Sword games have been a staple of the gaming industry for decades, offering players a chance to engage in epic battles, explore vast worlds, and master ancient martial arts. From action-packed hack-and-slash titles to strategic RPGs, sword games come in many shapes and sizes. But what sets some of these games apart is their sheer scale and complexity. In this article, we'll explore the five longest sword games ever made, games that will keep you busy for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.
What Makes a Sword Game Long?
Before we dive into our list, it's essential to understand what makes a sword game long. Several factors contribute to a game's length, including:
- Story complexity: Games with intricate narratives, multiple endings, and branching storylines can keep players engaged for dozens of hours.
- Gameplay mechanics: Titles with deep combat systems, character customization, and skill trees can encourage players to experiment and master different playstyles.
- Open-world exploration: Games set in vast, open worlds can offer hundreds of hours of exploration, side quests, and discovery.
- Replay value: Games with high replay value, such as procedurally generated content or multiple playable characters, can keep players coming back for more.
Factor in the Fun
While length is an essential factor in our ranking, it's not the only consideration. We've also taken into account the overall quality and enjoyment of each game. A game can be long, but if it's not fun, it's unlikely to keep players engaged for extended periods.
5. Dark Souls (2011)
FromSoftware's Dark Souls is a notoriously challenging action RPG that has become a cult classic. With a vast, interconnected world to explore and a deep combat system to master, Dark Souls offers dozens of hours of intense gameplay. While the game's main story can be completed in around 20-30 hours, the journey to 100% completion can take upwards of 100 hours.
Why It's Long
- Interconnected world: Dark Souls' world is carefully designed to encourage exploration and discovery.
- Tough enemies: The game's challenging enemies and bosses require patience, skill, and persistence to overcome.
- Character customization: With a deep character creation system and multiple playstyles to experiment with, players can try out different builds and strategies.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
CD Projekt RED's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action RPG that sets a new standard for storytelling, graphics, and gameplay. With a vast open world to explore, a deep combat system, and a mature narrative, The Witcher 3 offers dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Completing the main story can take around 50-60 hours, but with all the side quests, contracts, and DLCs, the total playtime can exceed 200 hours.
Why It's Long
- Open-world exploration: The Witcher 3's vast open world is full of secrets, side quests, and hidden areas to discover.
- Deep combat system: With a complex combat system and multiple playstyles to master, players can experiment with different strategies and tactics.
- High replay value: The game's DLCs and expansions offer new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics to keep players engaged.
3. Monster Hunter: World (2018)
Capcom's Monster Hunter: World is an action RPG that challenges players to hunt and slay massive monsters in a vast open world. With a deep crafting system, complex combat mechanics, and a vast array of monsters to hunt, Monster Hunter: World offers dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Completing the main story can take around 20-30 hours, but with all the side quests, hunting contracts, and online multiplayer, the total playtime can exceed 500 hours.
Why It's Long
- Vast open world: The game's open world is full of secrets, hidden areas, and monsters to discover.
- Deep crafting system: With a complex crafting system and multiple playstyles to experiment with, players can craft their own gear and strategies.
- High replay value: The game's online multiplayer and frequent updates with new content keep players engaged for months.
2. Skyrim (2011)
Bethesda's Skyrim is an open-world fantasy RPG that sets a new standard for storytelling, graphics, and gameplay. With a vast open world to explore, a deep character creation system, and a complex combat mechanic, Skyrim offers dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Completing the main story can take around 20-30 hours, but with all the side quests, character builds, and mods, the total playtime can exceed 1000 hours.
Why It's Long
- Vast open world: Skyrim's open world is full of secrets, hidden areas, and characters to discover.
- Deep character creation: With a complex character creation system and multiple playstyles to experiment with, players can craft their own unique characters.
- High replay value: The game's mods and frequent updates with new content keep players engaged for years.
1. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013)
Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a massively multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG) that sets a new standard for storytelling, graphics, and gameplay. With a vast open world to explore, a complex combat system, and a rich narrative, Final Fantasy XIV offers dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Completing the main story can take around 50-60 hours, but with all the side quests, dungeons, and raids, the total playtime can exceed 2000 hours.
Why It's Long
- Vast open world: The game's open world is full of secrets, hidden areas, and characters to discover.
- Complex combat system: With a complex combat system and multiple playstyles to master, players can experiment with different strategies and tactics.
- High replay value: The game's frequent updates with new content, expansions, and events keep players engaged for years.
Invite your fellow sword game enthusiasts to share their favorite games and why they love them. What makes a sword game long and engaging to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
What is the longest sword game ever made?
+According to our ranking, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is the longest sword game ever made, with a total playtime exceeding 2000 hours.
What makes a sword game long?
+A sword game can be long due to various factors, including a complex story, deep gameplay mechanics, open-world exploration, and high replay value.
How long does it take to complete the main story in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?
+Completing the main story in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can take around 50-60 hours.