Games To Finish On Weeknights


Published on Feb 23, 2025 | Last Updated on Feb 23, 2025
This is a growing list of games I've enjoyed or I think are worth playing that can be completed on a weeknight after work. Since these are weeknight affairs, the descriptions are based on what vibe you'd be in for.
  1. Under an Hour
  2. A Few Hours (1 - 3)
  3. Many Hours (3 - 4)
  4. More Games




Free on Itch.io

30 min ⏲

Xenosphere For a light-hearted smile-inducing evening
It's only 30 minutes and it's free. Just play it.

Short, sweet, and a pleasant surprise.

Playstation

< 1 hr ⏲

Vib-Ribbon For punchy bubblegum Japanese pop-rock

A simple rhythm game with an incredible soundtrack and seeing lo-fi Vibri spinning to your controls. The gimmick is it stores itself on your PS1 ram to swap in your own CDs for custom music maps.

Playstation

1 - 2 hrs ⏲

Parappa the Rapper For a charming silly rhythm game

The classic rhythm game with iconic rhymes and characters. Clunky controls for a one-of-a-kind rhythm game. Note: The PSP is much harder.

Playstation

1 - 2 hrs ⏲

One Piece Mansion For that frenetic arcade energy

A fast-paced strategy game about managing your apartment's tenants to redirect their stress towards invading alien competing apartment landlords. A really unique arcade game and insanely cute.

Steam | Itch.io (cheaper)

2 - 3 hrs ⏲

Leap Year For a bite-sized subversive puzzle platformer

A game with a unique mechanics that feels like a puzzle game masquerading as a platformer. Has light skill checks and enough challenge to stump you.

Steam | Switch | PS4

1 - 2 hrs ⏲

Sayonara Wild Hearts For vibing to electropop and flashy neon visuals

Deal with heartbreak through motorcycle sword fights and horoscopes set to a dreamy pop album with bright neon visuals and simple controls ranging from rhythm game to auto-runner.

Steam | Switch

2 - 3 hrs ⏲

Later Alligator For puns and silly alligator animation

Help poor anxious Pat the Alligator reconnect with his shady New York alligator family tree through mini games and insanely cute animations. It's really cute.

Playstation

2 - 3 hrs ⏲

Incredible Crisis For silly mini-game antics and PS1 nonsense

Play as the members of a typical Japanese family trying to make it home for a birthday through a few dozen mini-games of varying quality.

Steam | PS3 | PS4

2 - 3 hrs ⏲

Journey For an atmospheric adventurous mood

A uniquely emotionally compelling where you fly, glide, and surf through beautiful landscapes. There's never been a game that's done it like this.

PS2

4 hrs ⏲

Gitarooman For a very fun ride with killer rhythm gameplay

One of my favourite rhythm games about shredding guitar, space battles, saving the universe, and believing in yourself. Not super easy, but I believe in you.

Steam

4 hrs ⏲

Hylics For a strange mood for incredible aesthetics

Not a gameplay-satisfying game, but that's not why you'd play this. You'd play this for the Fantastic Planet-like visuals and Earthbound-like surprises.


Games I don't love but they're short and I've played them

Playstation

< 1 hr ⏲

Strider 2
Capcom Arcade beat-em-up with cool future ninja aesthetic

Playstation

< 1 hr ⏲

Starfighter Sanvein
High sensory arcade shmup with with incredible FUI

Everything

3-4 hrs ⏲

Limbo
Moody minimal platformer