Longest Game Ever: How Long To 100% Complete?

by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Hey gamers! Ever wondered what the absolute longest game ever made is? We're talking about those games that just keep going and going, the ones that you can sink hundreds, even thousands, of hours into. It's a question that comes up a lot, and the answer isn't always straightforward. What makes a game "long" anyway? Is it the main story, side quests, completionist goals, or something else entirely? Let's dive into the world of epic, never-ending games and find out which ones truly take the crown.

Defining "Longest Game"

Before we start throwing out titles, let's define what we mean by "longest game." It's not just about the main storyline, guys. A game can be long for a few different reasons:

  • Main Story Length: This is the most obvious one. How many hours does it take to complete the main questline? Some games have sprawling narratives that take dozens of hours to finish.
  • Side Quests and Content: Many games pad out their playtime with tons of optional side quests, challenges, and activities. These can add dozens or even hundreds of hours to the total playtime.
  • Completionist Goals: For some players, it's not enough to just beat the game. They want to collect every item, unlock every achievement, and see everything the game has to offer. This can add a significant amount of time.
  • Procedural Generation and Replayability: Games with procedurally generated content or emergent gameplay can theoretically go on forever. There's always something new to discover, even after hundreds of hours.
  • Multiplayer and Online Elements: Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) are designed to be played indefinitely. There's always new content, events, and challenges to keep players engaged.

Considering all these factors, figuring out the absolute longest game becomes a complex task.

Contenders for the Longest Game Title

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some of the top contenders for the title of "Longest Game Ever Made," along with estimates of how long they take to complete:

1. Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous is a massively multiplayer space simulation game that allows players to explore a 1:1 scale model of the Milky Way galaxy. That's right, the entire Milky Way! The sheer scale of the game is mind-boggling, and there's an almost infinite amount of things to do.

  • Main Gameplay: While Elite Dangerous doesn't have a traditional "story mode," you can easily spend hundreds of hours trading, exploring, fighting, and role-playing in the game's vast universe. Many players set their own goals, such as becoming a wealthy trader, a skilled combat pilot, or a renowned explorer.
  • Completionist Goals: To see everything that Elite Dangerous has to offer, you'd need to visit all of the star systems, unlock all of the ships and upgrades, and master all of the game's various professions. This would take literally thousands of hours.
  • Estimated Completion Time: Realistically, you could spend thousands of hours playing Elite Dangerous and still not see everything. Some players have been playing for years and are still discovering new things.

2. No Man's Sky

Speaking of space exploration, No Man's Sky is another strong contender. This game features a procedurally generated universe with over 18 quintillion planets to explore. While the game had a rocky launch, it has been significantly improved over the years with numerous updates and expansions.

  • Main Story: No Man's Sky does have a main storyline that can be completed in around 30-40 hours. However, this is just a tiny fraction of the game's overall content.
  • Exploration and Discovery: The real draw of No Man's Sky is the exploration and discovery. You can spend countless hours scanning planets, discovering new creatures, building bases, and trading resources. The sheer variety of environments and creatures is astounding.
  • Completionist Goals: To fully complete No Man's Sky, you'd need to visit a significant number of planets, catalogue a vast number of creatures, and unlock all of the game's blueprints and technologies. This could easily take hundreds or even thousands of hours.

3. Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to build, explore, and survive in a procedurally generated world. The game has no real end, and players are free to do whatever they want. This makes it a potentially endless game.

  • Main Gameplay: While Minecraft doesn't have a traditional storyline, you can set your own goals, such as building a massive castle, exploring the Nether, or defeating the Ender Dragon. These goals can take a significant amount of time to achieve.
  • Creative Mode: In Creative Mode, players have unlimited resources and can build anything they can imagine. This mode is popular with players who enjoy creating elaborate structures and contraptions.
  • Survival Mode: In Survival Mode, players must gather resources, build shelters, and defend themselves against monsters. This mode is more challenging and requires more time and effort.
  • Estimated Completion Time: Since Minecraft is an open-ended game, it's impossible to truly "complete" it. However, you could easily spend hundreds or thousands of hours playing the game and still find new things to do.

4. The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the world of Tamriel. With a vast world to explore, countless quests to complete, and a constantly evolving storyline, ESO can keep players engaged for years.

  • Main Storyline: The main storyline of ESO is quite extensive and can take dozens of hours to complete. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
  • Side Quests and Content: ESO is packed with side quests, dungeons, trials, and other activities. There's always something new to do, and the game is constantly being updated with new content.
  • Character Progression: ESO features a deep character progression system that allows players to customize their characters and develop their skills. Leveling up your character and mastering all of the game's skills can take a significant amount of time.
  • Estimated Completion Time: To fully complete The Elder Scrolls Online, you'd need to complete all of the quests, explore all of the zones, and master all of the classes and skills. This would likely take thousands of hours.

5. Albion Online

Albion Online is a sandbox MMORPG with a player-driven economy. The game features a vast open world, a complex crafting system, and intense player-versus-player combat.

  • Sandbox Gameplay: Albion Online is a true sandbox game, meaning that players have a lot of freedom to do what they want. You can become a farmer, a crafter, a trader, a warrior, or anything else you can imagine.
  • Player-Driven Economy: The economy of Albion Online is entirely driven by players. Players gather resources, craft items, and trade with each other. This creates a dynamic and ever-changing market.
  • Full Loot PvP: Albion Online features full loot player-versus-player combat. This means that if you die in a PvP zone, you'll lose all of your gear. This makes PvP combat very risky, but also very rewarding.
  • Estimated Completion Time: Since Albion Online is a sandbox game with a player-driven economy, it's impossible to truly "complete" it. However, you could easily spend thousands of hours playing the game and still find new challenges and opportunities.

The Verdict: Which Game is Truly the Longest?

So, which game is truly the longest ever made? It's tough to say definitively. Games like Elite Dangerous, No Man's Sky, and Minecraft offer nearly endless possibilities due to their procedural generation and sandbox gameplay. MMORPGs like The Elder Scrolls Online and Albion Online are designed to be played indefinitely, with new content and challenges constantly being added.

Ultimately, the longest game is subjective and depends on your personal playstyle and goals. If you're a completionist who wants to see everything a game has to offer, then an MMORPG or a massive open-world game might be the best choice. If you prefer a more open-ended experience with endless possibilities, then a sandbox game like Minecraft could be a better fit.

No matter which game you choose, be prepared to invest a significant amount of time. These games are not for the faint of heart, but they offer incredibly rewarding experiences for those who are willing to commit.

Happy gaming, guys! And remember, it's not just about the length of the game, but the journey and the memories you make along the way.