Understanding how long to beat a video game is essential for modern gamers who balance entertainment with busy schedules. Whether you’re planning a weekend playthrough or deciding if a massive open-world title fits into your lifestyle, knowing estimated completion times helps set realistic expectations.
This guide is based on real player data, developer interviews, and aggregated gameplay statistics from authoritative sources like HowLongToBeat.com, IGN, and GameSpot. It explains not just how long games take, but why playtimes vary depending on skill level, playstyle, difficulty settings, and completion goals.
How Long to Beat Expedition 33
Expedition 33 is a narrative-driven experience focused on exploration, environmental storytelling, and puzzle-solving rather than combat-heavy mechanics.
Estimated Completion Overview
• Main Story Completion
Most players complete the primary narrative in approximately 8–10 hours. This includes following the core storyline without extensive backtracking. Players who read environmental lore and explore optional dialogue may extend this time naturally.
• Main Story + Side Content
Engaging with optional puzzles, hidden rooms, and alternate endings increases playtime to 12–14 hours. These sections reward curiosity and often reveal deeper narrative layers.
• Completionist Playthrough
Players seeking all collectibles, achievements, and narrative branches can expect 15+ hours, especially if replaying sections to unlock missed content.
• Skill Level Impact
Puzzle-solving speed heavily affects playtime. Logical thinkers progress faster, while methodical players may spend extra time experimenting.
• Replay Value Considerations
Multiple endings encourage replaying, though repeat runs are typically shorter.
• Comparison to Similar Games
Compared to titles like Firewatch or Gone Home, Expedition 33 offers slightly more depth and longer engagement.
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How Long to Beat Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is renowned for its difficulty, depth, and expansive metroidvania world.
Average Playtime Breakdown
• Main Story Path
Completing the core narrative typically takes 26–30 hours, depending on combat proficiency and exploration habits.
• Main + Extras
Players engaging with optional bosses, hidden areas, and lore expansions spend around 40–45 hours.
• 100% Completion (112%)
True completionists may invest 60–70+ hours, particularly when tackling endgame content like the Pantheon of Hallownest.
• Difficulty Curve Influence
Challenging boss fights significantly extend playtime, especially for new players.
• Exploration Density
The interconnected map encourages backtracking, discovery, and experimentation.
• Community Benchmarks
Speedrunners finish in under 5 hours, but this is not representative of standard play.
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How Long to Beat Split Fiction
Split Fiction blends cooperative gameplay with narrative branching.
Time Investment Expectations
• Main Story (Solo or Co-op)
The average completion time is 10–12 hours, depending on decision-making speed.
• Branching Narrative Paths
Exploring alternate storylines increases total playtime to 16–18 hours.
• Co-op Dynamics
Coordination between players can either shorten or extend sessions.
• Replayability Factor
Multiple endings incentivize replays with different choices.
• Pacing Structure
The game is designed in episodic segments, making it easy to track progress.
• Comparison to Similar Titles
Comparable to It Takes Two but shorter in overall scope.
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How Long to Beat Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy is a massive open-world RPG set in the Wizarding World.
Detailed Completion Times
• Main Story Only
Focusing strictly on the main quest takes 30–35 hours.
• Main Story + Side Quests
Most players spend 50–60 hours engaging with character quests and exploration.
• 100% Completion
Completionists aiming for all collectibles, challenges, and achievements require 70–80+ hours.
• Exploration Impact
The open-world design encourages wandering, which can significantly increase playtime.
• Difficulty Settings
Combat difficulty affects progression speed but not dramatically.
• Player Choice Freedom
House selection and build experimentation influence replay value.
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How Long to Beat Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the most anticipated indie sequels.
Expected Completion Estimates (Based on Developer Info)
• Main Story Projection
Estimated 25–30 hours, similar to the original but more streamlined.
• Expanded Combat Systems
Increased enemy variety may extend average playtime.
• Exploration Scope
A vertical map design suggests denser exploration zones.
• Completionist Goals
Likely 50+ hours for full mastery.
• Skill Dependency
Fast reflexes reduce boss retry time significantly.
• Comparison to Hollow Knight
Expected to be slightly longer due to added mechanics.
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How Long to Beat Death Stranding
Death Stranding emphasizes traversal, narrative, and atmospheric storytelling.
Time Breakdown
• Main Story Completion
Typically 40–45 hours.
• Main + Side Deliveries
Players who assist NPCs and rebuild infrastructure spend 60–65 hours.
• Completionist Route
Achieving platinum status can exceed 100 hours.
• Traversal Learning Curve
Early gameplay is slow; efficiency improves over time.
• Narrative Density
Long cutscenes add to total playtime.
• Online Features
Shared structures can reduce individual effort.
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How Long to Beat Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza is a family-friendly platformer focused on fun and replayability.
Completion Time Overview
• Main Campaign
Usually completed in 8–10 hours.
• Bonus Levels & Secrets
Unlocking all hidden content takes 12–15 hours.
• Skill Influence
Experienced platformer players progress faster.
• Replay Value
Designed for repeat play with collectibles.
• Difficulty Scaling
Later levels significantly increase challenge.
• Audience Suitability
Ideal for casual and younger players.
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How Long to Beat Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima blends cinematic storytelling with open-world exploration.
Estimated Playtime
• Main Story Only
Approximately 25–30 hours.
• Main + Side Content
Engaging with side tales increases time to 45–50 hours.
• 100% Completion
Full completion requires 60+ hours.
• Combat Mastery
Stealth vs. combat choices affect speed.
• Exploration Incentives
Guiding wind mechanics encourage organic exploration.
• Director’s Cut Expansion
Iki Island adds an additional 8–10 hours.
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Conclusion
Knowing how long to beat a game empowers players to make informed choices about their time and money. From short narrative adventures to massive open-world epics, completion times vary widely based on playstyle, goals, and skill level. By understanding these factors, gamers can plan better, avoid burnout, and enjoy games on their own terms.
FAQs
Are “how long to beat” times accurate?
They are averages based on thousands of player submissions and provide reliable estimates.
Why does my playtime differ from estimates?
Skill level, exploration habits, difficulty settings, and completion goals all influence playtime.
Is completionist play worth it?
For lore lovers and achievement hunters, yes—but casual players may prefer main story paths.
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