5 Best “Games Within Games” That Distract You From The Plot

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Many of the most engaging parts of video games are the smaller, self-contained mini-games they offer. These bite-sized experiences can be incredibly absorbing, especially when they’re detailed and well-designed, letting you lose yourself in a unique challenge within the larger game. They can be so enjoyable that they almost feel like complete games on their own, and sometimes even inspire entirely new titles.

Mini-games can range from simple to surprisingly detailed, sometimes feeling like completely separate experiences from the main game. Though not always groundbreaking, the best ones are engaging on their own – some even feel like fully developed games. These little diversions can serve as fun breaks, hidden surprises, or even become a memorable part of a game, making the game world feel richer and more realistic.

5. Wolfstone 3D (Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus)

A fun hidden feature in Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus lets players discover an arcade game called “Wolfstone 3-D” within Club Kreisau. This game is essentially a modernized version of the original Wolfenstein 3D from 1992, a groundbreaking first-person shooter that helped define the genre, alongside games like Doom. Notably, the arcade game introduced William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, the main character, and paved the way for later games in the series, such as The New Colossus.

Wolfstone essentially lets you play the original Wolfenstein 3D inside The New Colossus, offering two games in one. The only real difference is the name – characters even joke about how realistic the older graphics look! This throwback section adds several hours of gameplay, honoring the series’ roots while showcasing how much it has evolved from the groundbreaking original to Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus.

4. Machine Strike (Horizon: Forbidden West)

In Horizon: Forbidden West, players are constantly on the move, facing robotic and human enemies in large-scale battles. The expansive world offers a focused challenge through Machine Strike, a strategy mini-game reminiscent of games like Stratego or Chess. In Machine Strike, two players command unique units, aiming to defeat their opponent’s forces and collect more powerful pieces to strengthen their own army.

Like the main game, Horizon: Forbidden West, this mini-game is incredibly addictive. A key part of success is finding skilled opponents and claiming their best pieces. Machine Strike also features beautiful artwork of the game’s robotic creatures and surprisingly complex gameplay. Strategic thinking is essential to win, similar to games like XCOM or Starcraft.

Machine Strike is a thrilling game because each machine has unique strengths and weaknesses, and facing off against a new opponent with an unfamiliar machine is always a challenge. The game board also changes with each match, adding even more variety to the experience. You’ll find Machine Strike to be a fun diversion from the main story in Horizon: Forbidden West.

3. Queen’s Blood (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)

Queen’s Blood is a card game featured in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that’s surprisingly deep and complex. Players compete to gain more power than their opponent across a 3×5 grid, filling lanes with cards. Winning requires careful deck building, as each card has unique abilities that can change the course of a match. It’s a game with a lot of strategic potential.

Queen’s Blood is a captivating card game within Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth where players strategically place pieces on the board based on the cards they play. Building a winning deck can be just as time-consuming and rewarding as exploring the game’s world or perfecting its combat system, ultimately making Queen’s Blood one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game for skilled players.

2. Dondoko Island (Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth)

Okay, so I’m really into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and like most Yakuza games, it’s packed with little mini-games to take a break from the main story. But honestly, the Dondoko Island stuff in this game is huge. It’s like they took an *Animal Crossingstyle game and crammed it right into this already massive RPG. Basically, you end up managing this remote island resort, and a big part of the game is building it up and turning it into a total paradise. It’s way bigger than anything I’ve seen in the series before!

Dondoko Island plays a lot like the popular Animal Crossing games. You’ll spend your time gathering resources, cleaning up the island, and building things to make it thrive. You can invite guests and earn money to expand and improve Dondoko Island. However, it’s easy to get lost in renovating the island when you remember that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is already a massive RPG with tons of content to enjoy.

1. Gwent (The Witcher 3)

Many gamers immediately think of Gwent when discussing fantastic games within games. Originally a mini-game in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Gwent became so popular it was released as a standalone game and even spawned its own successful sequel. Like Queen’s Blood, Gwent is a complex card game where players strategically combine cards to build powerful decks and outplay their opponents.

In Gwent, the goal is to win more points than your opponent in at least two out of three rounds. Players take turns playing cards to score points, and can choose to pass when they’re happy with their hand. The game features five different factions, each with its own unique style of play, leading to varied strategies. You can try unlocking powerful leaders, using weather effects, or building strong card combinations – Gwent offers lots of ways to keep each match engaging.

It’s hard to fully capture how complex and engaging Gwent is in just a few words. It’s one of the rare mini-games that’s become popular on its own, extending far beyond its original role within The Witcher 3. The fact that Gwent has a dedicated fanbase outside the main game shows how effective a well-designed mini-game can be when thoughtfully added to a larger title to give players more options.

What’s your favorite little game inside a bigger game? Share your thoughts in the comments or discuss it on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-02 17:18