Marine Raider

Marine Raider is one of the earliest titles under the Hosted Games label. At 43k words, it was substantially longer than a good number of games at the time, although it is pretty short by today's standards. Playtime is quick, and you could probably get through this in ten minutes or so, depending on your choices and reading speed.

You play as a junior officer and platoon commander, leading a small force of marines. With the enemy having the advantage in numbers, skill and stealth will be key to balancing the odds.

The writing is a bit rough compared to later titles by the author. Still, this one is fun. There are no stats in this game, but you will need need to manage decisions carefully, reading the prose and trying to work out the benefits and potential costs of digging in to fight, charging in or beating a hasty retreat. There are plenty of ways it can work out, from pulling out once you have secured some intel to staying behind and trying to fight as much of the enemy as you can. As far as a single playthrough goes, the game is short, but does have a good bit of content if you are willing to come back and try other options.

It is perhaps outclassed today by really long and heavy titles in the HG library, but is still good for some fun.