Multiplayer games are easy to spend a lot of time in, since the allure of playing games with or against human opponents while enjoying a steady stream of updates is something that fans find easy to invest in. Single-player games, however, tend to have a defined start and end point, with a few updates and expansions to keep fans coming back for more.
37 Games With The Saddest Storylines, Ranked
Games have, over the decades, evolved to place greater emphasis on their narratives, and here are some which deliver stunningly emotional stories.
This is why single-player games with lengthy runtimes become all the more riveting to enjoy. The fact that these games can comfortably keep fans engaged for hundreds of hours speaks volumes when it comes to how immaculately they're crafted.
Kenshi
Players Will Eventually Grow Into This Game As They Slowly Understand How It Works
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
Kenshi is not a game for the faint of heart. This title unceremoniously drops players into a wasteland where they must figure out how to carve out a legacy for themselves or die trying.
It's a ruthless way to start the game, but players who are patient and willing to adjust to the game's overbearing difficulty will soon find themselves completely absorbed in a game that doesn't present them with any main goal to build toward. Whether players want to be travelling merchants or stronghold leaders, they will love the hundreds of hours that went into them becoming one of the most powerful figures in the world of Kenshi.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
With The Game's Lauded Expansions, A Playthrough Can Take Countless Hours
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the biggest and most ambitious RPGs of all time, which will keep fans occupied for hours on end with the base game alone. The quest to find Ciri is a lengthy one that becomes even more time-consuming if players get immersed in the game's many tantalizing side stories, as they should.
On top of this, The Witcher 3 features two of the greatest expansion packs ever made for a video game that rival the length of full-blown games! All of this makes it easy to see why fans who want to see Geralt's adventures to completion will comfortably spend more than a hundred hours in this title.
Baldur's Gate 3
One Of The Most Jam-Packed CRPGs Players Can Get Lost In
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 turned into one of the greatest RPGs ever made in no time, in no small part because of the sheer amount of work Larian put into this masterpiece. The improved presentation ensured that players would love every second they spent in this epic role-playing masterpiece.
16 Open-World Games With The Best Stories, Ranked
The focus in open-world games is often placed on explorations and player freedom, but some titles manage to tell awesome stories, too.
Trying to take out the illithid parasite in the heroes' minds ends up being a far more epic experience than anyone could've expected. Each Act in Baldur's Gate 3 feels like an entirely different game, which is why players can spend a hundred hours without being anywhere close to the ending.
Octopath Traveler 2
A Great Modern JRPG That's Jam-Packed With Content
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T for Teen for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Octopath Traveler 2 is one of the greatest sequels that improved upon many things from its predecessor. The individual stories are less predictable, exploration is better than ever before, and the combat features enough improvements to wow fans of the first game.
As one would expect, this title takes a ridiculously long time to complete and ensures that players will be spellbound throughout the experience. All eight stories end up building up to a fantastic conclusion that was missing from the first game, ensuring that this adventure ends on a high note.
Red Dead Redemption 2
One Of The Most Immersive Open-World Games That Will Suck A Ton Of Hours In No Time
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most epic open-world games ever made that fans can't get enough of to this day. Arthur Morgan transformed from a protagonist everyone was iffy about into one of the greatest characters in gaming, who plays a major role in this game's incredible plot about outlaws struggling to survive in a world that is leaving them behind.
Arthur's epic journey features a tantalizing story and a ton of things to do in the open world that will keep fans engaged for a long, long time. Hunting, fishing, gambling, and robbing are just a few of the many side activities fans can get invested in, ensuring that this game will last them for over a hundred hours if they want to do everything possible.
Elden Ring
The Base Game, Coupled With The Expansions, Can Lead To Hundreds Of Hours Of Enjoyment
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
FromSoftware broke new ground with Elden Ring, an open-world action RPG that's in a class of its own. The Lands Between are full of memorable locations to explore as players get stronger on their own terms and eventually take down bosses who are giving them a hard time.
The Best Local Co-Op Games on Steam (Couch & Split-Screen Included)
Find the best local co-op and split-screen games on Steam, from couch classics to modern hits perfect for friends, families, and offline play.
The base game is ridiculously lengthy as is, only for Shadow of the Erdtree to give players another excuse to invest more hours in this game. It's a magical experience that will leave fans on the edge of their seats for hundreds of hours as they experiment with multiple different builds and weapons to see what is perfect for them.
RimWorld
Once Players Get Over The Learning Curve, This Colony Sim Is Absorbing
RimWorld
- Released
- October 17, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
For a game with procedurally generated characters, it's amazing how RimWorld's gameplay causes players to form a genuine emotional bond with their colonists. The game is brutal for beginners, with players having to spend around ten hours just to get a hang of how things work.
Once this is accomplished, RimWorld's organic storytelling and compelling simulation gameplay never get tiring. Players can choose one of three AI storytellers who keep things fresh and engaging across multiple playthroughs.
Fallout: New Vegas
One Of The Greatest RPGs Ever Made That Will Keep Players Occupied For Years
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
New Vegas is one of the greatest video games ever made that single-handedly turned Obsidian Entertainment into everyone's favorite RPG darlings. This amazing Fallout title lets players step into the shoes of the Courier as they take revenge for getting shot in the head, only for the plot to blow wide open once they reach the fated city of New Vegas.
A game that already spans numerous hours becomes even more epic as players deal with different factions to decide who gets to control this city. On top of this, New Vegas also has four incredible pieces of DLC that are worth experiencing and bump up the playtime considerably.
27 Great Games with Long Co-Op Campaigns
Whether you're playing side-by-side or over long distances, these long-term co-op campaigns are great for bonding with friends, partners, and family.