Open World Vs Linear Rpgs Do You Actually Finish 100 Hour Games

For many gamers, the allure of a sprawling fantasy world or a deeply written narrative is irresistible. Titles like The Witcher 3, Elden Ring, and Final Fantasy XVI promise dozens—if not hundreds—of hours of gameplay. But how many players actually complete these massive experiences? And does the structure of the game—open world versus linear—play a decisive role in whether someone sees it through to the end?

The truth is, most people don’t finish 100-hour RPGs. Industry estimates suggest that completion rates for long-form games hover between 20% and 35%, even for critically acclaimed titles. This raises an important question: are we designing games that reward engagement, or simply inflate playtime with filler content? More importantly, as players, should we feel guilty about leaving epic journeys unfinished?

The Myth of the \"Finished\" Game

Completion isn’t always black and white. In open world RPGs, “finishing” can mean anything from beating the main story to clearing every side quest, collecting every item, and unlocking all achievements. Linear RPGs, by contrast, offer a more defined path. You follow the story from beginning to end, with limited deviation. Because of this, completion feels more tangible.

Open world games often measure success in exploration and discovery. But that freedom comes at a cost: bloat. Side activities may start strong but devolve into repetitive tasks—fetch quests, enemy camps, collectibles scattered across vast landscapes. Over time, these mechanics lose their charm, and players disengage.

“Many modern RPGs aren’t designed to be completed—they’re designed to be experienced selectively.” — David Crane, Game Design Lecturer at NYU Game Center

This shift reflects a broader change in how we consume games. We treat them more like theme parks than novels. We pick and choose what excites us, then move on when the novelty fades. That doesn’t make us bad players—it makes us discerning consumers.

Open World RPGs: Freedom vs. Fatigue

Open world RPGs thrive on scale. Games like Skyrim, Breath of the Wild, and Starfield invite players to lose themselves in expansive worlds filled with secrets. The appeal lies in autonomy: you decide where to go, when to progress the story, and which paths to pursue.

But that freedom introduces a psychological hurdle: decision fatigue. When every mountain pass hides another shrine, and every cave contains a minor quest, players often feel overwhelmed rather than empowered. The initial sense of wonder gives way to obligation. Suddenly, exploring feels less like adventure and more like homework.

Tip: If an open world game starts to feel exhausting, focus only on the main quest and one or two meaningful side arcs. You’ll retain enjoyment without burnout.

Moreover, many open world games suffer from content inflation. Developers pad runtime with low-effort tasks to justify price points or marketing claims (“100+ hours of gameplay!”). But quantity rarely equals quality. A single well-crafted side story can resonate more than fifty generic fetch quests.

Linear RPGs: Focus, Pacing, and Completion

Linear RPGs—such as Final Fantasy X, Persona 5, or Nier: Automata—guide players along a tightly scripted journey. While they may include optional content, the core experience is curated. This structure fosters stronger narrative pacing and emotional investment.

Because progression is clear and consequences are immediate, players are more likely to finish linear RPGs. There’s less ambiguity about what to do next, fewer distractions, and a stronger sense of momentum. When the story grabs you, it pulls you forward.

Linear design also allows for deeper world-building within constrained spaces. Instead of spreading thin across a continent, developers concentrate resources on key locations, characters, and events. The result is often a more cohesive, memorable experience.

Aspect	Open World RPGs	Linear RPGs
Average Completion Rate	15–25%	30–50%
Main Story Length	30–50 hours	40–60 hours
Full 100% Completion Time	100–200+ hours	60–80 hours
Narrative Focus	Decentralized, episodic	Centralized, character-driven
Player Autonomy	High	Moderate to Low

The data suggests a trend: players are more likely to finish games with clearer goals and tighter pacing. That doesn’t diminish the value of open worlds, but it highlights a fundamental trade-off between freedom and focus.

Why Most Players Don’t Finish 100-Hour Games

It’s easy to assume that dropping a long RPG means a lack of discipline or interest. But the reality is far more nuanced. Several factors contribute to low completion rates:

• Time Investment: Modern life leaves little room for 100-hour commitments. Work, family, and other hobbies compete for attention.
• Diminishing Returns: After 40–50 hours, many games repeat mechanics without adding meaningful new content.
• Lack of Narrative Urgency: Open world games often delay major plot developments, weakening motivation to continue.
• Game Design Priorities: Some studios prioritize metrics (hours played) over emotional payoff, leading to bloated experiences.
• Mental Bandwidth: Sustaining focus over months—or even years—for a single game is unrealistic for most people.

A 2023 survey by GameAnalytics found that the average player spends 7.2 hours per week gaming. At that rate, finishing a 100-hour game takes nearly six months—assuming no breaks, no distractions, and unwavering motivation. Realistically, most players cycle through multiple titles during that time.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Experience with The Witcher 3

Sarah, a 32-year-old software developer, bought The Witcher 3 on launch day. She spent weekends exploring Velen and completing early quests, captivated by the world and characters. By hour 35, she had finished the first two major story arcs and dozens of side missions.

Then life intervened. A project deadline forced her to pause gaming for three weeks. When she returned, she struggled to remember objectives and lost emotional connection with the story. The map was still littered with icons—dungeons, contracts, treasure hunts—but none felt urgent. She played sporadically for another 10 hours before uninstalling the game.

“I didn’t quit because I disliked it,” she said. “I quit because it stopped feeling rewarding. I’d already gotten what I wanted—the Geralt-Ciri relationship, the political intrigue. The rest felt like obligation.”

Sarah’s story is common. Many players extract the core value of a game early on and disengage once the novelty fades. This isn’t failure—it’s efficient consumption.

How to Actually Finish Long RPGs (If You Want To)

If your goal is to complete a 100-hour RPG, strategy matters. Blindly charging forward leads to burnout. Instead, adopt intentional habits that sustain motivation and preserve enjoyment.

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what “finished” means to you. Is it the main story? All DLC? 100% completion? Be realistic.
2. Create a Play Schedule: Dedicate consistent time slots—e.g., two evenings and one weekend session per week.
3. Limit Distractions: Avoid starting other major games while deep in a long RPG. Context switching kills momentum.
4. Focus on Narrative Beats: Prioritize story missions if plot drives your interest. Return to side content later if desired.
5. Track Progress Visually: Use checklists or achievement trackers to see advancement and stay motivated.
6. Take Breaks Strategically: Pause after major milestones, not mid-quest. This prevents disorientation upon return.

Tip: Use a physical notebook or digital doc to jot down character motivations, lore, and objectives. It helps maintain continuity during long play sessions.

Checklist: Maximizing Completion Odds in Long RPGs

• ✅ Define your personal completion criteria
• ✅ Block out weekly playtime in your calendar
• ✅ Disable unnecessary side quest markers if they cause overwhelm
• ✅ Enable subtitles and take notes on key story points
• ✅ Join a community or forum for accountability and discussion
• ✅ Celebrate milestones (e.g., finishing an act or region)

Expert Insight: What Developers Say About Completion

Not all developers expect players to finish their games. Some design with the assumption that most will experience only a fraction of the content.

“We build worlds, not just stories. If a player remembers one moment—the smell of rain in Novigrad, the weight of a decision, the melody of a bard’s song—we’ve succeeded.” — Mariko Tanaka, Lead Designer at Silver Horizon Studios

This philosophy shifts the focus from completion to impact. Rather than measuring success by completion rates, studios increasingly value emotional resonance and player agency. An unfinished game can still be transformative.

Still, some developers actively combat bloat. Hidetaka Miyazaki, director of Elden Ring and Dark Souls, has spoken about “meaningful density”—ensuring that every area, enemy, and item contributes to the experience. Even in open worlds, he avoids filler by embedding narrative and mechanical depth into every encounter.

FAQ: Common Questions About RPG Completion

Is it okay to not finish a long RPG?

Absolutely. Games are a form of entertainment, not homework. If you’ve enjoyed the journey, extracted value, or learned something new, you haven’t failed—you’ve engaged meaningfully.

Are open world games worse than linear ones?

No. They serve different purposes. Open world games excel at exploration and player-driven storytelling. Linear games shine in narrative cohesion and pacing. Preference depends on your mood, time, and priorities.

What’s the shortest 100-hour RPG?

There’s no such thing. If a game truly offers 100 hours of *engaging* content, it’s likely due to high replayability (e.g., branching paths, New Game+ modes) rather than padding. Titles like Dragon Quest XI or Persona 5 Royal earn their length through consistent quality.

Conclusion: Redefining Success in RPGs

The pressure to finish every game you start is outdated. In an era of overflowing game libraries and endless content, completion should be a choice—not an obligation. Whether you prefer the boundless freedom of open worlds or the focused intensity of linear narratives, what matters most is how the experience makes you feel.

Rather than asking, “Did I finish it?” ask, “Did I get what I needed from it?” Maybe you bonded with a character, mastered a complex system, or escaped into another world for a few precious hours. That’s victory enough.

💬 Have you finished a 100-hour RPG? What kept you going—or made you quit? Share your story in the comments and help others reflect on what completion really means to them.