Lightweight PC Games for Spring and Summer

The global gaming landscape today is massively diverse and there are feature-length epics available across all platforms, including the PC. There are times, however, when even the most ardent video gamer wants to kick back, relax and engage with a digital adventure that’s a little less taxing. 

This is especially true when the days grow longer and warmer; many of us find ourselves craving a quick gaming fix after a day spent in the sun. Luckily, there are plenty of compelling games for the PC that are perfectly suited to spring and summer months. The platform has had something of a resurgence in recent years and, while you would ordinarily associate lightweight games with mobile devices, you’ll be surprised at how varied games on the PC can be. 

In this post, we’ll be checking out six PC games that feature shorter play times and have universal appeal, making them the ideal choice for the sunnier season ahead. 

 

Vampire Survivors (2020)

Genre: Rogue-lite, Action

Developer: Poncle

Available on: Steam

Fancy taking on the living dead of a weekday evening? In Vampire Hunters, you can become an infamous vampire hunter and go face to face with a wave of increasingly challenging elements. Offering fast-paced action and compelling gameplay in bite-sized sessions, it’s the perfect title for casual gaming. Plus, its retro-inspired visuals and procedurally generated levels throwback to a simpler time in gaming history. 

 

Tetris Effect: Connected (2020)

Genre: Puzzle

Developer: Monstars, Resonair, Stage Games 

Available on: Steam

Tetris is a gaming franchise that has kept us entertained for decades and, in Tetris Effect: Connected, we have a worthy addition to the series. Building upon the classic gameplay of the original, this latest instalment features top-notch graphics and oddly soothing background music. It’s also novel enough to keep long-time Tetris fans engaged and is the ideal way to introduce Gen Z to the game. 

 

Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead (2016)

Genre: Online Slot 

Developer: Play’n GO

Available on: Various online casino platforms

Although strictly for gamers 21 and up, real money online slots games can offer an exciting take on casual gaming experiences, particularly with their potential for jackpot wins. In this Ancient Egyptian-inspired title, you can join explorer Rich Wilde on an epic quest to uncover ancient treasures in this thrilling slot game. Spin the reel and match the symbols to unlock bonus features, including the elusive Book of Dead. 

 

Among Us (2018) 

Genre: Social Deduction

Developer: Innersloth

Available on: Steam, iOS, Android

Our next title became a major hit during 2020 and it hasn’t lost its appeal since. It’s a great game to play with friends and loved ones, so it’s just the ticket for those summer parties you’ve got lined up. Among Us pits everyone against each other in a game of deception and teamwork set in outer space. Crewmates need to complete tasks and identify the imposter among them, but the whole time the imposter is sabotaging the ship. With its focus on social interaction, you’ll also ensure that no one feels left out during gameplay. 

 

Stardew Valley (2016)

Genre: Farm Life Sim 

Developer: ConcernedApe

Available on: Steam, iOS, Android

The perfect digital antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern life, Stardew Valley offers a relaxing and immersive gameplay experience that you can take entirely at your own pace. 

Step into the shoes of a weary city slicker who inherits a dilapidated farm in the countryside and quickly comes to realise the charm of rural life. A farming simulation game, you’ll raise animals, plant and harvest crops, and build relationships with the very quirky inhabitants of Pelican Town. 

 

Castle Crashers (2012)

Genre: Action, Beat ’em up

Developer: The Behemoth

The side-scrolling Castle Crashers follows the adventures of four knights as they embark on a quest to rescue princesses, defeat evil wizards, and save the kingdom from destruction. You’ll be tasked with battling hordes of enemies and collecting loot to upgrade your characters, all the while completing tasks to unlock devastating monster-bashing combos. 

Yes, this game ticks all the classic beat ‘em up boxes, but it does so in such a humorous and fast-paced way that it’s a great title to dip in and out of with your friends. Its simple controls and cooperative gameplay, meanwhile, make it easy for the whole gang to jump in.