As a gamer who is also a mom who works full time and tries to have other hobbies, I often struggle to find time to delve into my favorite games. That's why, as sad as it is, time optimization is always a challenge. But gaming is such a passion that giving up on it, as many gamers my generation (1980s, baby) have, was not an option.
And what's worse, my favorite games are typically RPGs, especially the open-world or semi-open-world ones that keep me occupied with side content that I can't, for the life of me, ignore (I swear, I tried).
So, I developed some strategies for getting the most game for my time and other strategies that help me balance work, personal life, and gaming.
Watch Let's Plays!
One of the best ways to enjoy any title, recent, short, long, niche, or AAA, is to watch someone else play while you care for other things, such as cooking or other adult hobbies, such as puzzling, journaling, writing, or even work. One easy way to experience games without investing a significant amount of time is by indulging in Let's Plays.
The added benefit is saving money by getting a sense of whether you would like a certain game before you invest in it yourself. I can also enjoy games that are outside of the genres I like to play, such as horror.
There are exceptions, of course; some games just don't feel the same way watching them vs. playing them, but at the very least, you get some idea of the story, mechanics, and overall gaming experience without having to actually play.
A few of my favorite Let's Play Channels on YouTube are:
Lore Videos
Lore videos, kind of the little brother of Let's Plays, are another way of experiencing games without having to play them, and most of the time, they come in compact packages. Lore videos make the most sense for games with a lot of hidden content or meaning and generally lead with their brilliant story. They're also great for falling asleep at night ;)
A few of my favorite Lore Channels on YouTube are:
Shorter Games! Shorter Games?
Okay, this one is obvious, but it can be tricky to follow through. The bucks can be tight in times of inflation, uncertainty in the job market, and feeding your family. Therefore, it's easy to fall into the trap of getting games with long runtimes simply for the feeling that you got your money's worth.
Getting a game for more than $20 but a runtime of less than 15 hours is something that I and many others I know struggle with. One option is to use your wishlist and the plethora of sales and free games across platforms.
Another one is to adjust your mindset. Is it really about the time you spend in a game that makes it worthwhile? Even if that runtime is artificially prolonged by senseless filler content? Or would it also be okay if the runtime is only 12 hours, but instead, you get an experience that will stay with you long past the playtime? There are good and bad examples on either side.
Some games like SOMA (2015, Frictional Games) and the Hellblade series (2017 & 2024, Ninja Theory) are on the shorter end, the latter having recently made headlines on that topic, but I keep thinking about them still, even after having finished them (a long time ago in the case of SOMA and Hellblade I). Think about it as a vacation slightly out of budget, but you did it and feed off those memories for weeks, months, or even years later.
There are also games like Elden Ring (2022, FromSoftware) that are ridiculously long but worth every second, depending on who you ask. So maybe the solution here is not to use runtime as a reason to buy or not buy a game but to adjust your expectations and what you want to get out of the experience.
And then buy them on sale ;)
A few of my favorite shorter games that I still think about
Firewatch (2016, Campo Santo)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and Senua's Sage: Hellblade II (2017 & 2024, Ninja Theory)
What Remains Of Edith Finch (2017, Giant Sparrow)
Portable Gaming Platforms!
Next up, we have gaming on the go, another strategy at your disposal for a quick hit. And I'm not talking about mobile gaming, which, of course, is an option too, but not the one I'm referring to. I'm talking about full-fledged AAA titles that are in your pocket, courtesy of the Nintendo Switch and the Steamdeck.
Both have truly revolutionized the way we adults can game. At home? Project to the big screen. With your kids at the playground? Use handheld mode! This is a quick way to chip away at even bigger titles.
In all fairness, phones and tablets have noteworthy games and ports these days, too. But in my opinion, they're still subpar to actual game consoles.
A few of my favorite AAA titles that are available on the go:
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom (2023, Nintendo)
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020, CD Project Red)
Elden Ring (2022, FromSoftware)
Quick Save, Auto Save, Cloud Save, Cross-Save, Pause!
Another criterion that can be the make or break for me is a reliable pause function that actually pauses the game, seamless dropping in and out of the game without any progress losses, quick save options or checkpoints so that I can stop and play anytime.
Being able to pause a game and resume precisely where I left off ensures I can enjoy gaming sessions without the pressure of completing lengthy segments in one sitting. It has developed as a critical feature that I appreciate when it's there and sorely miss when it's not. It's an absolute must when you have an unpredictable schedule, i.e., a 3-year-old who will claim your attention even after bedtime.
Some surprising examples either have or lack this specific feature, but thankfully, checkpoints and time-saving functions are commonly present in modern games. Legit pause functions, surprisingly not (eying all those semi-online, coop games). Or, even worse, non-pausable cut scenes.
Here are a few of my favorite games for a quick drop-in and drop-out:
Elden Ring (2022, FromSoftware)
It drops you precisely into the game where you left it, so much so that it's sometimes used as a game mechanic.
It does not have a proper pause function; however, there's no respawn (so long as you don't rest after clearing your area, of course)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011, Bethesda)
Pause anytime and anywhere, even in combat
Save whenever
Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (2020 & 2024, Square Enix)
Regular checkpoints
Save whenever
Don't force yourself to be a completionist!
This one is hard for many, not so much for others (duh). I'm of the former. And to make things worse, as mentioned in the beginning, I tend to favor games with many distractions and side content to offer.
In short, I don't have a good recommendation here other than: It's your life. Don't do content if it's tedious. You don't need to do all the fetch quests.
Or: Doing all the fetch quests is okay if you enjoy the game enough.
Games are made to appeal to a broader mass. It's okay if you're among the percentage of players who want to make it to the credits.
I recently talked to a friend who played Final Fantasy 16 and did just the main quests. I cringed inside and wanted to shout from the rooftops that the side missions enrich the story and the characters so much. But he finished the game and saw the credits. Otherwise, he wouldn't have. It would've molded away on yet another pile of shame.
So, whatever! Play however you want.
Here are a few of my favorite videos to overcome the inner completionist:
Embrace Story Mode (and summons)!
I will die on this hill: There's nothing wrong with opting for lower difficulties and story modes. There's a reason many modern games have them. If your real life already stresses you out, why would you put yourself through that for fun, too?
Not to say that it can't be fun to get your ass whopped in certain 'Hardcore RPGs' 36 times in a row. But it's not for everyone and all the time. Are you looking for a relaxed evening? Use the game mechanics offered to make the experience smoother, and enjoy the ride.
Bored? Well, increase the difficulty or play something else.
But please stop feeling bad (and making others feel bad) for using the game mechanics and features that are offered.
It's okay to select story mode.
It's okay to select items to automate your combat if you're not there for the combat.
It's okay to use the mimic tear if that stands between you and the Elden Ring credits.
Here are a few of my favorite 'easy mode' game mechanics:
Spirit summons in Elden Ring
'God mode' in Control
Combat automation in Nier Automata
In conclusion
Optimizing your game time doesn't have to be a daunting task. By exploring alternative gaming experiences and being open to certain little helpers within the game or its offered mechanics, anyone can continue to indulge in their passion for gaming while effectively managing work and family and finally finishing that darned novel that has been eyeballing you from the corner for the last five years.
Always remember that gaming is meant to be enjoyable. With the right approach, anyone can make the most of every gaming moment, no matter how limited the time.
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