Story-driven games you can finish in a weekend

If you're looking for story-driven games you can finish in a weekend, a narrative adventure is what you want: very little mechanics, plenty of character and an ending that arrives before you've run out of enthusiasm. These six can be played in an afternoon or two, don't ask for quick reflexes and are easy to put down and pick up again without losing the thread.

Choosing well matters more here than in other genres. A story game that drags on tends to get left half-finished, and one that catches you in the wrong mood isn't much fun. So we've split them by the kind of story you feel like.

If you want something intimate and emotional

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  What Remains of Edith FinchNarrative · Adventure · Walking simulatorWhen you have a quiet afternoon and want a complete, moving experience with no difficulty at all.When to play it and when not to
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  FirewatchNarrative · Adventure · ExplorationWhen you want a grown-up, lovely story you can finish in one or two afternoons, with no demands.When to play it and when not to

What Remains of Edith Finch is the shortest option: it takes about two hours. Edith returns to the family home to find out what happened to each member of her family, and every story is played in a different way. It has no difficulty at all, but its theme, death, isn't light. It isn't one to replay: it's one to experience once.

Firewatch puts you in the shoes of Henry, a fire lookout in Wyoming whose only company is Delilah, a voice on the walkie-talkie. You can finish it in an afternoon or two, with beautiful scenery and natural dialogue. If you expect action or big twists it won't suit you: it's an intimate story at a gentle pace.

If you fancy a mystery

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  OXENFREENarrative · Supernatural · AdventureWhen you want a mystery story you can play through in one or two afternoons, with no demands.When to play it and when not to
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  Her StoryDetective · FMV · MysteryWhen you want a mystery you can solve in a single evening with a notebook and some curiosity.When to play it and when not to

OXENFREE brings a group of teenagers to an island where, with a radio, they accidentally open a supernatural rift. The dialogue flows as you walk and you can interrupt the others. It also takes an afternoon or two, and all you have to do is talk, walk and tune the radio.

Her Story is different: you have a 1994 police database with hundreds of video clips of a woman's interviews, and you search for keywords to piece together what happened. It can be solved in a single evening, with a notebook and some curiosity. It doesn't give you an explained ending: it trusts your interpretation.

If you'd rather laugh or go at your own pace

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  The Stanley Parable: Ultra DeluxeNarrative · Comedy · MetaWhen you want to laugh and be surprised in short sessions: each run takes a few minutes.When to play it and when not to
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  Night in the WoodsNarrative · Adventure · Slice of lifeWhen you want a relatable, thoughtful story: each day in town is a short, pleasant session.When to play it and when not to

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is pure comedy about freedom of choice in video games. A narrator describes Stanley's every step, and the fun lies in whether you obey him. Each run lasts a few minutes and there are dozens of endings, so it's perfect for short sessions.

Night in the Woods is about Mae, who drops out of university and returns to her declining mining town. It's a story about growing up, mental health and where you come from, with humour and sadness in equal measure. Each day in the town is a short, pleasant session, ideal for taking it slowly. If a slow pace makes you impatient, look elsewhere.

How to plan the weekend

• Start with the shortest. If you're unsure, What Remains of Edith Finch is over in an afternoon and tells you whether this kind of game is for you.
• Play the story in one go. These games work best in one or two long sessions rather than spread over many small ones, so you don't forget who is who.
• Match your mood. For a quiet day, Firewatch or Night in the Woods; for a day when you want to think, Her Story; to laugh, The Stanley Parable.
• They have no difficulty. If you get stuck, it isn't your fault: there's almost never anything to lose.

If you only have small gaps instead, see our guide to games for 30 minutes, which is made for that.

Want us to suggest one?

Tell us how much time you have and how tired you are, and the recommender will suggest one. If you connect your Steam account, we choose from the ones you already own.