Longest Video Game: How Much Time To Beat It?

by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Hey gamers! Ever wondered what video game takes the absolute longest to beat? We're diving deep into the world of massive video games that demand not just your skill, but also a serious chunk of your life. Forget those weekend playthroughs; we're talking hundreds, even thousands, of hours! So, grab your energy drinks, adjust your gaming chair, and let’s explore the games that offer seemingly endless gameplay.

What Makes a Game Long?

Before we get to the titles, let's break down what makes a game a true time sink. It's not just about the main storyline, guys. Several factors contribute to a game's overall length:

  • Main Story Length: This is the core narrative. Games with sprawling stories, multiple acts, and tons of cutscenes naturally take longer to complete. Think of RPGs with intricate plots and character development.
  • Side Quests and Activities: These are optional missions and tasks that flesh out the game world. A game with tons of side quests can easily double or triple its playtime. Open-world games are notorious for this!
  • Exploration: How much time do you spend just wandering around? Games with vast, detailed environments encourage exploration, adding hours as you uncover secrets and hidden areas. The sense of discovery is a major draw for many players.
  • Grinding: Some games require repetitive tasks to level up your character or acquire resources. This can be a major time commitment, especially in MMOs or RPGs with challenging difficulty curves. Many players find grinding meditative, while others see it as a chore.
  • Multiplayer Elements: Games with extensive multiplayer modes can be virtually endless. Whether it's competitive matches, cooperative raids, or social interactions, multiplayer adds a whole new dimension to playtime. These games evolve constantly with updates and new content.
  • Difficulty: A challenging game can significantly increase playtime as you retry sections and learn enemy patterns. Some games are designed to be brutally difficult, requiring patience and perseverance.

The Titans of Time: Games That Demand Your Dedication

Alright, let's get to the main event: the games that are known for their extreme length. These aren't your average weekend adventures; they're marathon gaming experiences.

1. EVE Online

EVE Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in space, and it's legendary for its sheer scale and complexity. There is no real 'end' in EVE. Players engage in trading, piracy, mining, manufacturing, and epic space battles. The game's player-driven economy and political landscape create a dynamic and ever-changing world.

  • Why it's so long: EVE Online is a sandbox game, meaning there's no prescribed path. Players set their own goals, whether it's becoming a wealthy industrialist, a feared pirate, or a powerful fleet commander. The skills system is also time-based, meaning it takes real-world time to train your character, even when you're not playing. Some skills can take months to train to the highest level.
  • Average Playtime: It's impossible to put an exact number on it, but many dedicated players have spent thousands upon thousands of hours in EVE. Some have been playing for over a decade!

2. The Elder Scrolls Series (Especially Skyrim and Oblivion)

Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls series is renowned for its vast open worlds and endless quests. Skyrim and Oblivion are particularly notable for their replayability and the sheer amount of content they offer. Mods can also extend these games indefinitely.

  • Why they're so long: The main storylines are substantial, but the real time sink comes from exploring the world, completing side quests, joining guilds, and crafting. You can easily spend hundreds of hours without even touching the main quest. The freedom to create your own character and playstyle also adds to the replayability.
  • Average Playtime: Completing the main story of Skyrim might take around 30-40 hours, but a completionist playthrough can easily exceed 200 hours. With mods, the possibilities are endless.

3. Fallout Series (Especially Fallout 4 and Fallout: New Vegas)

Similar to The Elder Scrolls, the Fallout series offers vast open worlds filled with quests, characters, and secrets. The post-apocalyptic setting adds a unique flavor to the exploration and survival elements.

  • Why they're so long: The main stories are engaging, but the real draw is the freedom to explore the wasteland, interact with factions, and build settlements. Fallout 4's settlement building system, in particular, can be a major time sink.
  • Average Playtime: Completing the main story of Fallout 4 might take around 30 hours, but a completionist run, including all the DLC, can easily take over 100 hours. Some players spend hundreds of hours building elaborate settlements.

4. Crusader Kings III

Crusader Kings III is a grand strategy game where you control a medieval dynasty. It's a game of politics, intrigue, warfare, and dynastic management. You guide your family through generations, making alliances, plotting assassinations, and expanding your realm.

  • Why it's so long: The game is designed to be played for hundreds of years within the game's timeline. Each playthrough is unique, with different characters, events, and challenges. The complexity of the game's systems and the depth of its historical simulation make it incredibly engaging.
  • Average Playtime: A single campaign can easily take 100+ hours, and many players have spent thousands of hours exploring different dynasties and scenarios.

5. Football Manager Series

The Football Manager series is a detailed sports management simulation where you take control of a football (soccer) team. You manage everything from tactics and training to player transfers and finances. The goal is to lead your team to glory, winning championships and building a dynasty.

  • Why it's so long: Each season takes a significant amount of time to play through, and a successful manager might play for decades within the game's timeline. The depth of the simulation and the constant challenges of managing a team make it incredibly addictive.
  • Average Playtime: A single season can take dozens of hours, and a long-term save can easily reach hundreds or even thousands of hours.

6. Monster Hunter World/Rise

The Monster Hunter series is known for its challenging combat and addictive loop of hunting, crafting, and upgrading. Monster Hunter World and Rise are particularly popular entries, offering vast worlds to explore and a huge variety of monsters to hunt.

  • Why they're so long: The main story is substantial, but the real time sink comes from hunting all the different monsters, crafting all the different weapons and armor, and mastering the game's complex combat system. The endgame content, including challenging quests and powerful monsters, can keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
  • Average Playtime: Completing the main story might take around 50 hours, but a completionist run, including all the optional quests and challenging monsters, can easily take over 200 hours.

7. Civilization Series

The Civilization series is a turn-based strategy game where you guide a civilization from the ancient era to the space age. You manage your cities, research technologies, build an army, and engage in diplomacy with other civilizations. The goal is to become the dominant civilization on the planet.

  • Why it's so long: Each game can take dozens of hours to complete, and the series offers endless replayability with different civilizations, maps, and difficulty levels. The game's complex systems and the strategic depth make it incredibly engaging.
  • Average Playtime: A single game can take 40+ hours, and many players have spent hundreds or even thousands of hours exploring different civilizations and strategies.

Honorable Mentions

Of course, there are plenty of other games that can eat up your time. Here are a few honorable mentions:

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons: A relaxing life simulation game that can be played for hundreds of hours.
  • Stardew Valley: A charming farming simulator with a surprising amount of depth.
  • Path of Exile: A free-to-play action RPG with a complex character building system and endless endgame content.
  • Minecraft: A sandbox game with limitless possibilities for creativity and exploration.

The Endless Game

So, what video game takes the longest to beat? It really depends on your definition of 'beat.' Some games, like EVE Online, are designed to be played indefinitely. Others, like Skyrim or Fallout, offer so much content that you could spend hundreds of hours exploring every nook and cranny. Ultimately, the longest video game is the one that you enjoy playing the most, the one that keeps you coming back for more, and the one that creates memories that last a lifetime. Happy gaming, guys!