20 Longest Single Player Games of The LAST 5 YRS.

This discussion focuses on the 20 longest single-player games released in the last five years, ranked by average completion time using data from "How Long to Beat." Starting at number 20, **Stalker 2 Heart of Chernobyl** averages 65.5 hours for completion, with completionist runs reaching 132 hours. Described as slow and deliberately paced with a large, confusing world, it's a massive game, even for fans of the series. Number 19 is **Mount and Blade 2 Bannerlord**, a sandbox game designed for multiple playthroughs. A single playthrough averages around 80 hours, though total playtimes vary widely, with completionist runs potentially reaching 170 hours. At 18, **Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth** averages 85.5 hours. While not the absolute longest in the series, it offers substantial content, including significant side stories like Dondoku Islands and Suki Mon, which contribute to its length. Number 17, **Metaphor: ReFantazio**, is essentially a Persona-style game with a fantasy twist. It averages 88.5 hours, slightly shorter than Persona 5 Royal, largely due to less verbose conversations, making it a bit more streamlined. **Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth** takes the 16th spot, averaging 90 hours for a playthrough that includes many side activities. Completionists can spend up to 165 hours. This game expands a 20-hour segment of the original Final Fantasy VII into a lavish, exhaustive experience. At 15, **Crimson Desert** aims to be an "everything game," averaging 93 hours. Completionists might spend up to 233 hours. Despite a somewhat rough release, developers have been responsive to feedback. The game offers a vast amount of content, including unique bosses and puzzles, though not all of it is equally engaging. **Octopath Traveler Zero** is number 14, surprisingly long for a game that simplified its predecessor, averaging 98.5 hours. Total completion time is around 108 hours. Originally a mobile game, its episodic story structure, now bundled into one release, contributes to its extensive length. Number 13 is **Kingdom Come Deliverance 2**, averaging 102 hours. This sequel improves on the first game and encourages a slow, atmospheric pace. Players start with nothing and must gradually develop skills, making it feel partly like a survival game. High-quality side quests and an immersive world easily lead to losing track of time, with completionist runs reaching 142 hours. **Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition** is number 12, averaging 102 hours, and up to 151 hours for completionists. Despite having minimal plot, its length comes from a vast amount of activities and interconnected systems. The definitive edition adds even more story and side content. At 11, **Valheim**, still in early access, averages 105 hours for a single run. Even in its incomplete state, it offers a tremendous amount of gameplay, with more content expected upon its 1.0 release. **Elden Ring** (base game) is number 10, averaging 105 hours. While combining it with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion (adding 40 hours) would make it longer, the base game alone is a significant time investment, far surpassing the typical 30-hour average for similar titles. Despite some repetitive elements, it offers ample content. Number 9 is **Mass Effect Legendary Edition**. While a collection, these three games are so interconnected they demand to be played as one grand narrative. Playing all three sequentially averages 109 hours, with variations from 61 to 138 hours depending on engagement with side content. **The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom** is number 8, averaging a massive 113 hours, and up to 248 hours for completionists. Building on Breath of the Wild's sandbox, it introduces numerous new mechanics and areas like an underground and sky, providing immense playtime. At 7, **Baldur's Gate 3** averages 117 hours, with completionists spending up to 180 hours. Its depth, detailed maps, secrets, and characters make every action take time. Multiple playthroughs are highly encouraged, especially the "Dark Urge" origin, which offers a drastically different experience. **My Time at Sandrock** is number 6, a Stardew Valley/Harvest Moon-type game with a stronger narrative focus, averaging 125 hours for a single playthrough. Its extensive building, harvesting, and surprisingly deep story ensure long-term engagement, with much to do even after finishing the main narrative. Number 5 is **Road Craft**, the next entry in the "restoring natural disaster damaged towns and roads" series. It expands on MudRunner and SnowRunner by adding active construction and repair, making it an even slower, more methodical experience. It averages 139 hours to complete, offering a unique satisfaction in restoring destroyed environments. **Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous** is number 4, a monstrous RPG averaging 140 hours for a single playthrough, with completionist times soaring to 258 hours. It boasts an immense amount of characters, dungeons, story, mechanics, and battles across numerous ending routes. At 3, **UFO50** is more than a collection of 50 custom-built games; it's a puzzle box with interlocking secrets. Average playtime varies wildly, but serious exploration can take around 147 hours, with some players spending up to 260 hours. Many individual games are short, but the sheer volume and hidden depths make it incredibly long. Number 2 is **Satisfactory**, fully released in 2024. This factory-building game technically has a narrative and an end, averaging 152 hours. Completionists will spend far longer. The complex, interlocking mechanics require significant time to learn and master, leading to impressive achievements by the end. Finally, at number 1, **Caves of Qud** is a classic-style roguelike that entered 1.0 in 2024. While its standard playtime is around 85 hours, its completionist time is an astonishing 500+ hours. This massive, complex, and bizarre game, similar to Dwarf Fortress in its depth and madness, involves endless dying and restarting, making the overall length highly variable but typically much longer for the average player.