Short adventure games that are worth your evening

Sometimes I don't want a sprawling campaign. I want to sit down after work, play something with a strong atmosphere, and reach an ending. Short adventure games are perfect for that, and mobile has quietly become a great home for them.

The Hollow Lantern is my recent favourite in this space. It's maybe five hours long, and every one of them is paced with care. The puzzles never cross into frustration, and the mood carries you through. Finishing it in two sittings felt like watching a good film.

The trick with these games is to play them undistracted. Adventure titles live and die on atmosphere, and half-watching the TV while you tap around ruins the effect. Put on headphones, dim the lights, and let it set the tone.

Don't dismiss a game just because it's short. A tight four hours you remember beats forty hours of filler every time.