Game length, whats your take.

Recently I've noticed a lot of people ripping on "short games". In particular GoW:Chains of Olympus is reportedly 5 hours long and a lot of hardcore gamers are complaining. Ussually if a game is reported to take 10 hours, it takes me 15-18 anyway because I like to see everything and explore the game.

My question is ........what is an acceptable length for a game? Does it depend on the game genre? Does quality vs. quantity come into play?

RPG - 40

Action/Adventure/Platformer - 15

RTS - 100+ (multiplayer and online)

Fighter - 100+ (multiplayer and online)

FPS - 5(story mode) 100+(online)

FPS / TPS: 15-20 hours

RPG: 40+ hours

Platformer: 15-20 hours

RTS: 10 hours

Sports: 2 hour increments

Any game should be more than 6-12 hours long, depending on the genre. To me, action/adventure titles should at least last around 12 hours and for 6-8 hours. RPGs, however, should be longer than 12 hours but I had no problem with Mass Effect. I was a bit dissapointed though.

Honestly, I don't care about length as much as the next System War fanboy. I only care about how epic the game will be.

FPS / TPS: 15-20 hours

RPG: 40+ hours

Platformer: 15-20 hours

RTS: 10 hours

Sports: 2 hour increments

-Jiggles-

That's streching it, if anything RTS supposed to have such lengthy SP campaigns.

action games 15+

RPG 30+

FPS or TPS 8+(single player)

Platformers 20+

Other(GTA Driver Getaway Saintsrow) 60+(including minigames and side missions)

There's an element of more "bang for buck" with longer games, but some games suffer from being stretched out too long. It does greatly depend on the genre. A game's length can only really be measured by its single player campaign, since its multiplayer time will vary immensely from person to person, depending on how much they like the game.

RPGs should logically be the longest, though I personally think JRPGs can afford to go on for longer than WRPGs.

Shooters tend to be unfortunately short, it's usually around 10 hours now.

Action/Adventure games can vary a lot. DMC4 isn't that long (playing on lowest difficulty, don't shoot me! :P ) only like 10 hours. (Obviously play it again if you liked it, it'll take a load longer considering how hard it gets later on.) But then Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was an epic, around 40 hours long.

I'd list more...but meh.

Lengh should be proportionate to the story, pacing and the developers vision, so there isn't a specific length games, regardless of genre, should meet. Would Portal have been a better game if it were stretched out to 10+ hours? Of course not. Conversely just because you can sink 200+ hours into Oblivion doesn't mean it's a good game.

FPS - 5(story mode) 100+(online)

Cute_Red_Panda

I hope that's a typo - FPS games should be at least 15-20 hours (assuming that there's enough of story to fill up those hours), especially for those gamers who dislike online multiplayer.

There isnt' a set amount. A 3 hour long game can be better than a 100 hour game, and if those 3 hours are so much more fun (not to mention replayable) than the 100 of the other game, I'd be more likely to consider the three hour game a better choice.

Usually, 8-15 hours with a lot of replayability, be it because of secondary objectives or flexibility is enough for me.

Of course, if it's longer, I won't be complaining.

I think a good case in point is the fighting genre. You usually can finish the story mode in much less than an hour, but the flexibility allows for a lot of enjoyment to be had from those 10-15 minutes.

[QUOTE="Cute_Red_Panda"]

FPS - 5(story mode) 100+(online)

Planeforger

I hope that's a typo - FPS games should be at least 15-20 hours, especially for those gamers who dislike online multiplayer.

No. ALL FpS stories are boring to me. Tom Clancy wannabes.

As long as it's fun, I don't really care how long it is. :P Sure there's the whole "well if it's 5 hours with no replay value then I'll rent it instead of buying it", but other than that, meh, it's good for games to be long, but if they're short then I'll just rent em. :P Like others have said in this thread, a game being too long can hurt it as well.

Bottom line: As long as it's fun I'll play it and beat it, regardless of length.

Although if you want me to sort by genre what a nice length for each game type is, single-player wise:

RPG: 30 hours
FPS: 8 hours
Action/TPS: 10 hours
Adventure (like Zelda): 20 hours
RTS: 25 hours
Racing: 20 hours

:D Although multiplayer makes games last alot longer.

Unless it got muiltplayer.....Anything I could beat in less than a day is not worth a buy maybe a rent. I might has well watch a movie.

It can be 3 hours long as long as it's super replayable.Kritical_Strike

Then it not really 3 hours long in a matter of speaking. In GOW:CoO is really only 5 hours long with no replay is it worth the $35.00 to buy the game no matter how big of a GOW fan someone may be?

I would say no go to gamefly spend the $9 to rent it and then return it and get something else.

[QUOTE="Kritical_Strike"]It can be 3 hours long as long as it's super replayable.HarlockJC

Then it not really 3 hours long in a matter of speaking. In GOW:CoO is really only 5 hours long with no replay is it worth the $35.00 to buy the game no matter how big of a GOW fan someone may be?

I would say no go to gamefly spend the $9 to rent it and then return it and get something else.

NGDS will be very short, but apparently it's very replayable. GoW isn't a good example because it's actually not that fun to replay imo.

Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.Chutebox

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

Lengh should be proportionate to the story, pacing and the developers vision, so there isn't a specific length games, regardless of genre, should meet. Would Portal have been a better game if it were stretched out to 10+ hours? Of course not. Conversely just because you can sink 200+ hours into Oblivion doesn't mean it's a good game.

PBSnipes

but portal wasnt a freaking 60 dollar stand alone game, it was packed with 4 other games.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.HarlockJC

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

Well, $60 games in general is just stupid. I don't care how long the game is, but I gotta play the games so what to do?

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.HarlockJC

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

None of those games are meant to be played once.

I just want more bang to my buck. These console games are like $60 bucks. So games like Heavenly Sword, Ratchet, Lair, and Uncharted just doesn't cut it because lack of replay value like multiplayer mode.

I just want more bang to my buck. These console games are like $60 bucks. So games like Heavenly Sword, Ratchet, Lair, and Uncharted just doesn't cut it because lack of replay value like multiplayer mode.

ReverseCycology

I'll give ya Heavenly Sword, but there's plenty of replay in the other games. Well I lied, I don't know about Lair, don't plan on finishing that. But just because I game doesn't have multiplayer doesn't mean there is no replay, look at DMC4 and Ratchet actually has a crap load of stuff to do.

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.Chutebox

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

Well, $60 games in general is just stupid. I don't care how long the game is, but I gotta play the games so what to do?

There is a few choice but none very good. 1st is to wait until it used and pick it up cheaper, 2nd is to rent the game or 3rd is not to buy the game. Not good choices but I really feel like these short games which cost a lot are going to hurt gaming altogether. There going to be a point where people say no more they are not going to spend their money on a game they deat right away. Yes they can be picky but lets be honest most people do not read reviews they buy based on the box art or adds on TV. If you spend $50 a game 5 times in a row and beat each game with in a day or two. Would you keep buying games?

[QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.Kritical_Strike

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

None of those games are meant to be played once.

I wish there was a survey done to see the percent of people who really replay games after beating them. And no survey on this board would count.

[QUOTE="Cute_Red_Panda"]

FPS - 5(story mode) 100+(online)

Planeforger

I hope that's a typo - FPS games should be at least 15-20 hours (assuming that there's enough of story to fill up those hours), especially for those gamers who dislike online multiplayer.

Exactly.

[QUOTE="Kritical_Strike"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.HarlockJC

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

None of those games are meant to be played once.

I wish there was a survey done to see the percent of people who really replay games after beating them. And no survey on this board would count.

Only games I really replay are Final Fantasy games.

Only games I really replay are Final Fantasy games.

Chutebox

The only games I have ever replayed are the old Commander Keens and Space Quest. I tried to reply FF7 but got board with it after about 30 mins.

[QUOTE="ReverseCycology"]

I just want more bang to my buck. These console games are like $60 bucks. So games like Heavenly Sword, Ratchet, Lair, and Uncharted just doesn't cut it because lack of replay value like multiplayer mode.

Chutebox

I'll give ya Heavenly Sword, but there's plenty of replay in the other games. Well I lied, I don't know about Lair, don't plan on finishing that. But just because I game doesn't have multiplayer doesn't mean there is no replay, look at DMC4 and Ratchet actually has a crap load of stuff to do.

Yeah, I played the heck out of Rachet, HS, and Uncharted but for some reason I still wanted more, oh well. It's fun watching somebody else play those games too.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="HarlockJC"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]Like people have said it depends on a lot of factors. If it's a RPG, I'd like it to be at least 30 hours(main story, not including side quests etc). For adventure games like Uncharted, DMC4, NG etc, I'm good at 10-15 hours. Only complaint of game length so far is Heavenly Sword, that game was too awesome to end as soon as it did.HarlockJC

I have spent the money so I am not one to talk. But it just been bothering me has of late. Does anyone feel ripped off when they buy a game no matter how good and it costs you $50 or more to buy the game, then you beat it in 2 or 3 days?

It is starting to bother me. This is not counting replay games or anything with multiplayer.

Well, $60 games in general is just stupid. I don't care how long the game is, but I gotta play the games so what to do?

There is a few choice but none very good. 1st is to wait until it used and pick it up cheaper, 2nd is to rent the game or 3rd is not to buy the game. Not good choices but I really feel like these short games which cost a lot are going to hurt gaming altogether. There going to be a point where people say no more they are not going to spend their money on a game they deat right away. Yes they can be picky but lets be honest most people do not read reviews they buy based on the box art or adds on TV. If you spend $50 a game 5 times in a row and beat each game with in a day or two. Would you keep buying games?

If costs for individual games is your ONLY gripe about cash, consider PC gaming.

One game like Crysis will last you three years at a minimum.

Go to Youtube and type in "Crysis mod" or "Crysis sandbox".

They're all too damn short nowadays.

I blame Microsoft and Sony. They combine unreasonably high development costs with similarly high licensing costs. Developers have to take shortcuts to continue to appease the fanbase, usually by focusing on multiplayer, but there are few games that aren't shooters, sports, or fighting games that are good for multiplayer.

Alot of cows bash GeoW and Halo for being short single player (but they have multiplayer), yet they never once complained about GoW.

If the game is a memorable experience (The Hitman series is an example) and if it has replay value (Hitman, again ;)), then length doesn't really matter.

I tend to start losing interest in games around the 50-60 hour mark. By that time, I've probably spent close to a couple weeks on the game, and sometimes I just drop them. I usually buy games that can hold my interst until the end, but I have burnt out a couple of times.Conjuration

I burn out all the time.

RPGs, FPSs, you name the genre, there's a game in it I never finished.