PS Plus Extra has hundreds of PS5 and PS4 games, many of which require a hefty time investment to fully appreciate. The Assassin's Creed games, Horizon Zero Dawn, Death's Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, Returnal, Demon's Souls, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade are 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 the best short games on PS Plus Extra might not offer quantity, they deliver quality.

Superliminal

Metascore: 80

Superliminal is 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.

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Although not obtuse or impossible, Superliminal can get quite difficult at times, which only serves to heighten the satisfaction when a solution is discovered. PS Plus has a few decent puzzle games, and this indie release stands alongside the best of them.

What Remains Of Edith Finch

Metascore: 88

A great short story-driven experience can rival a AAA release with a long runtime if done correctly. What Remains of Edith Finch is 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.

Metal: Hellsinger

Metascore: 78

Doom-style action is associated with rock and metal music, but most games do not directly tie the two together. Metal: Hellsinger decided 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 a shotgun 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 by Hi-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: Hellsinger nevertheless does an impressive job blending two genres that are typically only linked thematically.

Untitled Goose Game

Metascore: 80

Untitled Goose Game is 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 try 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 Game also does not overstay its welcome since the campaign can easily be completed in one afternoon, making it one of the best short PS Plus games.

Abzu

Metascore: 78

Abzu is cut from the same cloth as Journey. 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.

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Abzu is 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.

The Gardens Between

Metascore: 75

An innovative and charming puzzle game, The Gardens Between follows 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 Between is imaginative and well-designed, leading to a memorable and unique experience.

Mega Man 11

Metascore: 82

PS Plus Premium has all the mainline Mega Man games courtesy of the Legacy Collection two-parter and Mega Man 11, the latter of which is also available to Extra subscribers. Most entries in Capcom's franchise have short campaigns that can be completed in a couple of hours. That said, Mega Man is famously difficult, so newcomers who are dipping their toes into the franchise will likely require far longer than 3 hours to complete their first couple of games in the series, and that includes the 11th entry. Nevertheless, if someone is craving a challenging action-platformer, they cannot do much better than Capcom's legendary IP.

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 original Mega Man, which is not one of the strongest games in the series. Consequently, the best bet would be to jump to Mega 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 with Mega Man 11, a sequel that modernizes the classic formula to provide a slightly more accessible but still punishing package.

The Artful Escape

Metascore: 81

The Artful Escape is 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 whimsical journey of self-discovery.

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Gameplay-wise, The Artful Escape qualifies 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.

Minit

Metascore: 81

Minit has 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.

On paper, this formula might seem like it would get frustrating quickly, but Minit paces things out perfectly to ensure that there is always a sense of forward momentum, provided players are making the most of their short time. While it might not hit the mark with every subscribers, this great short PS Plus game deserves a try.

Hotshot Racing

Metascore: 77

A racing title might seem like a weird recommendation for short PS Plus games since, typically, they do not have a fixed endpoint. However, Hotshot Racing fits 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 Racing looks and controls great, so arcade fans might find themselves returning to this project time and time again.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition

Metascore: 75

Looking for a short game? Well, beat 'em ups are generally a safe bet since their campaigns rarely take longer than a few hours; however, the genre has a reputation for producing punishing games, so beginners will likely hit a few roadblocks along the way. Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World: The Game is not an exception by any means, and the first few stages can be discouragingly difficult for solo players. That said, it is possible to farm cash and then upgrade characters to make the process a bit smoother. The latter will be required anyway after a few levels, so a player can get a head start without downright breaking the game.

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Similar to the graphic novel and movie, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World: The Game finds Scott (or his friends) battling against Ramona's exes in a string of over-the-top battles ripped right out of '80s movies and all sorts of pop culture. Ubisoft's title has a colorful retro art style that fits the story, along with satisfying gameplay for the genre. Ultimately, this adaptation is mainly for fans of the source material or die-hard beat 'em up lovers who do not mind jumping into a universe unfamiliar to them.

Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons

Metascore: 81

Starbreeze's Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons follows two siblings as they go on a dangerous journey to try and find a liquid that can save their father. Although they do not always get along, they must work together if they want to have any hope of surviving this journey.

Despite seeming tailor-made for co-op, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a single-player game that maps each thumbstick to a different protagonist. This design decision enhances the story since it reinforces the brothers' relationship. Narratively, Starbreeze's game packs an incredible punch.

Unpacking

Metascore: 84

A novel concept executed to perfection, Unpacking chronicles a person's life journey by focusing exclusively on the days they move into new households. Most people who have been through this process in real life are probably aware of how stressful it can be, and they might be put off by the thought of playing a game consisting of just these moments; however, Unpacking manages to be relaxing and introspective.

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Each event plays out like a puzzle, with players having to empty the protagonist's boxes and place each item in their ideal spot. Simple but effective, this concept grants insight into the main character's past, present, and future. Lasting roughly 4 hours, Unpacking just about avoids overstaying its welcome, especially since the gameplay is quite repetitive. While not offering much in the way of replayvalue, Witch Beam's indie title is worth a playthrough for anyone looking for an interesting puzzle game with heart and personality.

The Pedestrian

Metascore: 83

The Pedestrian is an indie release that, for most people, might have slipped through the cracks when it debuted in 2020. While the game garnered a positive reception, it did not blow up like some other independent projects; consequently, outside of die-hard puzzle fans, most folks probably did not give Skookum Arts' release all that much attention. Which is a shame, as there is a lot to enjoy here.

The puzzle platformer uses signs as canvases, challenging players with framing their included lines in a way that allows them to make it from one side to the other. Although stripped back, The Pedestrian has a surprisingly striking visual style that helps it stand out from the crowd. The gameplay is also above average, offering decent brain-teasers that do require some thought from players.

Resogun

Metascore: 84

Resogun is a shoot 'em up that, on paper, does not last all that long. However, like so many of this genre's offerings, most players are unlikely to complete Housemarque's title on their first try. The game also follows an arcade blueprint that encourages repeating levels in order to achieve a higher score; consequently, Resogun could keep someone entertained for 4 or 40 hours.

Putting all that aside, the most important thing is that Resogun is fantastic. Housemarque has spent the best part of a decade crafting highly-regarded PlayStation exclusives, and this project ranks among the developer's strongest efforts.

Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon: Classic Edition

Metascore: 82 (Original Version)

Ubisoft's games are known for their massive worlds and lengthy campaigns that can easily last more than 40 hours, and that is a conservative figure. However, exceptions do exist, and if Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is anything to go by, they should be more frequent. A Far Cry 3 spin-off, Blood Dragon combines the main game's solid first-person shooter gameplay with an over-the-top narrative ripped right out of '80s action movies.

Although naturally streamlined, Blood Dragon still has its share of open areas that encourage exploration, they are just nowhere near as vast as other open-world games. If someone is searching for a Far Cry experience that is stripped of side activity and, for a lack of a better word, bloat, Blood Dragon is about as good of an option as Ubisoft has ever produced.

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