There is never a shortage of lengthy RPGs (role-playing games). This genre has dominated the gaming industry since being introduced in the early 1980s. Approximately forty years ago, we saw the release of retro games like Temple of Apshai, Beneath Apple Manor, and Dragonstomper. When we think of really old RPGs today, however, we usually look to Dungeons & Dragons.
To some, over a hundred hours of gameplay is too long and not worth the effort. Others disagree and would relish the opportunity to delve deep into a quality RPG. Is a lengthy, convoluted RPG worth playing until the end? Here are the fifteen longest RPGs of all time, ranked.
Updated January 10th, 2021 by Thomas Bowen: Role playing games have changed a lot since their initial inception, but there are some things that have stayed the same. They still contain wonderful storytelling and vibrant locales; not to mention the fascinating characters and creatures that help to make their worlds feel so alive. Above all else though, they’re known for being long.
While most modern games can be completed in around 20 hours, RPGs typically take far longer with some clocking in at over a hundred hours. They require patience, perseverance, and a lot of free time to complete, but many find the reward to be well worth the effort. Anybody looking for a way to while away a few days of their lives would do well to check out some of the following titles.
15 Kenshi (76.5 Hours)
It took Chris Hunt almost 12 years to develop Kenshi with the designer carrying out the majority of the work single-handedly. The end result is a fantastic free-roaming RPG that will take more than 75 hours to complete. Thanks to its exciting gameplay though, it’s possible to sink hundreds or even thousands of hours into the game without ever growing tired of it.
It can take quite a bit of time to really come to terms with the game’s mechanics, but it’s well worth the effort to do so. It’s a title that rewards players for their patience and perseverance with the main prize on offer being fun. Rarely are RPGs this enjoyable, nor do many provide the kind of replayability that can be found here.
14 Harvest Moon: Back To Nature (78.5 Hours)
As a game with simulation and role-playing elements, Harvest Moon: Back to Nature was the first non-Nintendo Harvest Moon game. It contains many aspects of Harvest Moon 64, including its characters, but with new personalities and traits.
Released for the Sony PlayStation, the game revolves around farming. Despite having discarded the isometric camera, Harvest Moon: Back to Nature plays fluidly. BTN is lengthy, but by no means tedious. The graphics don’t hold up as well, which is why it might be time for a new remaster/remake project.
13 Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (79 Hours)
The Nintendo 3DS game Monster Hunter 4 was a commercial success and one of the Monster Hunter series’s strongest entries. In 2015, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate was released in North America. It is an enhanced version of the original Monster Hunter 4, containing added content and more features. The movements of the players are also more realistic, with the possibility for better vertical and lateral. As a game that takes 79 hours to beat, on average, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is extraordinarily long.
12 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (81.5 Hours)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (also known as Persona 3), is surprisingly not the longest game in the series. Persona 3 was released as a PlayStation exclusive for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable.
In the game, you play as an orphaned student who is attending a new high school. After transferring, you are attacked by creatures recognized as shadows. The plot thickens as you develop a persona, which proves to be powerful.
11 Pathfinder: Kingmaker (82.5 Hours)
This game is available on Steam as part of the Pathfinder: Kingmaker – Enhanced Plus Edition. Set in the Pathfinder universe, this is a game inspired by hit RPGs like Fallout 2 and Baldur’s Gate. Set out on a customizable journey where you must take over the Stolen Lands.
It takes approximately 82 and a half hours to beat the main story of Pathfinder: Kingmaker, so don’t expect this to be a short-lived adventure. The game contains numerous battles in the harshness of the wilderness.
10 Record Of Agarest War (83.5 Hours)
The team at Idea Factory have a strong track record when it comes to delivering high quality strategy RPGs and Record of Agarest War is more of the same. It certainly has its flaws, but its in depth character development options and intuitive combat system make it very easy to look past them.
The game features a compelling story and enough difficulty settings to provide just the right level of challenge to suit every player. Given that a full playthough can very easily push past the 100 hour mark, the new game+ mode will probably be too big an ask for most players. The standard version of the game is definitely worth a look though.
9 Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (83.5 Hours)
That Monster Hunter World never made its way onto Nintendo consoles remains bitterly disappointing to many series fans. The blow is softened somewhat, however, by the availability of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. It might not be as impressive as its younger brother, but there’s more than enough content to keep players busy for quite some time.
With two new hunting styles added to the game, it’s by far the most enjoyable version of Monster Hunter Generations available and it looks great too. There are times when it feels as though it’s being held back a little by the limitations of the Switch, but these moments are few and far between and not nearly enough to soil the legacy of what is otherwise a fantastic game.
8 Inquisitor (90 Hours)
It will take you approximately 90 hours to beat the main story of Inquisitor. Reviews for the game were mixed, but it’s undoubtedly a lengthy RPG. You will become engrossed in its gloomy story while playing as one of three character classes. Exploration is encouraged as this game is set in an enormous world. Inquisitor‘s various dungeons and surface areas in forests and towns are something to marvel at. Moreover, this game contains plenty of text pages to learn what’s beneath the story.
7 Rune Factory Frontier (90.5 Hours)
Rune Factory 4 may have won our hearts on the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch, but another game in the series was much longer. We are, of course, referring to Rune Factory Frontier. It was released for the Nintendo Wii and is the third Rune Factory game.
Similar to Stardew Valley, you own a farm while the plot unfolds. There are four seasons during which there are different crops to plant. By and large, this is an immersive game with an intriguing plot. It’s so engaging that its 90.5 hours main story won’t feel that long.
6 Wizardry 8 (93 Hours)
While Wizardry 8 is definitely starting to show its age visually, the gameplay mechanics hidden within the game’s programming still hold their own despite now being almost two decades old. In many ways this serves as a testament to the talent of the team over at Sir-Tech Canada, whose creative and often intuitive design solutions have really stood the test of time.
Fans of the Might & Magic series will feel right at home in the world of Wizardry thanks mainly to its enjoyable combat, challenging difficulty and interesting settings. It will require quite a bit of patience though; not only when it comes to learning how to play the game effectively, but also making it to the end of the story. Those with a bit of time on their hands should definitely consider spending it here.
5 Persona 5 Royal (103 Hours)
2020’s Persona 5 Royal is hands down a top contender for the best RPG of all time. Its story is one that will leave you so engrossed that its length won’t seem to overburden. The length of the main story is approximately 103 hours, but completionists and players who delve into the extras will take dozens of hours longer. The Royal edition is the way to go if you’re going to play this game. It contains extra characters, a new semester at the Shujin Academy, and added depth to the overall story.
4 SD Gundam G Generation Genesis (108 Hours)
Fans of Mech games should already have a pretty good idea of what they’re getting with SD Gundam G Generation Genesis as it’s very much a case of more of the same. Sure, there are some visual improvements and gameplay tweaks here and there, but, for the most part, it’s effectively just an updated version of the previous Gundam title. Apparently EA aren’t the only ones who enjoy churning out the same game year after year!
Whether or not this is a ‘good’ game is a matter for some serious debate as there are a lot of divisive mechanics and design choices found throughout it. Regardless of how one feels about the title though there can be no disputing that it offers great value for money. Clocking in at over 100 hours, it’s one of the longest video games ever made.
3 Dragon Warrior VII (108 Hours)
Whether you prefer the remake Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past or the original Dragon Warrior VII, both are exceptionally long. A single completion could take hundreds of hours, but the average player does it 108 hours. You decide the protagonist’s name as you embark on a journey as one of the game’s strongest fighters. There is mystery in the plot, and one could quickly lose themselves as they delve deep into this classic RPG.
2 Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (115 Hours)
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite features a lengthy main story, as do many of the Monster Hunter games. This game is the North American version of Monster Hunter Portable 2G. Leisurely trying to complete all the missions will take you approximately 700 hours. However, those looking to complete the main story at an average speed will beat it in 115 hours. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite contains an abundance of monsters to defeat and fun missions for all playstyles.
1 Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (220 Hours)
The Final Fantasy series is recognized for its engaging stories and RPG elements. Although it’s not the series with the longest games, there are outliers. Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is the longest Final Fantasy game period.
Yes, you read that correctly. Completing the main story of Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius takes players, on average, a whopping 220 hours! This mobile game cannot be beaten in one sitting. It will take over a week if you play 24-hour straight sessions — which is impossible. Quit while you’re ahead or spend the next few months trying to finish this behemoth.
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