on expansive projects. In fact, these tend to take the lion’s share of critical acclaim.

But that doesn’t mean that long-form games are the only options for gamers. As the industry diversifies, there are more alternative options than ever before. This is especially true now that mobile gaming has become one of the most popular ways for newcomers to access titles or try something new.

Compared to PC games or consoles, a mobile device is highly accessible. Mobile games also place a much smaller strain on developers in terms of funding, programming, and launching. It should come as no surprise that many gamers are open to new experiences—even short-form ones. That’s right, some gamers aren’t actually interested in endless and expansive games. 

Some of them actually prefer a short and sweet option that lets them unwind for a bit before returning to the real world. Let’s take a closer look at the world’s most popular genres for short game options, including mobile and non-mobile titles.

Slots

As outlined above, mobile games are massively important. Not only are they the most common type of game, but they’re also the most lucrative genre within the gaming industry. The fourth most popular genre by revenue is actually casino games, with slots being the jewel in the crown. 

If you’re new to casino games and aren’t sure how slot machines work digitally, don’t worry—it’s very straightforward. Players search around for a title with a high RTP (over 95%) that also meets their thematic interests, from fantasy romance to fast cars. From there, they spin the wheel and wait for bonus rounds to unlock and multipliers to hit. Each spin only takes a few seconds to pan out, making these ideal for short-form fans.

Match-Three

For close to a decade, match-three games have been the standout hit in the world of casual mobile games. From Bejeweled to Candy Crush Saga, these games have truly nailed the experience for gamers. First and foremost, these games are popular for their almost meditative gameplay. Players simply connect dots, bubbles, or jewels to remove them from a grid. 

But, similar to slots and their myriad themes and bonus rounds, there’s a lot more at play here than it seems. As players advance in match-threes, they unlock new levels and personalization features. This helps add a bit of texture and context to each new level they unlock, no matter how short their gaming sessions are.

Mysteries

Who says mysteries have to be extensive and complex? In the realm of short-form games, mysteries have become an emerging genre that presents clever tricks of the mind—not highly complicated premises. They run a large gamut of themes, from the satirical, cheeky The Stanley Parable to a more nostalgic take like What Remains of Edith Finch. 

The idea is to allow gamers to take on a manageable challenge, which provides them with a sense of completion and satisfaction after a short session. Similar to visual adventures, many short-form mysteries rely on excellent graphics to immerse gamers. But some titles are also known for their next-level writing, including hits like Firewatch and Oxenfree.

Visual Adventures

Visual adventures are an emerging genre within gaming. They take players into highly immersive worlds with incredible graphic design where they must complete straightforward missions. Unlike long-form adventures (from action hits like Red Dead Redemption to more social journeys like Genshin Impact), these are more geared toward relaxation.

Players undertake missions that are designed for casual relaxation instead of competitive leveling up. Some of the biggest hits of recent times are Journey, A Short Hike, and Dear Esther. Each game takes players into a highly unique and gorgeous world where they must do things like reach a mountain in the distance or simply explore a romantic island.