The World's Longest Video Games: Can You Conquer Them?

Hey gamers, ever wondered which games demand the most time to complete? We're diving deep into the sprawling worlds of video games to uncover the longest games out there. Prepare yourselves, because we're talking about titles that could consume weeks, months, or even years of your life! This isn't just about finishing a game; it's about the ultimate test of endurance, dedication, and a serious love for gaming. So, buckle up, grab your snacks, and let's explore the epic journeys that await.

Unveiling the Giants: Defining 'Longest' in Gaming

Before we dive into the behemoths, let's clarify what we mean by the 'longest'. This isn't just about the main story; we're talking about a complete experience. That means main quests, side quests, optional content, and everything in between. We're looking at games where you can easily sink hundreds of hours, maybe even thousands, to experience everything they offer. This includes games with massive open worlds packed with content, RPGs with extensive leveling systems and grinding, and MMOs with a constant stream of updates and new activities. The goal here is to find the games that present the most formidable challenge to complete 100%. Therefore, the focus is on a single-player experience with a clear endpoint, and all the content must be experienced. We're not necessarily considering games that can be played infinitely.

This also means excluding games that rely heavily on multiplayer interactions for their core gameplay loop or whose content is primarily community-driven. While games like Fortnite and World of Warcraft offer endless hours of gameplay, they aren't the primary focus here. We're interested in titles where a dedicated solo player can experience the ultimate game completion. The beauty of these long games lies in the journey, the world-building, and the stories they tell. These are games where you're not just playing; you're living.

RPG Titans: When Story and Scale Collide

Many of the longest games fall into the RPG genre, and for good reason. RPGs are built for exploration, character development, and intricate storytelling, often offering vast worlds to get lost in. Let's look at some absolute RPG giants that will test your dedication.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Including all DLCs and side quests)

Skyrim is a beloved classic for a reason. Its massive open world, filled with quests, dragons, and endless possibilities, keeps players hooked for hundreds of hours. From the main questline to the numerous factions, side quests, and crafting systems, you can easily spend over 200 hours in Skyrim without even scratching the surface. With all the DLCs installed, the playtime extends even further. This game offers incredible depth and is a testament to the power of open-world design.

The game's ability to pull you in is legendary; from exploring dungeons to discovering the perfect character build, Skyrim has a unique ability to make you completely lose yourself in its world. The modding community further extends Skyrim's lifespan. With mods, you can add new quests, locations, and gameplay mechanics, meaning the number of hours you could spend is virtually infinite.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Including all DLCs and side quests)

The Witcher 3 is known for its incredible narrative and dense world. The sheer amount of quests, side stories, and exploration possibilities make it a prime candidate for a long gaming experience. Completing the main story plus all side quests and DLC content, such as Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, can easily take you over 200 hours. The game is packed with memorable characters and a world that feels incredibly alive. You'll find yourself lost in the detailed quests and immersive stories.

The game's rich world and detailed quests can easily occupy 200 hours of your time. The Witcher 3 isn't just about the main storyline. It's about exploring every nook and cranny, discovering hidden treasures, and becoming immersed in the politics and social events of its intricate world.

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG with a captivating story, stylish presentation, and a turn-based battle system. The original Persona 5 was already a long game, but Royal adds a whole new semester and extra content that extends the playtime significantly. To complete all the content and experience everything Persona 5 Royal has to offer, you can expect to spend well over 100 hours. The game's social sim aspects and relationship-building can also add more hours to your playtime. You'll spend countless hours building relationships, exploring dungeons, and fighting through engaging battles.

Persona 5 Royal stands out by skillfully blending its narrative, combat, and social elements, creating a gameplay loop that's not only fun but also very deep. You need to balance your time between school, building social links, and exploring the mysterious Metaverse to succeed.

The MMO Borderline: Games That Push the Limit

MMOs are designed to keep you playing forever. However, some have a defined endpoint for a solo player, making them eligible for this list. Let's see some of them.

Final Fantasy XIV (Including all expansions and solo content)

Final Fantasy XIV is a modern-day MMO that's praised for its rich story and the ability to experience a large portion of the game solo. While the main focus is multiplayer, there is a wealth of single-player content. To experience everything, including all expansions, side quests, and solo-able content, you could be spending more than 500 hours. This is especially true if you are a completionist who likes to explore every facet of the game. Final Fantasy XIV stands out with its intricate storylines, varied classes, and the commitment of the developers to keep the game fresh with regular updates.

With Final Fantasy XIV, you could spend hundreds of hours exploring the game's world. This is especially true if you are a completionist and enjoy exploring every facet of the game. Final Fantasy XIV continues to grow, so this number will only increase over time.

Grinding for Glory: Games Focused on Repetition and Completion

Some games are designed with grind and completion in mind. These titles prioritize offering the player an incredible quantity of content.

Monster Hunter: World (Including all expansions)

Monster Hunter: World offers a gameplay loop that is all about hunting massive monsters, gathering resources, crafting gear, and repeating the process. With the Iceborne expansion, the number of hunts, gear options, and challenges has significantly increased. To truly master every weapon, hunt every monster, and craft every piece of gear, you're likely to spend well over 500 hours, especially if you enjoy the cooperative multiplayer aspects. The game's emphasis on crafting and customization, plus the strategic depth of the battles, ensures you always have something to do.

Mastering all the weapons and building the perfect set of armor can take hundreds of hours, making Monster Hunter: World a rewarding but time-consuming experience.

Disgaea Series

The Disgaea series is famous for its absurd levels of grinding and character customization. These strategy RPGs often involve leveling characters to incredibly high levels, experimenting with different builds, and optimizing everything. While the main stories aren't the longest, the post-game content and the desire to hit the level cap can push completion times well over 200 hours per game. If you're into the nitty-gritty of strategy and optimization, Disgaea is a fantastic choice.

The depth of character customization and the sheer number of options in Disgaea allow for endless replayability. For those who enjoy min-maxing and seeing those numbers go up, the Disgaea series is a paradise.

The Unofficial Champions: Other Contenders

Here are some other notable games that often find themselves mentioned in the 'longest games' conversation, even if the exact completion time varies greatly.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a relaxing life simulation game that thrives on a steady stream of content updates and daily activities. Although there is no 'end' to the game, the time spent collecting items, building your island, and participating in seasonal events can easily add up to hundreds or even thousands of hours. The game's ongoing nature and lack of a traditional story make it a unique entry.

If you love customization and a chill experience, the amount of time you spend in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is almost infinite.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V offers a large open world filled with missions, side activities, and exploration. While the main story might not take an incredibly long time, the depth of content in the game is huge. If you want to finish the entire game, including all side activities, collectibles, and online content, it could easily take you over 100 hours. The single-player experience is full of details and possibilities, making it a great title to spend a lot of time on.

Grand Theft Auto V offers you the freedom to do whatever you want. Whether you're playing the story or roaming the city, you're guaranteed to get countless hours of fun.

Final Thoughts: The Joy of the Long Game

So, why do we dedicate so much time to these games? Because they offer something special. They provide a sense of accomplishment, a deep connection to the virtual worlds, and a chance to experience amazing stories. Whether it's the thrill of discovering new areas, the satisfaction of leveling up a character, or the camaraderie of playing with friends, the longest video games are a testament to the power of the medium. Therefore, the next time you're looking for a game that will keep you busy for a while, consider one of these giants. Just be prepared to commit. Happy gaming!