Summary
With their battle passes and constant updates, multiplayer games can sometimes be a big commitment. Not everybody is in it for the long haul, nor do they have hours a day to dedicate to them. This is where the games below come in handy.
While they vary in genre and progression, they all let players jump in for just a few minutes to have some quick fun. This makes them a great option for some entertainment before a busy day or a quick way to wind down before going to sleep — as long as players do not get too frustrated with losing.
Call of Dutyhas always been a fast-paced series, butBlack Ops 6further escalates the speed of multiplayer matches with its new omnimovement system.Some game modes take some time, but the classic Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed offer simple run-and-gun scenarios that will satisfy gamers even after one match.
The Gunfight mode also goes by quickly, and in that mode, players do not even have to worry about their loadouts. The Face-Off playlists on tiny maps are particularly good for these kind of micro-play sessions, since even if one is in last place, they are still bound to get plenty of kills.
Zombies mode, while a lot of fun, is not optimal for short play sessions. An experienced group of players can last well over an hour through dozens of waves.
Battle royale matches can greatly vary in length. Players looking for a quickFortniteround can jump right into the weeds by parachuting into a hot spot with other players and testing their might right away instead of first scrounging for supplies.The popular free-to-play titleis also on this list because of its many other modes.
Fortnite Festivalis headed by Harmonix and is basicallyRock BandwithinFortnite.Rocket RacingbyRocket Leaguedeveloper Psyonix pits players against each other in short vehicular races. Both of these extra modes only require about five to ten minutes to enjoy in a short burst.
Sword fighting can be as complicated or as simple as a game wants it to be.Nidhogg2boils fencing down to the basics. These one-on-one rounds in a two-dimensional battlefield offer players just a few techniques.
Blocking and attacking are mostly determined by the one of three positions the sword is held in. Players can also knock the sabers out of each other’s hands, leaving the opponent defenseless. The mechanics are easy to understand and lead to fast-paced rounds.
WhereNidhoggmakes melee combat simple and immediately engaging,For Honormakes it detailed and strategic. All the same, the multiplayer matches can last as little as five minutes if players just engage in one-on-one duels.
The game also offers a variety of weapons and classes to fight with and manages to balance each of these when pitting them against each other. Though the duels are one-on-one, the camera still remains behind the player’s shoulder, giving them an entirely different feel thantraditional fighting games.
Even if the Nintendo Switch has longer load times than the PS5 and Xbox Series X, players can still jump into a round ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatequickly. Local multiplayer was always a staple of the series, butSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatealso has an active online multiplayer community.
The roster offers easy-to-understand fightersthat have been with the series from the start, like Link and Luigi, along with more complex characters — like Steve fromMinecraft. Online multiplayer is still a blast, even if there is a chance players will run into an expert who will instantly wipe the floor with them.
Fighting games are always a good pick for quick multiplayer matches. A match will not last longer than five minutes even if both players win one round and the winner is decided by the third.
Mortal Kombathas always been characterized by mechanics that are friendlier to newcomers than more complex fighting games, and the newest entry,Mortal Kombat 1, is no exception. Even after just one five-minute match, players can learn about their opponents and think of ways to counter their strategies. Newcomers can also learn a lot from just one single match.
Mobile card games generally have short rounds.Marvel Snapis still exceptional in this regard. Its simplicity and speed while still retaining a strategic element is what makes it so appealing. Given the Marvel brand, it is logical to make it a more accessible take on the genre.
A match inMarvel Snapcan last about five minutes, a length just long enough to keep players hooked with a “just one more before I stop” mentality. However, people who are really in a rush can get a small thrill by doing just one round before moving on to something else.
To put it simply,Rocket Leagueis soccer played with RC cars. The idea works brilliantly. Multiplayer matches are played to a five-minute timer, which stops for a bit with each goal. Still, players should not expect to spend more than ten minutes in a single game.
Rocket League’sphysics open up players to complex maneuvers, delivering an exceptionally high skill ceiling, but it is still fun to bump the ball around in a more casual multiplayer setting. Understanding how to control the ball is important, but so is knowing how to distract and blow up enemy players.
