Best mini open world games

Most of us don't have infinite time on a weekday to play all the games we want. And as the weekend approaches, it'll be nice to know that you can start a new game and get the satisfaction of finishing it before Monday comes. If that's you and massive open-world RPGs and exploration games aren't compatible with your weekend plans, there are some cozy open-world options to keep you entertained.

I used HowLongToBeat.com's estimated completion times for main story, main story, side quests, and overall completion. These are estimates and your mileage may always vary. To achieve this, we've selected only games under 15 hours long and featuring open world environments that you can explore to your heart's content.

The Best Short Open World Exploration Games You Can Play This Weekend

Little Kitty, big city

Returning home, but not without cat antics.

It's a short and sweet open world game perfect for any fan of felines. Little Kitty, big city This is perfect if you don't feel like playing a very long game. You play as a black cat making her way home through an open world city, but instead of heading straight back, you can get up to all sorts of cat antics.

Explore freely, and you'll discover new and fun things to do, from causing typical cat mayhem by knocking over objects, stealing items, and just running around behind each corner, to meeting other animal friends. Consider the following game: goat simulatorBut instead of acting as a goat, he's an adorable cat who can also wear a variety of cute hats that you can unlock in the game. The circuit is pretty fun, and it's a dream come true for anyone who's ever wondered how simpler life would be if they were born a cat.

How to Get It Done in a Weekend

Little Kitty, big city For completers, it will take about 6 hours and 30 minutes, so you can complete it in a weekend if you choose to do everything in the game. The main story is only 2 hours and 30 minutes long, and if you add all the side content (if you don't fully complete it) it expands to 4 hours.

Alba: Wildlife Adventures

Download to protect nature and plant trees

Another very wholesome game is: Alba: Wildlife Adventures. Obviously we are on an animal theme here. Because the story takes you to a Mediterranean island with lovely, vivid visuals and lots of animals to discover. As a part-timer, your job is to help local wildlife. Through your good deeds, you can clear up trash, discover new animal species, take photos, and repair the wonderful island back to its former glory.

Oh, and the best part? Every time you download a game, it means planting a new tree. The environment is worth protecting, and if that's something you feel strongly about, this game will capture your heart. The point is to improve your island, but there's no set time, no pressure or stress to get everything done right away. Remove chips at your own pace.

How to Get It Done in a Weekend

Alba: Wildlife Adventures It's a very short game. Little Kitty, big city. Completionists can expect to finish it in just four hours, but the main story alone takes about two and a half hours. With all the side content added, it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, so it's very possible to complete the entire game in two days.

East Shade

A longer, picturesque adventure

If you have a little more time on the weekend or have an early start on Friday afternoon, East Shade It's a great open world option. Once again, animals appear in a cozy, yet again, fantasy world inhabited by owl-like creatures. The visuals are the first thing you notice and are impressive. East Shadeis the story of you, a painter, traveling around the world, painting scenes, solving puzzles, exploring, and meeting characters living in the world who need your help with various tasks.

The game focuses more on fantasy and mystery, making it ideal for players who enjoy the feel of strange worlds in large-scale open-world RPGs but don't really have the time or energy to play bigger titles with combat and leveling. Even if you mainly vibrate and explore during your travels, you can at least capture the magical atmosphere. As you receive help from each NPC and complete your painting, you'll dive deeper into the world's lore, unlocking new tools and areas.

How to Get It Done in a Weekend

Although it is a little longer, Eastshade's The main story can be easily completed in about 9 hours. If you really want to do all the side quests, that number increases to 12 hours and 30 minutes, and if you're a hardcore perfectionist, reserve 13 hours and 30 minutes to fully complete the game. However, if you're the type of person who really enjoys stopping and taking in the sights, keep in mind that it may take more than one weekend to explore Eastshade.

short hike

Climbing to see the cute world at a glance

More animals! this time short hikeIt's a truly precious little game with a lovely art style, quirky animal characters, and a cozy, wholesome world. If you're a hiking fan who can't hike this weekend, give this a try. Hawk Peak State Park Become a cute little bird on your way up the mountain.

very similar to Little Kitty, big cityIf that's your jam, you can technically speed through the game and reach the top, but you'll be missing the meat of the game. There are several hiking trails to choose from, encouraging you to explore and see what's out there. You can swim, fish, and meet other characters. As with most games, there are special treasures to find and collect for those who are looking, and you'll need to watch carefully and remember what you find. That's what travel is.

How to Get It Done in a Weekend

One of the shortest games on this list. short hike This is ideal if you're pressed for time this weekend but want to enjoy an open world game with some exploration. The main story can be completed in 1 hour and 30 minutes, and if you add all the side quests, it will take a total of 2 hours. But if you're planning on being a perfectionist, reserve four and a half hours this weekend to complete everything the game has to offer.

Firewatch

An emotional journey with a hint of mystery

In terms of time commitment, it lands somewhere in the middle and is shorter than that. East Shade But it's longer than the other three titles. Firewatch It's a great compromise for gamers who want some meat on the bones of their game. This is a game that will delight anyone who craves something narratively rich, emotionally, and surprisingly deep. There's a sense of mystery and a bit of tension as you play as a man named Henry and become a fire lookout on the moors. While Henry wants to escape what happened in his past and is trying to come to terms with it, his only connection to another human being is his supervisor on the other end of the radio, Delilah.

Over the next few days, many strange happenings occur in the park, and you end up having a deep and meaningful conversation with Delilah. The element of choice is important here too. This is because each conversation gives you several options to choose from. Even if you've visited the game once, you can easily reboot it and see what happens if you change your approach. Although there is no direct fear, there may be moments when mysterious events make you feel uneasy or somewhat frightened. Oh, and bring a box of tissues. You will need them.

How to Get It Done in a Weekend

main story Firewatch It's short at about 4 hours, with side quests only adding an extra 30 minutes. It's a fairly linear exploration game that's essentially a walking simulator. If you're a perfectionist, you'll need to reserve 5 hours to explore everything. Your mileage will increase as you play multiple times with different choices. But if you just want to get it done Firewatch One afternoon is enough time to solve the mystery.