Top Longest Video Games In The World: Hours Of Gameplay

Hey guys! Ever wondered which video games could keep you glued to your screen for days, even weeks? Well, you're in for a treat! We're diving deep into the longest video games out there. These aren't your average weekend playthroughs; we're talking about games that offer hundreds, even thousands, of hours of gameplay. So, buckle up, grab your favorite snacks, and let's explore these behemoths of the gaming world!

What Makes a Game "Long"?

Before we jump into the list, let's clarify what we mean by a "long" game. It's not just about the main storyline. A truly long game offers a combination of factors that contribute to its extended playtime:

• Main Story Length: Of course, the primary narrative plays a significant role. Games with sprawling stories, intricate plots, and numerous chapters naturally take longer to complete.
• Side Quests and Optional Content: This is where many games truly shine. A wealth of side quests, optional dungeons, hidden bosses, and collectible hunts can add dozens, if not hundreds, of hours to your playtime. Think about those games where you get sidetracked for hours just exploring and discovering new things – that's the magic of optional content!
• Open-World Exploration: Open-world games encourage exploration and discovery. The sheer size of the game world, combined with the freedom to roam and interact with it, can significantly extend playtime. It's so easy to lose yourself in a vast open world, uncovering secrets and completing challenges.
• Grinding and Repetitive Tasks: Some games artificially inflate their length through grinding – repetitive tasks required to level up characters, gather resources, or progress the story. While some players enjoy the grind, others find it tedious.
• Multiplayer and Online Content: Games with robust multiplayer modes or persistent online worlds can offer virtually endless replayability. These games evolve over time with new content, events, and challenges, keeping players engaged for years.

Ultimately, the perception of a game's length is subjective. What one player considers a long and rewarding experience, another might find repetitive and drawn-out. However, the games on this list are generally recognized for their significant playtime and extensive content.

The Titans of Playtime: Our Top Picks

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some of the longest video games you can sink your teeth into, offering countless hours of adventure, challenge, and entertainment:

1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim often tops lists of longest video games, and for good reason. The main questline itself can take a decent chunk of time, but the real meat of Skyrim lies in its massive open world and the sheer volume of side quests. You can easily spend hundreds of hours exploring dungeons, fighting dragons, joining guilds, crafting items, and just generally getting lost in the world of Skyrim. What makes Skyrim so endlessly playable is the freedom it offers. You can be a stealthy assassin, a powerful mage, a noble warrior, or anything in between. The game adapts to your playstyle, providing a unique and personalized experience. The side quests are also incredibly diverse, ranging from simple fetch quests to epic adventures that rival the main storyline. And let's not forget the mods! The Skyrim modding community is incredibly active, creating new content, quests, and features that can extend the game's lifespan indefinitely. Seriously, you could play Skyrim for years and still discover new things. It's a testament to the game's design and the passion of its community that Skyrim remains so popular even today. So, if you're looking for a game that will keep you occupied for a very, very long time, Skyrim is an excellent choice. Just be prepared to say goodbye to your social life!

2. Crusader Kings III

Grand strategy games are notorious for their depth and complexity, and Crusader Kings III is no exception. In Crusader Kings III, you don't just play as a character; you play as a dynasty. You guide your family through generations, making political marriages, waging wars, and plotting assassinations to secure your legacy. The game is a complex simulation of medieval society, with countless variables and interactions that can influence the course of history. The possibilities are truly endless. You can start as a small count and rise to become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, or you can try to conquer the world as a Viking warlord. You can focus on building your kingdom's economy, developing new technologies, or spreading your religion. The game is also full of unexpected events and challenges, such as plagues, rebellions, and rivalries with other families. These events force you to adapt and make difficult decisions, adding to the game's replayability. A single campaign in Crusader Kings III can easily last for hundreds of hours, and with different starting dates and characters, there's always something new to experience. The game's complexity can be daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's incredibly rewarding. Crusader Kings III is a game that will challenge your strategic thinking and keep you coming back for more.

3. Football Manager Series

For football fans, the Football Manager series is legendary. These games are incredibly detailed simulations of managing a football club, from scouting players and training them to negotiating contracts and managing finances. You make every decision, big or small, that affects your team's performance. And let me tell you, it's addictive! You can spend hours tweaking your tactics, analyzing player stats, and trying to find that perfect signing that will take your team to the next level. The game's depth is staggering. There are thousands of players to scout, hundreds of leagues to manage in, and countless factors that can influence a match's outcome. You have to deal with injuries, suspensions, player morale, and even media pressure. The game is constantly evolving, with new features and updates being added every year. And because football is such a dynamic and unpredictable sport, no two seasons are ever the same. You might win the Champions League one year and get relegated the next. That's what makes Football Manager so engaging. It's a game that reflects the highs and lows of real-world football. A single season can take dozens of hours to complete, and many players spend hundreds or even thousands of hours managing their favorite clubs. Football Manager is not just a game; it's a lifestyle.

4. Civilization VI

The Civilization series is a classic for a reason. These turn-based strategy games allow you to guide a civilization from its humble beginnings to a spacefaring empire. You explore the world, build cities, research technologies, and wage war against other civilizations. The goal is to achieve one of several victory conditions, such as domination, culture, science, or religion. What makes Civilization VI so addictive is the sense of progress. You start with a small tribe and gradually develop into a powerful nation. You make crucial decisions about which technologies to research, which wonders to build, and which policies to enact. The game is also full of historical events and figures, adding to its immersion. You might encounter famous leaders like Cleopatra, Genghis Khan, or Queen Victoria, each with their unique abilities and agendas. The game's AI is challenging, and you'll need to use all your strategic skills to outwit your opponents. A single game of Civilization VI can take dozens of hours to complete, and with different civilizations, map types, and victory conditions, there's always something new to try. The game also has a thriving modding community, which adds new civilizations, units, and features. Civilization VI is a game that will challenge your mind and keep you entertained for hours on end.

5. Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous is a massively multiplayer online space simulator that puts you in the cockpit of your own spaceship. You can explore a vast galaxy, trade goods, mine asteroids, fight pirates, and even participate in epic space battles. The game is known for its realism and attention to detail. The star systems are based on real astronomical data, and the ships handle realistically. The game is also incredibly immersive. You can hear the hum of your ship's engines, the crackle of your radio, and the hiss of your life support system. Elite Dangerous is a sandbox game, meaning that there's no main storyline to follow. You're free to choose your own path and make your own adventures. You can become a wealthy trader, a feared pirate, a skilled bounty hunter, or a renowned explorer. The game is constantly evolving, with new content and features being added regularly. And because it's an MMO, you can interact with other players in the game world. You can team up with friends to explore the galaxy, form corporations to control trade routes, or engage in PvP combat. Elite Dangerous is a game that offers endless possibilities. You can spend hundreds or even thousands of hours exploring the galaxy, upgrading your ships, and forging your own destiny. It's a game that will appeal to anyone who loves space exploration and simulation games.

Honorable Mentions

Of course, this list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other long video games out there that deserve a mention:

• Persona 5 Royal
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Assassin's Creed Odyssey
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Fallout 4

These games all offer extensive storylines, engaging side quests, and immersive open worlds that can keep you entertained for hours. They might not be quite as long as the games on our main list, but they're still worth checking out if you're looking for a lengthy gaming experience.

The Never-Ending Story

So, there you have it – a glimpse into the world of longest video games. These games offer incredible value for your money, providing hundreds of hours of entertainment and replayability. Whether you're a fan of RPGs, strategy games, simulations, or open-world adventures, there's a long game out there for you. Just be sure to clear your schedule and prepare for a serious time commitment! Happy gaming, folks!