Can a game be too long?

[Cerzelo]

Really depends on the game, but yes.

I mean, I racked up over 400 days of playing time over multiple characters on WoW (I know its not exactly a game that "ends" per-say or have a defined amount of playing time) and it was fantastic, I have only recently deleted my account after years of playing, yet other games I feel like screaming JUST F*CKING FINISH ALREADY after 4 hours of playing because I am so bored of getting some guys mail because I need him to give me a key for another guy who won't tell me where anyother guy is....

 

[GonzoGamer]

For as much fun as it is, I would say Just Cause 2 is a little too long. If not long, then big. Way too massive. I believe I've played about 50 hours without even scratching the surface.

TOO big? I think it's perfect. It's really the only recent console game that gives you that sense of scale.

That's what I loved about the game as well. I like any game that gives you a lot to do after you've finished the main missions.
If a game is really good, there's no way it can be too long. GTA San Andreas just kept going and going but it was one of my favorite ps2 games so I never complained. I played that to 100%. Fallout 3 is a more recent example. The main story wasn't that long but you could explore the world for 100s of hours and I never got tired of that.

 

[Cowabungaa]

OT: There isn't one, for me. I enjoy long games, so games with 50-300 hours worth of play time are always nice.
Especially considering that most single player games nowadays are only between 6-15 hours of playing, which can get pretty annoying and wallet-damaging.

I do too, except when that 50-300 hours is filled with exactly the same boring crap. Long games are awesome, but quality first.

Example of how not to do it; Red Dead Redemption. Mexico added fairly little to character development (actually it screwed it up a lot) and the story. It didn't offer anything really exciting gameplay-wise and seemed to be there just to lengthen the playtime. In that case it's just a waste of my time.

 

[Wondermint13]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

But as far content and story is concerned, I wouldnt complain. Thats what we call 'getting your money's worth' where I'm from.
Bonus features and extra content is always a plus!

 

[GeorgW]

It can definitely be too padded. And actually yeah, they can be too long. I've complained about games being too long several times, but seem to be the only one. ME2 for example was too damn long. I was at 40 hours when I stopped playing and hadn't even gotten halfway into the story yet. I know I could have gotten through it quicker, but that's not the way I play games. And before you all flame me, I liked the game and will finish it. I just need a break cuz it's too damn long. But that's just me, I'm fickle.

I don't think I've ever heard someone complain about a game being too long. Too short, god yes, but never too long. (A bit like penis.)

My GF has complained that penises can be too long. I'm not bragging, just saying that you don't need it to be too long and it can get in the way. The more you know. *pling plong*

 

[GeorgW]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

But as far content and story is concerned, I wouldnt complain. Thats what we call 'getting your moneies worth' where I'm from.
Bonus features and extra content is always a plus!

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

 

[Wondermint13]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

Sorry Hypno Frog, I was simply appealing to the casual gamers. I think my old FF7 file still holds about 114 hours now.

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

I don't think I've ever heard someone complain about a game being too long. Too short, god yes, but never too long. (A bit like penis.) So, tell us in your honest opinion, what game(s) would you consider too long?

I personally think a game that is too long would be one with long stretches of game play between story.

It's a relative term for me. A 20 hour game can be too long for me if it's too dull. I think a game that was too long would simply be one that stretches on too long. One that makes you say "Dear GOD! I'm not done yet?"

The metal gear games are too long for me. I don't like games that are too cinematic. I just sit there going "Can I play now?"

In an objective term, a game where the main story takes about 60-70 hours to beat would be too long. I can see myself having fun for a long time with certain games, as long as the game keeps me interested

 

[GeorgW]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

Sorry Hypno Frog, I was simply appealing to the casual gamers. I think my old FF7 file still holds about 114 hours now.

114 is nothing, damn it!!
And it's Hypnotoad, damn it!!!
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD, DAMN IT!!!

 

[WorldCritic]

Only if it really drags things out. I remember someone telling me once that Halo (the original) was too long of a game and it took him months to finish. Obviously that's a bull shit claim, but whatever.

 

[Wondermint13]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

Sorry Hypno Frog, I was simply appealing to the casual gamers. I think my old FF7 file still holds about 114 hours now.

114 is nothing, damn it!!
And it's Hypnotoad, damn it!!!
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD, DAMN IT!!!

..Now what makes that a toad?

 

[GeorgW]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

Sorry Hypno Frog, I was simply appealing to the casual gamers. I think my old FF7 file still holds about 114 hours now.

114 is nothing, damn it!!
And it's Hypnotoad, damn it!!!
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD, DAMN IT!!!

..Now what makes that a toad?

The hypnosis. Now obey it!!

 

[Wondermint13]

Hm...
Like many RPGs a game can be long because it expects you to level your parties to a certain standard and thats why your total play time ends up being 50-72 hours. But thats practically 90% of the gameplay when it comes to that sort of game.

50-72 hours?? I won't play a portable RPG if I won't get at least over 100 hours from it! But I take my time and like to explore.

Sorry Hypno Frog, I was simply appealing to the casual gamers. I think my old FF7 file still holds about 114 hours now.

114 is nothing, damn it!!
And it's Hypnotoad, damn it!!!
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD, DAMN IT!!!

..Now what makes that a toad?

The hypnosis. Now obey it!!

Fine... Go Hypnotoad!! Whoot!!

 

[BlueSinbad]

If it's not suited to a long gametime like an FPS etc, I'd give anything to have a never ending(ish) JRPG like Final Fantasy

 

[ssgt splatter]

Yes, just like it can be too short.
*stares angerly at Star Wars the force unleashed 2*

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Snip

A game can be any length as long as the story keeps being engaging and the gameplay doesn't feel dull. It becomes quite a challenge to keep any game interesting past 50 hours, but it can be done.

 

[Mike Laserbeam]

Haven't read many of the posts before this but, I find a TON of games to be too long.
If it's boring, it's too long
If I'm mildly interested in the story but I have to drag myself through hours of terrible gameplay between any plot advancement, it's too long.
If a game only starts to get good 20 hours in, that shit's too long! (I'm looking at YOU FFXIII!)
Even with a really fun game, if it doesn't pull itself together and pay out some interesting plot sooner or later, it'll get old, so it's too long.

I often don't actually get annoyed at games being too short, because in my eyes a truly brilliant game will deliver as much as it can, in as short time as possible. That's not to say I hate games that are long, just that they need to consistently be fun!

Edit: Modern FPS campaigns? TOO DAMN LONG! I'm not kidding! I know they're usually only 10 hours or so, but they're boring as hell! I couldn't sit through more that 2 levels of the new Medal of Honor without getting incredibly bored of how repetitive it was, and thinking "This level is really dragging on..."

 

[Terminate421]

Grand theft auto 4 seemed to have no end in sight

 

[Connor2224]

in short yes in long yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

 

[Yarpie]

Yes they can, but the "too long mark" varies depending on how interesting the gameplay and the story is. For example, I did not finish Lost Odyssey because I simply could not be arsed to climb another god damn tower. I had done it several times already, and every time it became anticlimactic. I know I was very close to the end, but frankly I felt no incentive to continue.

Same thing with Tales of Vesperia. Loved the game up to a certain point, but after I had gone though what felt like a final dungeon and defeated what seemed like a final boss, only to have the game continue, I lost all interest.

Finally, I had a similar problem with Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. When I got to the final area and the game begun throwing bosses at me that I had already beaten, I felt like I was knee deep in fluff. I finished the game, but I really didn't enjoy the final section, nor the final boss.