These video games take hundreds, if not thousands of hours to complete… Do you own them?
- New study shows which video games take the longest to complete
- Ancient Domains of Mystery takes top spot, followed by Civilisation V
- On average, 940 hours (39 days) play time is required to complete the games from the top ten
New research has shown the top games that take the longest to complete, with many taking hundreds, if not thousands of hours.
The study by Cribbage Online analyzed a database of completion times of over 60,000 games across PC and all consoles in order to determine which took the longest to gather all achievements, unlocks, secrets, and collectibles resulting in 100% completion.
Taking the top spot on the list is ADOM: Ancient Domains of Mystery. Initially released in 1994, with a HD re-release in 2015, widely considered to be one of the best games of the roguelike genre, this 2D roguelike game for PC takes around 2,000 hours (83 days) to 100% complete.
In second place is Sid Meieir’s Civilization V. Fully completing this turn-based strategy game and the accompanying expansions would set a gamer back roughly 1,214 hours (50 days). Initially released in 2010, with expansions in 2012, and 2013, this PC-only game received critical acclaim, achieving a Metacritic score of 90/100.
Third place goes to the original Monster Hunter. Set in a world where beasts and humans coexist, the game consists of various quests that involve fighting these powerful beings. This 2004 Capcom PlayStation 2 game comes in at 1,023 hours (42 days) to 100% complete.
In fourth place is Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith. The second 4X turn-based strategy game to appear on the list, this 2017 PC-only game requires players to spend 1,000 (41 days) hours to achieve 100% completion.
The rest of the top ten features Rock Band 4 in at fifth place. This 2015 game, only released for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, features a 100% completion time investment of 937 hours (39 days).
The sixth place on the list belongs to Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies. This RPG, released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, has a 100% completion time of 718 hours (29 days).
NetHack, a single-player roguelike PC game initially released in 1987, takes seventh place, with a 100% completion time of 649 hours (27 days).
Eighth place goes to Gran Turismo 5, a PlayStation-exclusive racing game released in 2010. In order to achieve a 100% completion of the game, players would need to spend 636 hours (26 days) playing.
In ninth place, with a 100% completion time of 625 hours (26 days), is Clash of Clans. The only mobile game to appear in the top ten, this 2012 game is also the only free-to-play game to occur within the top ten.
Rounding off the list in tenth place is the original, 2001 release of Animal Crossing. Released for the GameCube, gamers wanting a 100% completion would need to spend 607 hours (25 days) playing.
Interestingly, seven of the top ten games were initially released in 2010, and prior, and five in the list do not support online multiplayer. Console games only just clinch the majority, with five games only being supported on console, with very close behind, with four of the top ten being PC only.
| Rank | Game | Story completion (Hours) | Story & extras completion (Hours) | 100% Completion (Hours) | Platforms |
| 1 | ADOM: Ancient Domains Of Mystery | 80 | 100 | 2000 | PC |
| 2 | Sid Meier’s Civilization V | 13 | 144 | 1214 | PC |
| 3 | Monster Hunter | 49 | 88 | 1023 | PlayStation 2 |
| 4 | Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith | 40 | 70 | 1000 | PC |
| 5 | Rock Band 4 | 12 | 107 | 937 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| 6 | Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies | 49 | 86 | 718 | Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS |
| 7 | NetHack | 9 | 82 | 649 | PC |
| 8 | Gran Turismo 5 | 45 | 123 | 636 | PlayStation 3 |
| 9 | Clash of Clans | 21 | 24 | 625 | Android |
| 10 | Animal Crossing | 69 | 161 | 607 | Nintendo GameCube |
A spokesperson for Cribbage Online commented on the findings, saying, “This study shows that gamers are not only interested in completing games but are also dedicated to achieving even the most challenging goals within them. It’s encouraging to see that the gaming industry provides such engaging and immersive experiences that capture the attention and determination of players.
As video games continue to evolve, it’s exciting to see how they can continue offering players new and engaging experiences. This study’s findings show the gaming community’s strength and passions.”
Methodology
A database for video game completion times with over 60,000 entries was analyzed, with the data ranked by the average time users submitted data for 100% completion times.
Included below is a table of extended results:
| Rank | Game | Story completion (Hours) | Story & extras completion (Hours) | 100% Completion (Hours) | Platforms |
| 1 | ADOM: Ancient Domains Of Mystery | 80 | 100 | 2000 | PC |
| 2 | Sid Meier’s Civilization V | 13 | 144 | 1214 | PC |
| 3 | Monster Hunter | 49 | 88 | 1023 | PlayStation 2 |
| 4 | Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith | 40 | 70 | 1000 | PC |
| 5 | Rock Band 4 | 12 | 107 | 937 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| 6 | Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies | 49 | 86 | 718 | Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS |
| 7 | NetHack | 9 | 82 | 649 | PC |
| 8 | Gran Turismo 5 | 45 | 123 | 636 | PlayStation 3 |
| 9 | Clash of Clans | 21 | 24 | 625 | Android |
| 10 | Animal Crossing | 69 | 161 | 607 | Nintendo GameCube |
| 11 | Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate | 77 | 153 | 604 | Nintendo Switch |
| 12 | Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate | 76 | 156 | 603 | Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Wii U |
| 13 | StepMania | 70 | 600 | PC | |
| 14 | Animal Crossing: City Folk | 69 | 198 | 583 | Wii |
| 15 | Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: The Beginning of Destiny | 22 | 58 | 540 | PlayStation 2 |
| 16 | Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns | 87 | 148 | 500 | Nintendo 3DS |
| 17 | MAG | 43 | 90 | 499 | PlayStation 3 |
| 18 | Monster Hunter Freedom | 45 | 76 | 496 | PSP |
| 19 | Disgaea: Hour of Darkness | 49 | 114 | 490 | PlayStation 2, PSP |
| 20 | Inazuma Eleven GO 2: Chrono Stone | 35 | 131 | 487 | Nintendo 3DS |
| 21 | Destiny | 12 | 49 | 475 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
| 22 | Monster Hunter Portable 3rd | 43 | 160 | 460 | PlayStation 3, PSP |
| 23 | Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | 141 | 171 | 455 | PlayStation Vita, PSP |
| 24 | Final Fantasy: Record Keeper | 40 | 93 | 454 | Android, iOS |
| 25 | Destiny of Spirits | 248 | 264 | 446 | PlayStation Vita |
| 26 | Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate | 84 | 154 | 431 | Nintendo 3DS |
| 27 | Solitaire (Windows) | 0 | 10 | 429 | PC |
| 28 | Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice | 33 | 107 | 424 | PlayStation 3 |
| 29 | Hearts of Iron IV | 45 | 242 | 423 | PC |
| 30 | Kerbal Space Program | 117 | 224 | 413 | PC |
| 31 | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Game of the Year Edition | 48 | 95 | 411 | PC, Xbox |
| 32 | Killer Instinct (2013) | 3 | 46 | 409 | PC, Xbox One |
| 33 | Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town | 39 | 50 | 402 | Game Boy Advance |
| 34 | One Piece: Treasure Cruise | 12 | 120 | 400 | Android |
| 35 | Payday 2 | 23 | 120 | 395 | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| 36 | Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space | 12 | 19 | 392 | PlayStation Vita |
| 37 | Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes | 10 | 70 | 391 | PlayStation 3, Wii |
| 38 | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | 87 | 198 | 389 | Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS |
| 39 | Football Manager 2018 | 86 | 161 | 381 | PC |
| 40 | White Knight Chronicles II | 40 | 73 | 377 | PlayStation 3 |
| 41 | Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked | 29 | 43 | 376 | PC |
| 42 | Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds | 2 | 26 | 370 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| 43 | Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 40 | 70 | 362 | PC |
| 44 | Animal Crossing: Wild World | 70 | 187 | 355 | Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS |
| 45 | Dungeon Defenders | 14 | 57 | 349 | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| 46 | Arms | 2 | 25 | 349 | Nintendo Switch |
| 47 | Gran Turismo 4 | 79 | 166 | 343 | PlayStation 2 |
| 48 | Monster Hunter Tri | 61 | 150 | 336 | Wii, Wii U |
| 49 | Unchained Blades | 36 | 74 | 333 | Nintendo 3DS, PSP |
| 50 | Fishing Resort | 36 | 69 | 330 | Wii |
