Posted September 15, 2012

amok
FREEEEDOOOM!!!!
Registered: Sep 2008
From United Kingdom

Iain
Going Retro
Registered: Oct 2011
From United Kingdom
Posted September 15, 2012
Thing is with a lot of sites like that is that you get players who do the bare minimum to complete the game.
Sleeping Dogs is there for example and is sitting around the 10 hour mark to finish just the story which is about right. However, there is so much other stuff to do in that game which is actually interesting (missions and jobs), there is also collecting shrines, lockboxes, and random world events to do. Granted collecting the shrines and lockboxes can be a little tedious but they do show on your map when you have completed a few missions so you can select them as a waypoint which takes away the searching for hours.
My playthrough of Sleeping Dogs I collected everything and done all the missions and jobs and I finished up at 38 hours, it was great the time I spent with that game and thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Dark Souls, finally finished it a few weeks back. Took me just over 90 hours for my first playthrough, had been playing it since November last year when it was first released.
Farcry 2 however, I have put in 44 hours to the single player only and it is only showing around 68% complete and I have only done around half the extra missions on it. So it is now getting a bit long winded, hope Farcry 3 isn't the same overly long slog.
I don't usually look in to game lengths, if it is something that is exceptional and really interests me I can put in so many hours. If it starts getting tedious I will leave it be for a few months and go back to it to finish it.
Sleeping Dogs is there for example and is sitting around the 10 hour mark to finish just the story which is about right. However, there is so much other stuff to do in that game which is actually interesting (missions and jobs), there is also collecting shrines, lockboxes, and random world events to do. Granted collecting the shrines and lockboxes can be a little tedious but they do show on your map when you have completed a few missions so you can select them as a waypoint which takes away the searching for hours.
My playthrough of Sleeping Dogs I collected everything and done all the missions and jobs and I finished up at 38 hours, it was great the time I spent with that game and thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Dark Souls, finally finished it a few weeks back. Took me just over 90 hours for my first playthrough, had been playing it since November last year when it was first released.
Farcry 2 however, I have put in 44 hours to the single player only and it is only showing around 68% complete and I have only done around half the extra missions on it. So it is now getting a bit long winded, hope Farcry 3 isn't the same overly long slog.
I don't usually look in to game lengths, if it is something that is exceptional and really interests me I can put in so many hours. If it starts getting tedious I will leave it be for a few months and go back to it to finish it.

Dingbat Doodlehead
WebReg
Registered: May 2011
From United Kingdom
Posted September 15, 2012
I've done this a quite a few times over the years.
can be quite surprising.
Avadon: The Black Fortress average gameplay hours is reportedly 40 hours.
I spent 80 hours in there.
I'm not even a completionist - more an avid explorer.
I also use it sometimes to justify my habit: "look dear it only cost me £5 in the sale and I've spent 80 hours on it - how's that for value for money?"
can be quite surprising.
Avadon: The Black Fortress average gameplay hours is reportedly 40 hours.
I spent 80 hours in there.
I'm not even a completionist - more an avid explorer.
I also use it sometimes to justify my habit: "look dear it only cost me £5 in the sale and I've spent 80 hours on it - how's that for value for money?"

timppu
Favorite race: Formula__One
Registered: Jun 2011
From Finland
Posted September 15, 2012
Since I will not live forever in order to complete all my remaining games (more incoming all the time), I try to optimize the rest of my life by playing games at the same time as I watch TV, saving precious time for both activities. For some games like Dungeon Keeper or many RTS games, where there can be lots of waiting and they don't require your constant attention, it works better. For some others, I soon lose track what is happening on the movie or series that's running on the TV. So irritating!
Furthermore, I can't listen both to game music and TV (music) at the same time that well. Sometimes the music that comes from the game does not fit the mood of the movie at all, or vice versa. Why life has to be so complicated?
Furthermore, I can't listen both to game music and TV (music) at the same time that well. Sometimes the music that comes from the game does not fit the mood of the movie at all, or vice versa. Why life has to be so complicated?

Dingbat Doodlehead
WebReg
Registered: May 2011
From United Kingdom
Posted September 15, 2012

Furthermore, I can't listen both to game music and TV (music) at the same time that well. Sometimes the music that comes from the game does not fit the mood of the movie at all, or vice versa. Why life has to be so complicated?
Who says only women can multi-task.
P.S. being turn based also helped
Post edited September 15, 2012 by brianhutchison

DProject
Not Deus Ex
Registered: Dec 2009
From Finland

timppu
Favorite race: Formula__One
Registered: Jun 2011
From Finland
Posted September 15, 2012
2 years, 50 years, what's the difference? Still too little time. *tongue firmly in cheek*
But it is true that quite often I am glimpsing the TV while I play something. 99% of the stuff coming from the TV is fluff or reruns of 90s TV shows, but if something interesting comes out, I pause or exit the game and concentrate on TV.
I don't have only a game backlog, but also e.g. a movie backlog (mostly stuff recorded from the TV). But I'm harsher towards TV movies than games: if the movie doesn't catch my interest during the first 15-30 minutes, off it goes from the box. Or then, I just let it run to the end while I play.
But it is true that quite often I am glimpsing the TV while I play something. 99% of the stuff coming from the TV is fluff or reruns of 90s TV shows, but if something interesting comes out, I pause or exit the game and concentrate on TV.
I don't have only a game backlog, but also e.g. a movie backlog (mostly stuff recorded from the TV). But I'm harsher towards TV movies than games: if the movie doesn't catch my interest during the first 15-30 minutes, off it goes from the box. Or then, I just let it run to the end while I play.

DieRuhe
my glasses are dirty
Registered: Sep 2008
From United States
Posted September 15, 2012

Drakhyrr
Vulpes lagopus
Registered: Jun 2010
From Brazil
Posted September 15, 2012
I used to be against this, but lately I don't mind small games anymore (still not a fan of casual games, though). There's so much content being produced we will never have time to play through it all. Of course, I wouldn't buy a short game full priced, value for money still counts, but the value of time has taken priority.
It's kind of unnerving to keep in mind that I may never be able to play Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 from beginning to end. But one day, I will try.
It's kind of unnerving to keep in mind that I may never be able to play Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 from beginning to end. But one day, I will try.
Post edited September 15, 2012 by Drakhyrr

phduffy
New User
Registered: Oct 2010
From Canada
Posted September 16, 2012

I usually like to know how much time is left (if a game is either good or bad, it's good to know how far along you are).
Does anyone else check the game length, and does it affect your decision to buy a game?

TEgotisticalTwat
Registered: May 2011
From United Kingdom
Posted September 16, 2012

I usually like to know how much time is left (if a game is either good or bad, it's good to know how far along you are).
Does anyone else check the game length, and does it affect your decision to buy a game?

I have the same thoughts on gaming. A shorter game that is more fun to play through is better than a 50+ hour game with minimal content.

Leroux
Major Blockhead
Registered: Apr 2010
From Germany
Posted September 16, 2012
The ironic thing is that casual games are immense time sinks. While you're still pondering over whether it's worth it to start a long RPG from your backlog, you'll already have spent 20+ hours on a "small" casual game without even realizing it. ;)
(Even worse with MMOs, I guess, but thankfully I always stayed clear of them.)
(Even worse with MMOs, I guess, but thankfully I always stayed clear of them.)

Navagon
Easily Persuaded
Registered: Dec 2008
From United Kingdom
Posted September 16, 2012
I got certain expectations given the price and the genre. But eventually most games reach a price where their measly length isn't so disagreeable.

tarangwydion
Lazy GOGer
Registered: May 2010
From Indonesia

TEgotisticalTwat
Registered: May 2011
From United Kingdom
Posted September 17, 2012


Even with a walkthrough/video guide it was frustrating for me. But i'm glad you managed to complete it. You deserve a medal for doing that, lol.
I just watched the rest of the story on youtube to get the gist of things and see the ending.