Regardless of the genre, adventure undoubtedly forms the basis of almost every narrative-driven game. For many players, games serve as a form of escape from reality, providing exciting experiences like exploring new worlds, meeting new characters, and living through unforgettable events firsthand. When looking for all these things at once, a game's length could be an important factor to consider, especially if players have plenty of free time on their hands to truly dive into the journey.
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Now, before rushing to the comments to provide a clear definition of what the adventure genre is, and pointing out that we definitely got it wrong here, please note that the games below aren't really bound by strict genre rules, and there are most likely few to no traditional adventure games lasting over 100 hours. Instead, we focus on games across various genres that emphasize mostly the sense of adventure — large-scale journeys, exciting events, plenty of discovery, etc. For players looking for something exactly like that, below are some great games that provide the feeling of a never-ending adventure lasting over 100 hours.
For the titles below, average completionist times from HowLongToBeat are used, which means the listed numbers can vary for each player.
Elite Dangerous
Completionist Time: 500+ Hours
Specifically described by the developers as an “open-world adventure,” Elite Dangerous offers almost unmatched scope on a cosmic scale. The main story for the game already takes over 100 hours, but the most dedicated fans play hundreds more, with the game's current “completionist” value standing at some 677 hours. In other words, it is an adventure for the ages, a game where some fans can literally live and spend all their free time.
Of course, that's provided that players are die-hard fans of spaceships, breathtaking space vistas, and flying for hours to discover what the universe holds. For those who want to add some really exciting gameplay features, the Odyssey expansion is a must, allowing players to land on planet surfaces and get out of their ships for a completely different feel to Elite Dangerous.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Completionist Time: 250 Hours
The closest game here to the classic adventure format, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom prioritizes puzzle-solving and exploration over combat, delivering a true sense of wonder as players discover this version of Hyrule. With its fascinating world, unrestricted exploration, some of the deepest and most flexible crafting mechanics of all time, and tons of puzzles to solve in the most creative ways, Tears of the Kingdom stands among the best-rated games ever made for a reason.
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This sequel is also bigger in every regard compared to the already colossal Breath of the Wild, packed with new areas and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics. Of course, true Zelda fans can also choose to play Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom back-to-back, which can easily take an entire year of daily play.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Completionist Time: 175 Hours
Over the years, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has become a benchmark for some of the most complete action-RPGs ever made, with a perfect sense of adventure in a vast world. Packing a cinematic main narrative with dozens of memorable twists, a choice-based nature for almost every quest, a touching personal layer, and some of the most beloved and recognizable characters in video game fantasy, even a decade later, players just can't go wrong when choosing The Witcher 3 as their next epic adventure.
Completing everything that The Witcher 3 offers may take over 170 hours — and that's just the base game we're talking about. CDPR also released two sizable expansions, easily some of the best DLCs ever made, so there's no question that Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are worth playing. Just prepare to spend around 230 hours in the company of Geralt of Rivia and his friends.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Completionist Time: 165 Hours
As fans wait for the grand finale to Final Fantasy 7's epic three-part remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth continues to win over almost everyone who gives it a try. Rebirth is a truly sprawling adventure set in a vibrant world of rare beauty, with equally captivating characters, an intense story full of twists and turns, and genuine emotions. With all of that on the table, it could be a perfect pick for this holiday season.
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Rebirth is easily twice as big as the first Final Fantasy 7 Remake, with a true open world to explore, considerably expanded plotlines and character arcs, and an array of mini-games to pour hours upon hours into. Players can expect over 150 hours of memorable adventures in the company of Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, Yuffie, and many others.
My Time At Sandrock
Completionist Time: 150 Hours
A different kind of adventure, My Time at Sandrock (a twin brother to My Time at Portia) welcomes players to the desert community in a cozy life-sim adventure that's more about the process rather than the end goal. For its sandbox farming appeal, My Time at Sandrock is not only vivid and colorful, but also very generous the various activities and mini-games it offers, as players can pour dozens of hours into the game, and it will stay entertaining for over 100 hours.
My Time at Sandrock isn't all lighthearted work for the benefit of the community; it's also exploration-heavy for adventurers looking for hard-to-reach areas that reward valuables, with enough combat encounters to keep players on their toes with approachable yet dynamic, robust combat. Topping the package, My Time at Sandrock is literally brimming with intriguing characters with fleshed-out backstories and personal quests, allowing players to really connect with them on their adventure.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Completionist Time: 145 Hours
Almost any entry from the expansive Assassin's Creed series could qualify as an exciting adventure through rich historical backdrops, but Assassin's Creed Odyssey is an easy pick for the most sprawling and epic adventure in the series to date. AC Odyssey has it all: unserious quests with funny characters, dynamic combat fueled by godlike abilities, mythical creatures to seek out and fight, an epic main plot with family ties worthy of a Greek tragedy, and much more.
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Not only will players experience some of the brightest and sunniest areas in the stunningly beautiful open world of Ancient Greece, but they're in for a 150-hour journey as the captain of their own ship, the Adrestia, traveling from island to island and driven by personal agendas and a thirst for adventure. After all, it's named Odyssey for a reason.
Elden Ring
Completionist Time: 135 Hours
Even if Elden Ring seems shorter when compared to the completionist times of previous games, clocking in at around 140 hours to do everything, it takes much longer than that, especially for inexperienced Soulslike players who don't rely on guides. Not to mention that Elden Ring can easily outshine many open-world titles with the sheer scope of its adventure and an unforgettable epic journey that awaits players in The Lands Between.
Despite the genre's notorious difficulty, players who are still hesitant about starting their Elden Ring adventure shouldn't worry too much. The game offers plenty of tools and shortcuts to make the experience more manageable, presuming that players won't simply rush toward every elite enemy they see. If approached gradually and without rushing things, Elden Ring provides an unmatched variety of places to visit, enemies to face, and stories to live through.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Completionist Time: 130 Hours
Dragon Age: Inquisition has aged beautifully, standing among the series' best adventures with a truly epic scope and high stakes. Leading the Inquisition against the world-ending threat, players are in for some 130 hours of breathtaking adventures sprinkled all across Thedas, backed by an intriguing story with enough surprises, tough choices, and some of the best companions BioWare has ever delivered.
Not having a seamless open-world actually works to the benefit of Dragon Age: Inquisition, as the game offers large, explorable locations that can differ wildly in their visuals and atmosphere, ranging from hot deserts to eerie swamps and mythical forests. The geography alone provides a never-ending variety for players, and there are also some of the most epic dragon boss fights that fantasy lovers can find tucked away in the game's fantastic campaign.
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