I do love my large campaign games: Gloomhaven, Oathsworn, Tanares Adventures, etc.
But, man, sometimes it can get to be a slog getting through the entire campaign. I find myself wishing for campaign arcs that are maybe 10-15 games. I think I’d rather have 2-3 self contained arcs like that than one 40 mission long campaign.
Does anyone know of crawlers like that split things into smaller campaigns like that?
The newest Crossroads game from Jerry Hawthorn, Wandering Galaxy, has a handful of shorter campaigns. It’s amazing. Also, the last Crossroads games Freelancers contains a number of smaller campaigns. Both are fantastic.
I’d also look at Dungeons of Doria - it has a whole bunch of smaller campaigns.
Man, when I see “short campaigns” I think 3-4 scenarios. I can’t even get started on those monster campaign games. A game must be cool as heck to motivate me like that. I fell off Isofarian Guard and Tanares Adventures because the writing wasn’t great, and Middara I’ve played half of the first scenario because I don’t feel like I’m even playing my own character. Jaws of the Lion is open but unplayed, Sleeping Gods still in plastic, and Gloomhaven’s still in its shipping box. Oathsworn is unbought because I haven’t finished the above campaigns!!!
Sleeping Gods is definitely a short Campaign. Three sessions tops.
Descent 2nd and Imperial Assault digital campaigns are all 5-9 sessions each depending on how many side quests you do. Each scenario is 1hr - 130. Gascony’s Legacy is kind of a crawler and each campaign is 3-4 sessions. Skull Tales: Full Sail has around five or so four scenario long campaigns.
While not a dungeon crawler, more of a “move around the map and encounter bad guys in an overworld” kind of game (if you’re looking for grid based tactical positioning fights you won’t find that in this game) I’d throw Dungeon Degenerates hat in the ring. The short campaigns are part of what I love about it. There is a mission book, and branching paths to take as you play the campaign. You usually finish in something like 5 play sessions. I’ve finished one in 3.
The fun comes from replaying the game and choosing different mission paths. I kind of role play my characters (you pick from a bunch of odd ball classes) would do. I usually leave it set up and play once a night for 4 nights and finish (or die trying, usually die lol)
Just watch Daniels video on it. It’ll explain it better then I can if you’re not already aware of the game.
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era is designed to run for a three-arc campaign, each session around 4-5 hours of play once you are familiar with the rules. The system has (currently) six regions with nine quests in each, and each run has a two such quests plus an end-arc section based on the region.
Game play includes travelling around an over-world map with random encounters and town locations (plus some signature dungeons). Combat involves tactical battling on a hex map which is also procedurally generated in ‘delve’ encounters.
The system is designed to be endlessly replayable. Each campaign arc is stand-alone.
You can play solo or co-op with up to four players / PCs.
Might be worth looking into?
Bloodborn campaigns are three sessions. Dark Souls is 3 as well I think. WHQ Silver Tower is around 10. Heroquest is 13ish but goes by fast compared to many other games.