In Praise of Short Adventures

We've been trained to think longer means better, but some of my favorite mobile experiences barely last an evening. Hollow Lantern is a perfect example — it says what it needs to and then lets you go.

Short games can afford to be dense. There's no filler, no padding quests, just a tight arc that respects your time. On a phone, where sessions are naturally broken up, that focus is a gift.

The trick is knowing what you want. If you're after a long companion for months, a short adventure will leave you hungry. But when you want a complete story in a weekend, nothing beats it.

Don't judge these games by their runtime. Judge them by how you feel when the credits roll.