Open World Vs Linear Rpgs Do Players Actually Finish Massive Games

In the evolving landscape of video game design, two dominant philosophies shape how players experience role-playing games: open world and linear structures. Open-world RPGs offer vast landscapes to explore, branching narratives, and near-limitless freedom. Linear RPGs guide players through tightly curated stories with focused pacing and narrative momentum. But as game worlds grow larger—some exceeding 100 hours of content—a critical question emerges: do players actually finish these massive games?

The answer isn’t straightforward. While blockbuster titles like The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Elden Ring are celebrated for their depth and scale, data suggests many players never reach the end credits. Understanding why requires a closer look at design philosophy, player psychology, and the hidden costs of “more.”

The Allure and Burden of Open Worlds

Open-world RPGs promise freedom. Players can climb mountains, discover hidden caves, engage in side quests, or ignore the main story entirely. This autonomy is empowering, but it also introduces a paradox: too much choice can lead to paralysis. When every path feels equally valid, motivation to complete any single one diminishes.

Studies from gaming analytics firms like SteamSpy and HowLongToBeat reveal that completion rates for open-world titles are surprisingly low. For example, only about 24% of players who start The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild report finishing the main storyline. Similarly, Ghost of Tsushima sees completion rates hovering around 20–25%. These numbers don't reflect poor quality—they reflect design complexity and time investment.

Massive open worlds often suffer from \"completion fatigue.\" Players begin enthusiastically, completing early quests and exploring key regions. But as hours accumulate and novelty fades, many disengage. Side content, while rich, rarely carries the emotional weight of the central narrative, making it easy to abandon.

Tip: If you're struggling to finish an open-world RPG, try focusing solely on the main questline—disable notifications for side activities to reduce distraction.

Linear RPGs: Focus Over Freedom

In contrast, linear RPGs such as Final Fantasy X, Disco Elysium, or Planescape: Torment follow a predetermined path. Environments are smaller, progression is gated, and narrative arcs are tightly controlled. This structure fosters a stronger sense of forward momentum.

Data shows higher completion rates for linear RPGs. Titles like Disco Elysium boast completion rates above 40%, despite complex themes and minimal combat. The reason? A clear direction. Players know where they’re going and why. There’s less room for aimless wandering or decision fatigue.

Linear design also allows developers to craft escalating tension and character development more effectively. Every scene builds toward a climax. Without the burden of maintaining hundreds of square miles of explorable terrain, studios can invest more in writing, voice acting, and environmental storytelling within confined spaces.

“Linearity isn’t a limitation—it’s a tool for emotional focus. When every moment serves the story, players are more likely to see it through.” — Lena Torres, Narrative Designer at Obsidian Entertainment

Completion Rates: What the Data Tells Us

Platforms like HowLongToBeat aggregate user-submitted data to estimate not just playtime, but completion behavior. Their statistics highlight a consistent trend: larger games have lower completion rates.

Game	Genre	Avg. Playtime (Main Story)	Estimated Completion Rate
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	Open World RPG	50 hours	~32%
Elden Ring	Open World Action RPG	57 hours	~28%
Disco Elysium	Linear RPG	30 hours	~41%
Final Fantasy X	Linear RPG	35 hours	~45%
Horizon Zero Dawn	Open World RPG	30 hours	~26%

This table illustrates a pattern: games with expansive worlds and high total playtimes tend to have lower completion percentages. It's not just about length—though that plays a role—but about structural demands on attention and commitment.

Another factor is modern gaming culture. Many players treat games like buffet-style entertainment, sampling multiple titles rather than committing to one. With subscription services like Game Pass offering instant access to dozens of RPGs, the incentive to finish one before starting another has diminished.

Why Players Don’t Finish Massive Games

Several interrelated factors explain why so many players abandon large RPGs before reaching the end:

• Time constraints: Modern life leaves little room for 50+ hour commitments. Even dedicated gamers may take months to finish a single title, increasing the chance of dropping off.
• Lack of urgency: Open worlds rarely impose deadlines. Without consequences for delay, players can drift indefinitely between objectives.
• Side content overload: Bounties, collectibles, and mini-games fragment attention. Completing “everything” becomes overwhelming, so many stop altogether.
• Narrative dilution: In sprawling games, the central story can feel buried under layers of optional content, reducing emotional investment.
• Technical fatigue: Repetitive mechanics, enemy types, and fetch quests erode engagement over time.

Interestingly, some players report feeling guilt or shame about unfinished games—a phenomenon dubbed “backlog anxiety.” Gamers purchase or download titles with good intentions, only to let them gather digital dust. This emotional toll underscores the mismatch between marketing (which emphasizes size and scope) and actual player behavior.

Mini Case Study: One Player’s Journey Through Skyrim

Mark, a 34-year-old software developer and long-time RPG fan, bought The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on launch day in 2011. He played religiously for three weeks, logging over 60 hours. He joined the Thieves Guild, explored ancient Nordic ruins, and even cleared the main Dragonborn quest up to the Greybeards.

Then life intervened. Work deadlines mounted. His partner wasn’t interested in co-op play. Eventually, he stopped launching the game. Years later, during a re-release on next-gen consoles, he tried again—only to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of uncompleted quests.

“I love the world,” Mark says, “but I never felt any pressure to finish. I could always come back tomorrow. And because of that, I never really had to commit.”

He finally completed the main story in 2023—12 years after first playing—after using a mod that disabled all side quests and fast-tracked progression. “It felt strange,” he admits. “Like I was cheating. But it was the only way I’d ever see the ending.”

Designing for Completion: What Works

Some developers are responding to low completion rates with innovative design choices. Instead of assuming players will finish, they ensure meaningful experiences even for partial playthroughs.

Games like Outer Wilds embrace non-linear exploration but use time loops to compress narrative impact into shorter sessions. Others, like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, introduce mid-game save import systems that allow players to jump into later chapters without replaying earlier content—a feature praised by time-limited players.

Meanwhile, indie titles such as Eastshade or Wanderstop reject scale altogether, offering intimate, 10–15 hour experiences designed to be completed in a weekend. These games prioritize emotional closure over content volume.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Actually Finish That RPG You Started

If you’ve got a backlog full of half-finished adventures, here’s a practical approach to seeing one through:

1. Choose one game—not five. Close your library and pick the title you most want to complete.
2. Set a schedule. Dedicate 1–2 hours per week, or three shorter sessions. Consistency matters more than marathon play.
3. Disable distractions. Turn off side quest markers or use mods that hide optional content until the main story is done.
4. Track progress. Use a notebook or app to log milestones. Seeing advancement reinforces motivation.
5. Play with purpose. Remind yourself why you started—was it the characters? The lore? Reconnect with that initial excitement.
6. Allow breaks, not abandonment. It’s okay to pause for weeks, but set a return date.

Tip: Try playing during low-stimulation times—early mornings or late nights—when you’re less likely to be interrupted.

FAQ: Common Questions About RPG Completion

Does game length directly affect completion rates?

Not always, but it’s a strong predictor. Beyond 40 hours, completion rates drop significantly unless the game maintains exceptional pacing and engagement. Shorter games (under 20 hours) often see higher finish rates due to lower time investment.

Are open-world games inherently harder to finish?

Structurally, yes. The abundance of choices, lack of narrative urgency, and potential for content bloat make sustained engagement more difficult. However, well-designed open worlds with compelling central conflicts—like Red Dead Redemption 2—can still achieve relatively high completion rates (~35%) by anchoring exploration to character-driven storytelling.

Is it bad if I don’t finish a game?

No. Games are art and entertainment, not obligations. If you enjoyed 20 hours of exploration in Horizon Forbidden West but lost interest, that’s still value gained. The goal is meaningful experience, not checkbox completion.

Conclusion: Rethinking Success in RPG Design

The assumption that “bigger is better” is being quietly challenged by both players and designers. While open-world RPGs continue to dominate sales charts, their low completion rates suggest a disconnect between ambition and accessibility. Linear RPGs, though sometimes dismissed as outdated, often deliver more cohesive, emotionally resonant experiences that players are more likely to finish.

Ultimately, finishing a game shouldn’t be the sole measure of its worth. But for those who crave narrative closure, understanding the psychological and structural forces at play can help bridge the gap between starting and finishing.

As players, we can be more intentional—choosing fewer games and seeing them through. As an industry, developers might consider designing not just for scale, but for satisfaction. Perhaps the future of RPGs isn’t measured in square miles or quest counts, but in how many players say, “I made it to the end.”

💬 What’s the last RPG you actually finished? Did you choose it for its length, story, or structure? Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what keeps you playing to the end.