Summary
Player vs. Player games are among the most popular and commonly played in the world.MOBAs likeLeague of Legendshave millions of players, and other titles likeApex LegendsandFortniteboast consistent player bases. It’s hard to deny that PvP is a massive draw for many gamers, whether it’s team-based or a free-for-all.
Although many PvP games are hugely popular, a lot of them have matches that can take a long time.Leaguegames usually run upwards of thirty minutes, andApex Legendsrounds last around twenty minutes. For thosewho lose interest quickly, it may seem like the most popular PvP games all take way too long to play. Luckily, there’s a wide selection of games with quick matches for gamers who want snappy and fun sessions, where they can take on their friends without investing a large amount of time.
For those who have never encountered it,Nidhogg 2is the much-improved sequel to the classic fighting gameNidhogg. But it’s likely thistwo-player side-scrolleris nothing like any game most players have encountered before. A mix of limited abilities and one-hit deaths makes this game incredibly fun but very intense.
The premise ofNidhogg 2is to duel one’s opponent, defeat them, and run as far as possible into their territory. The enemy player will respawn with a new weapon and needs to be defeated again to continue progress. The ultimate goal is to reach the end of the opposite side, which is three screens away.Nidhogg2is simple in theory, and usually, games don’t last much more than a few minutes - but the best of the best might spend upwards of ten minutes trying to take each other out and win the game.
Street Fighter 6is the most recent installment in the classic fighting game series. It features three different modes, two of which center around PvP combat. Fighting Ground and Battle Hubencourage both localand online multiplayer, where gamers can fight until one person is victorious - much like the arcade style of the franchise’s roots.
MostStreet Fighter 6PvP matches only take a few minutes, and are very unlikely to run for a long time. It’s the definitive fighting game, packaged with brilliant graphics and updated gameplay.Street Fight 6is the perfect title for players who don’t like long-winded games, and it’s ideal to hop in with friends and go a few rounds during a spare hour.
Stick Fight: The Gameis exactly what it sounds like. Players assume the role of a stick figure and battle other players in a fast-pacedfight to the death. It’s for 2 to 4 players and can be played locally or online - making it the perfect, snappy PvP choice for a game night.
The whole point of this game is that the rounds are quick, often taking a few seconds and never usually more than a few minutes. Players can continue to go up against each other and obtain various weapons for new take-downs, racking up kills until one person remains victorious. The player who won the previous round will get a neat little crown, which makes it all the more fun to take them down.
Dead by Daylightis a multiplayer survival game where one player takes on the role of a killer, and the others become victims desperately trying to escape. It’s a unique style of PvP that requiresplayers to use specific perksand environmental aspects to win. Typically played as a 1v4, it’s a fresh take on PvP games with a lot more focus on atmosphere and wits rather than brute force.
MostDead by Daylightgames take around twenty minutes, potentially longer if players are either very good or very bad. It’s more complex than a lot of other PvP games, but it doesn’t lose the intensity of player-on-player conflict, which makes it a nice in-between. While it is on the lengthier end of quick-to-play PvP titles, it provides a different enjoyment to dual/fighting-based games.
For those who have never playedRocket League, the game might look bizarre - probably because it kind of is.Rocket Leagueis, at its core, a sports simulator where players go head-to-head in soccer. The catch: everyone is in a car.
Thisfast-paced, team-based PvP game has become massively popular since its release in 2015, quickly becoming a big name in esports. The best part is thatRocket Leaguematches last around five minutes, so players can get a quick match in whenever they have some spare time. After five minutes, the game goes into sudden death where the next person to score wins the whole game - meaning there’s very little chance of the game accidentally running over.
Brawlhallais aSuper Smash Bros.style fighting game where players battle it out to see who’s the best. A selection of different maps and game modes keep it interesting, and the controls are incredibly easy to learn. Whether it’s 1v1 or a free-for-all,Brawlhallais a brilliantly fun game that will have players cheering, raging, and celebrating victories. It’s also another game that picked up a lot of traction in competitive esports, proving how popular it is.
For those who don’t want to invest hours of their life,Brawlhallamatches typically only last a few minutes - even if players go multiple rounds in a row. As the characters take damage, they become progressively more likely to be knocked off-screen, and eventually, one person will be the sole survivor. A combination of the easy-to-learn mechanics and short matches makeBrawlhallaan easy go-to during a few free minutes.
