by Vlad Mazanko
RPGs have always been among the longest games out there, whether open-world or not. Built to deliver an epic, sprawling journey in richly crafted fantasy or sci-fi worlds, they are filled with destinations to visit, characters to meet, quests to complete, and high-stakes stories that often feel deeply personal. For anyone craving total immersion in another world for weeks or even months, RPGs are the perfect escape.
Many modern RPGs already offer lengthy main stories that can easily eat up dozens of hours, but it's the optional content that truly pushes them into the time-sinkers department. Between dozens of meaningful side quests, memorable companion storylines, hidden locations, collectibles, and exploration, experiencing everything worthwhile in these games demands serious time. Below are some of the most notable and longest RPGs of the past years that are every bit as absorbing as they are massive.
For this list, the "Main + Extra" rather than "Completionist" stats are being used from HowLongToBeat, as this is the way most players usually approach their games. Also, only base games without any DLC are compared, with a focus on RPGs over JRPGs.
Elden Ring
Main Story + Side Quests: 101 Hours on Average
Elden Ring needs little introduction, representing one of the most successful, impactful, and beloved open-world RPGs of the 2020s. With its subtle narrative, hidden NPCs and side quests, menacing bosses, and countless optional areas, players are mostly left to their own devices to explore the enormous and beautiful world of the Lands Between, and to progress as they see fit or how their abilities allow.
The sheer size of Elden Ring's layered map ensures this journey is meant to be taken slowly, requiring over 100 hours on average for a first blind playthrough. Of course, even then, players will miss plenty of hidden storylines and entire regions, so uncovering everything the game offers, including defeating every unique boss, will take considerably more time.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Main Story + Side Quests: 101 Hours on Average
Divinity: Original Sin 2, an acclaimed predecessor to Baldur's Gate 3, firmly established Larian Studios as a premier RPG powerhouse — one rivaling giants like BioWare, Bethesda, and CD Projekt RED. Longer, deeper, and superior in every regard to the first Original Sin, the sequel is a true RPG triumph, offering multiple playable origin characters, a unique and unforgettable universe, and an endless sense of discovery at every turn.
Just like BG3, players diving into Divinity: Original Sin 2 should prepare to invest serious time in its world, with as many intense tactical combat scenarios as dialogue-heavy encounters, all rewarding creative approaches. Overall, it's a game that can easily consume over 100 hours, and there's a high chance one playthrough won't be enough.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Main Story + Side Quests: 102 Hours on Average
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader followed Owlcat Games' acclaimed Pathfinder RPGs (more on those later), delivering an absorbing, story-rich experience that fans of the iconic universe have long been craving. Equally exciting in its writing, characters, combat, and world-building, it marks a notable evolution for the studio — one poised for an even greater leap with the upcoming The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
An epic tale worthy of the name, Rogue Trader sends players to explore the multitude of systems in a barely charted region of space. With its grand scope and sky-high stakes, players should prepare to invest over 100 hours, while Warhammer 40k diehards will happily spend even more time in this faithfully realized universe.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Main Story + Side Quests: 103 Hours on Average
Nearly a decade on, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the most iconic and universally acclaimed open-world fantasy RPGs. It's still absolutely worth playing, fueled by its cinematic narrative and countless handcrafted quests and contracts, each packed with a surprising twist or fresh spin on seemingly mundane tasks.
The main story alone is so substantial that not every player reaches the finale. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, with a vast world teeming with characters and their multi-part quest arcs. Even without tackling optional map markers like monster lairs or hidden treasures, The Witcher 3 delivers an epic journey that easily exceeds 100 hours, and one that players won't regret.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Main Story + Side Quests: 110 Hours on Average
A truly legendary game that, over the years, has been released and re-released on nearly every gaming platform of the past 15 years, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim remains Bethesda's masterpiece, with even newer offerings like Starfield can't quite match its strengths. Everything in Skyrim works seamlessly to foster a living world around the player, brimming with countless activities to try, places to visit, and people to meet.
Skyrim stands among the RPGs defined primarily by its optional content and unparalleled sense of freedom. Though its map isn't the largest compared to recent open-world giants, and its main story can be wrapped up in just around 30 hours, going off the beaten path turns it into a true time sink that easily exceeds 100 hours.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
