The game’s main story takes around 10-12 hours to complete, but exploring all side content and achieving full completion can easily extend the playtime to 20+ hours.
Ever wondered, how long is the game inside? It’s a common question when you’re considering picking up a new title, and understandably so. We’ve all been there, eager to dive in, but also wanting to gauge the commitment.
Some games are designed for quick, intense bursts, while others draw you in for much longer periods. Figuring out where a particular game falls on that spectrum is important. We hope the above answer addresses your concern about the gameplay duration.
How Long is the Game Inside?
Figuring out “how long is the game inside” is a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. It really depends on what kind of game we’re talking about! Some games are short and sweet, perfect for a quick play, while others are sprawling adventures that can keep you busy for weeks or even months. Let’s explore the many factors that influence how much time you’ll spend playing a particular game. We will dive into different types of games, what impacts their length, and give you some tips for estimating how much playtime you’ll get out of your next purchase.
Different Game Genres and Their Playtimes
The first big thing that affects game length is the type of game itself. Just like books have different genres, games do too, and these genres often have typical playtime lengths:
Story-Driven Adventure Games
These games often have a main story that you follow, filled with characters, dialogue, and puzzles. Think of games like “The Legend of Zelda” or “Uncharted”.
Average Playtime: These usually take between 20 and 50 hours to complete the main storyline.
Why they vary: The length can change based on how much exploring and side quests you do. If you focus only on the main story, you’ll finish faster. But, if you want to find all the hidden secrets and complete every side mission, you could easily double or triple that playtime.
Example: A game like “The Last of Us” might take around 20 hours for a straight playthrough. But, if you try to find every little object and complete every optional conversation, it could easily take 30 hours or more.
Open-World Games
These are games where you have a big map to explore and lots of freedom to decide what you want to do. Think of games like “Grand Theft Auto” or “Minecraft”.
Average Playtime: The main story can vary from 25-60 hours, but most of the time goes to all the extra content the game offers.
Why they vary: These games often don’t have a strict endpoint. You can keep playing for as long as you want exploring, building, and doing side quests. You could easily spend 100+ hours in a large open world.
Example: A game like “Red Dead Redemption 2” could take 50-60 hours just to finish the story, but many players spend hundreds of hours hunting, exploring, and discovering all the hidden details the game offers.
Here are some examples of playtime:
- Main Story Focused: 50 to 60 hours
- Main Story and Exploration: 100+ hours
- Completionist run: 200+ hours
If you are a type of person who just want to finish the main story, it will take way less time. But if you want to explore every corner and complete every single thing, it will take a lot of time.
Puzzle Games
These games challenge your brain with riddles and puzzles to solve, like “Portal” or “The Witness”.
Average Playtime: Puzzle games vary a lot. Some can be finished in 5-10 hours, while others may take 20-30 hours or even more.
Why they vary: The difficulty of the puzzles will make a big difference. Some puzzles are easy to figure out, while others can take time to understand. Also, some puzzle games have a main story to complete, while others are just collections of puzzles.
Example: A game like “Portal” could be completed in 10 hours, but “The Witness,” with its hundreds of tricky puzzles, could take 30-40 hours.
Simulation Games
These games let you create, manage, or experience something. Think of games like “The Sims” or “Cities Skylines.”
Average Playtime: Simulation games are more about ongoing play than completion. A single play session might take a few hours, but there is no end point in sight.
Why they vary: There is not really an “end” to these games. They are open ended and designed to be played over and over again. You can spend hundreds of hours in a single game.
Example: A game like “Stardew Valley” can be played endlessly. You may spend 30-50 hours on your first farm, but people have easily put 500+ hours into it.
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
These action-based games focus on gunfights from a first-person perspective. Think of games like “Call of Duty” or “Halo”.
Average Playtime: The single-player campaign in these games can take anywhere from 6 to 15 hours.
Why they vary: If you are playing in a high difficulty, it will increase the playtime. The multiplayer side of these games add an infinite playtime.
Example: A “Call of Duty” campaign might take 8 hours to finish, but multiplayer modes keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
Sports Games
These games simulate sports like basketball, soccer, and racing. Think of games like “FIFA” or “NBA 2K”
Average Playtime: These games don’t really have an “end”. You can play a single match in minutes, while a franchise could take many hours of playtime.
Why they vary: These games are made to be played continuously. With regular updates and new features, they can stay relevant for years, offering a large amount of playtime.
Example: A single match in “Madden” could take a few minutes, but a franchise mode where you manage a team can take 50+ hours over time.
Fighting Games
These games are all about one-on-one combat, featuring characters with special moves, like “Street Fighter” or “Mortal Kombat.”
Average Playtime: If you are playing the story mode it can take between 5 to 10 hours, but most people play the game for multiplayer modes.
Why they vary: These games are usually very short in their single player mode. But, people play fighting games to battle online or with friends, which adds infinite replayability.
Example: Finishing “Mortal Kombat’s” story mode may take 6-8 hours, but many players spend years practicing and fighting in multiplayer.
Indie Games
Indie games are made by small teams or individual developers. These vary widely in genre and playtime. Think of games like “Hollow Knight” or “Celeste”.
Average Playtime: Indie games range from just a few hours to over 40 hours.
Why they vary: This depends on the style of the game and what it offers. Some indie games are very short experiences while others can have content similar to AAA games.
Example: “Stardew Valley” is an Indie game that takes 50+ hours to just get started, while “Inside” only takes around 3 hours to complete.
Factors Influencing Playtime Beyond Game Genre
It’s not just the genre that determines how long a game is. Several other things can change the amount of time you spend playing a game. Let’s look at some of these factors:
Difficulty Level
Easy Mode: If you play on an easy setting, you will likely move through the game quicker. Enemies won’t be as tough, and you may not need to spend time exploring to find items or upgrade your character.
Normal Mode: This is the average experience designed for a first playthrough.
Hard Mode: On a harder difficulty setting, enemies will be stronger, you might need to be more strategic, and you may spend more time exploring to find needed items, resulting in longer playtime.
Your Playstyle
Speedrunner: If you’re trying to beat the game as fast as possible and skip a lot of the content, you’ll spend way less time playing.
Completionist: If you want to explore every little corner, complete all side quests, and find every hidden item, you’ll likely spend way more time playing.
Casual Player: This type of player will enjoy the game at their own pace, without focusing too much on a fast playthrough, or searching for all secrets. They will experience the game as intended.
Exploration and Side Quests
Side Quests: Many games have optional side missions and activities that you can do in addition to the main story. If you do all of these, you’ll spend a lot more time in the game.
Secrets: Games often hide secrets and collectibles that are not needed to finish the game. Finding these can add many extra hours.
Open-World Exploration: Open-world games reward exploration by allowing you to find new things, like side quests, hidden locations, rare items, and much more.
Multiplayer Modes
Online Play: Games with online multiplayer modes can be played for a very long time. You are now playing against other people and that will add an endless amount of playtime.
Competitive Play: If you are a competitive player you can spend hundreds of hours just practicing.
Cooperative Play: Games you play with other players can also be played for a long period of time.
Replayability
Different Endings: Some games have multiple endings depending on what choices you make. This encourages players to play the game again to see all possible results.
New Game Plus: Some games have a New Game Plus mode that lets you play the game over with all your upgrades and items, but in a higher difficulty. This encourages players to play the game again and gives them an additional challenge.
Randomized Elements: Some games have parts that are randomized on each playthrough, like maps or enemy locations. This means that each playthrough will be unique, encouraging you to play again and again.
Here is a table sumarizing how these factors influence game length:
| Factor | Impact on Game Length |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Harder difficulties usually increase playtime. |
| Playstyle | Completionists spend more time; speedrunners less. |
| Side Quests & Exploration | Engaging with these adds significant playtime. |
| Multiplayer Modes | Adds near-infinite playtime potential. |
| Replayability | Features like multiple endings or New Game Plus encourage additional playthroughs. |
How to Estimate Game Length Before You Play
Want to get an idea of how much time you’ll spend playing a game before you buy it? Here are a few things you can do:
Check Reviews
Read Reviews: Look for reviews from websites or other players that mention the game’s length. Pay close attention to reviews from people who have a similar play style to you.
Watch Videos: Check out videos on platforms like Youtube or Twitch to get a good idea about game’s pacing and length.
User Comments: Read through player comments on various platforms to get a better understanding of other players’ experience with playtime.
Use Online Resources
Websites: Some websites, such as HowLongToBeat, specialize in collecting player data on playtime and have a detailed average playtime for many games.
Forums: You can also check specific forums or communities for the game that interest you to see what others are saying about the playtime.
Consider Your Own Playstyle
Reflect: Think about how you usually play games. Do you like to explore every corner, or do you want to finish the game as fast as possible?
Adjust: If you know that you’re the kind of person who likes to explore everything, add a few hours to the estimated average playtime. If you’re a speedrunner, subtract a few hours from the average.
Look for Developer Information
Interviews: Sometimes game developers share insights into the estimated playtime in interviews.
Official Info: You can check the developer’s website or blog, or social media, for any official information about game length.
Check for Additional Content
DLC: Some games have downloadable content (DLC) that can add many hours of gameplay.
Updates: Be sure to look for any updates to a game. Sometimes, games get updates that add more content.
By using these tips, you’ll be able to get a general idea of how much time you will spend in a game before you even start playing. This can help you make better purchase decisions and help manage your time more efficiently.
Understanding how long “the game inside” is, takes more than just reading the box or the store page description. By thinking about the type of game, how you like to play, and considering external resources such as reviews and online forums, you can estimate if a game is right for you. This helps you choose games that fit your schedule and playtime preferences.
INSIDE Gameplay Walkthrough (XboxOne) – (FULL GAME) | CenterStrain01
Final Thoughts
The core gameplay offers roughly 10-15 hours for a single playthrough. Completionists can easily double this time exploring all secrets. The main story provides a concise but compelling narrative, with optional side quests adding significant playtime.
The exact duration varies based on playstyle; some players might focus directly on the main objective. Others will immerse themselves in the world and activities. Therefore, how long is the game inside truly depends on the individual player’s approach and desire for exploration. A must play.
