Longest Video Game: How Long To 100% Complete?

Alright, gamers, let's dive into the fascinating world of epic video game adventures! We're talking about those sprawling, seemingly endless games that can swallow your entire life – in the best way possible, of course. So, the question on everyone's mind is: what is the absolute longest video game out there? It's a tricky question because 'long' can mean different things to different people. Are we talking about the main storyline? Completing every side quest? Or achieving 100% completion, including all achievements and hidden content? Each of these factors dramatically changes the answer, making it essential to specify what we mean by "longest".

When considering the sheer scale of video games, we must consider factors beyond just the main storyline. Many games offer extensive open worlds, filled with countless side quests, collectibles, and activities. These additional elements can add hundreds of hours to the gameplay experience. For example, games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are renowned not only for their engaging main narratives but also for their vast and intricate side content. Players can easily spend hundreds of hours exploring these worlds, completing side quests, and discovering hidden secrets. The degree to which a player engages with this optional content significantly affects the total playtime. Moreover, the availability of downloadable content (DLC) and expansions can further extend the lifespan of a game, providing players with new storylines, characters, and regions to explore. Some games also feature dynamic and emergent gameplay elements that contribute to their longevity. For instance, games with robust crafting systems or player-driven economies can provide ongoing opportunities for engagement, as players experiment with different strategies, create unique items, and interact with the game world in meaningful ways.

Ultimately, determining the longest video game depends on individual playstyles and preferences. Some players may be content to complete the main storyline and move on to the next game, while others may feel compelled to explore every nook and cranny of the game world and achieve 100% completion. Therefore, the answer to the question of the longest video game is subjective and depends on how each player defines "long." So, gear up, prepare for the long haul, and get ready to lose yourself in some truly massive gaming experiences!

Games with Exceptionally Long Completion Times

Okay, so we've established that 'longest' is subjective, but let's get down to brass tacks and talk about some specific games known for their ridiculously long completion times. These aren't your weekend-afternoon kind of games; we're talking about titles that demand serious dedication and a whole lot of free time. When we look at the most time-consuming video games, several titles stand out due to their expansive worlds, complex storylines, and a myriad of side activities. These games often provide players with hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of content, ranging from intricate main quests to engaging side missions and hidden collectibles. Games in the role-playing (RPG) genre, such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, are particularly well-known for their extensive completion times, offering players vast open worlds to explore, numerous character customization options, and branching storylines that can significantly impact the gameplay experience. Similarly, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV are designed to be played indefinitely, with regular content updates, challenging endgame activities, and a strong emphasis on social interaction. These games provide players with an endless stream of new goals and objectives, ensuring that they can remain engaged for years.

Beyond RPGs and MMORPGs, other genres also offer titles with exceptionally long completion times. Simulation games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator allow players to immerse themselves in realistic environments and pursue various careers, offering virtually limitless gameplay possibilities. Strategy games like Civilization and Crusader Kings provide players with deep strategic options and complex decision-making, allowing for countless playthroughs with varying outcomes. Additionally, some action-adventure games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Red Dead Redemption 2 offer expansive open worlds filled with numerous side quests, collectibles, and activities that can significantly extend the completion time.

Here are a few examples:

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: While the main story can be completed in a reasonable amount of time, achieving 100% completion, including all quests, achievements, and exploration, can easily take hundreds of hours. This is a true test of dedication, folks!
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Similar to Skyrim, The Witcher 3 boasts a massive open world with tons of side quests, monster contracts, and hidden locations. Completing everything the game has to offer can take well over 100 hours, and that's before you even touch the DLC!
• Red Dead Redemption 2: Rockstar Games are known for their detailed open worlds, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is no exception. With a sprawling story, numerous side activities, and a vast wilderness to explore, achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 150 hours. Be prepared to saddle up for the long haul!
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla: This Viking epic is absolutely massive. The main story is already quite lengthy, but add in all the world events, collectibles, and territory control, and you're looking at a completion time of well over 100 hours. Time to sharpen your axe and raid some monasteries!

These are just a few examples, of course. Many other games could easily make this list, depending on your definition of 'completion' and your personal play style. But one thing is for sure: these games offer incredible value for your money, providing countless hours of entertainment and exploration.

The Ever-Expanding World of MMORPGs

Now, let's talk about a genre that's practically designed to be endlessly long: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). These games are built around persistent online worlds, where players can interact with each other, complete quests, and build their characters over a long period. What makes MMORPG video games so unique is their continuous evolution through updates and expansions, ensuring a never-ending stream of content for players to explore. The development teams behind these games regularly introduce new storylines, characters, regions, and gameplay mechanics, keeping the player base engaged and invested in the game world. This constant cycle of content creation and consumption ensures that MMORPGs can provide a virtually limitless experience for dedicated players. Moreover, the social aspect of MMORPGs plays a crucial role in their longevity. Players form guilds, participate in group activities, and develop lasting friendships with other players, creating a sense of community that encourages them to return to the game day after day.

Beyond the structured content, MMORPGs also offer emergent gameplay opportunities that contribute to their long-term appeal. Players can engage in player-versus-player (PvP) combat, participate in crafting and trading, and even create their own in-game events and activities. This freedom and flexibility allow players to shape their own experiences and find new ways to engage with the game world. The dynamic nature of MMORPGs ensures that there is always something new to discover and something to strive for, making them incredibly addictive and time-consuming. Furthermore, the presence of endgame content, such as raids, dungeons, and challenging boss encounters, provides players with ongoing goals to work towards, even after they have completed the main storyline. The sense of progression and accomplishment that comes from mastering these difficult challenges keeps players motivated and invested in the game for the long haul.

Titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online are notorious for their ability to suck players in for years on end. These games don't really have an 'end' in the traditional sense. There's always new content to experience, new levels to grind, and new gear to acquire. If you're looking for a game that can truly become a lifestyle, an MMORPG might be right up your alley.

Here's why MMORPGs are so incredibly long:

• Constant Updates: Developers are always adding new content, keeping the game fresh and engaging.
• Grinding: Leveling up and acquiring powerful gear can take a lot of time and effort.
• Social Interaction: The social aspect of MMORPGs can be incredibly addictive. You'll make friends, join guilds, and participate in group activities, all of which keep you coming back for more.
• Endgame Content: Once you reach the level cap, there's still plenty to do, such as raiding, dungeons, and PvP.

So, if you're looking for a game that can truly consume your life, an MMORPG is a great option. Just be prepared to say goodbye to your free time!

Simulation Games: The Endless Sandbox

Another genre that offers potentially infinite playtime is simulation games. These games allow you to build, manage, and control virtual worlds, and the possibilities are often limited only by your imagination. Simulation video games excel at providing players with open-ended experiences and allowing them to create their own unique stories within the game world. Unlike games with a fixed narrative or defined objectives, simulation games often focus on providing players with the tools and resources to shape their environment and achieve their own personal goals. This freedom and flexibility can lead to countless hours of experimentation, discovery, and creative expression, making simulation games incredibly engaging and rewarding for players who enjoy sandbox-style gameplay.

One of the key features of simulation games is their ability to mimic real-world systems and processes, allowing players to learn about and interact with complex concepts in a safe and controlled environment. For example, city-building simulations like Cities: Skylines allow players to design and manage their own virtual cities, learning about urban planning, resource management, and infrastructure development in the process. Similarly, flight simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator provide players with a realistic and immersive experience of flying an aircraft, teaching them about aerodynamics, navigation, and aviation procedures. This educational aspect of simulation games can make them both entertaining and informative, appealing to players of all ages and backgrounds. Moreover, simulation games often have a strong modding community, with players creating and sharing custom content, tools, and modifications that can significantly enhance the gameplay experience. This community-driven approach to content creation ensures that simulation games remain fresh and engaging for years to come, as players constantly discover new ways to play and interact with the game world.

Games like Minecraft, SimCity, and Microsoft Flight Simulator can be played forever. There's no 'end' goal, and you can always find new things to build, explore, or achieve. The massive playtime on simulation games stems from the flexibility they offer. If you're a creative type who loves to tinker and experiment, simulation games are a perfect fit. Here's why simulation games can be so endlessly long:

• Open-Ended Gameplay: There's no set path or objective. You're free to do whatever you want.
• Creative Freedom: You can build, design, and manage your own virtual world.
• Modding: Many simulation games have active modding communities, which create new content and features.
• Constant Updates: Developers are always adding new content and features, keeping the game fresh and engaging.

If you're looking for a game that can provide endless hours of entertainment and creative expression, a simulation game is a great choice. Just be prepared to lose yourself in your virtual world!

So, What's the Real Answer?

Okay, after all that, you're probably still wondering: what is the absolute longest video game? The truth is, there's no definitive answer. It depends entirely on your definition of 'long' and your personal play style. However, games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Red Dead Redemption 2, and various MMORPGs and simulation games are all contenders for the title. Ultimately, the longest video game is the one that you enjoy playing the most, regardless of how many hours it takes to complete. So, grab your controller, settle in for the long haul, and get ready to embark on an epic gaming adventure! Happy gaming, folks!