Video games are modern artistic expressions of the highest caliber and the countless hours that go into making them often result in an experience that takes hours to take in. Sometimes hours and hours — perhaps even days, weeks, or months for those total completionists out there. Sony's PlayStation 4 gave gamers access to a huge library of games, but not every book on this hypothetical shelf is the same length.
While players can spend countless hours on most any game, these particular PS4 games that take the longest to complete entirely in terms of total hours spent. All metrics featured were sourced from the painstakingly averaged figures accessible at howlongtobeat.
10 Dragon Age: Inquisition (87 Hours)
With the sheer volume of game length, it's hard to believe that developer BioWare left anything on the table, but there were even more designs that didn't make it into Dragon Age: Inquisition. The studio has never been one to go light on story, but they topped themselves with this installment.
Adding an open world element to the Dragon Age franchise came with some difficulty, but gamers were richly rewarded with the extra challenge. This was all supplemented with the largest cast of companions yet, each with their own stories and quests.
9 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age (88 Hours)
This won't be the last time a SquareEnix game lands on this list. Fans of role-playing games frequently turn to their games for immersive stories and sprawling worlds. In this, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age does not disappoint.
This installment enters as a prequel to the events of the incredibly popular Dragon Quest III, so gamers will be familiar with some of the characters, but the world is explored in a fresh way. There is plenty to do after beating the game, which adds to the time spent on the journey.
8 Divinity: Original Sin II (96 Hours)
Tallying in at approximate four full days' worth of time is Divinity: Original Sin II. And believe it or not, after players finish up all of the questing and adventures, there are still untouched areas of the game left to discover.
Larian Studios was determined not to become a one-hit-wonder after their first massively successful role-playing game and they followed through on their goal with a rich, engrossing story that fans will continue to replay for years to come.
7 The Legend Of The Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel III (101 Hours)
Based on feedback from the previous games, Nihon Falcom ensured that the battle system in The Legend of the Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III was the fastest-paced entry to the series yet. PlayStation 4 was (and is) in direct competition with Xbox for JRPGs and this game upped the ante.
Despite the combat and battle screens going faster, the adrenaline dose takes longer to swallow. The game transports the player from several dynamic environments, meeting a cast of memorable characters along the way with the goal of forming a cohesive unit.
6 Fallout 4 (109 Hours)
The Fallout franchise has a predictable genius to them that their fans have fallen in love with. Players know to brace for a brief walk in a beautiful world for a few minutes before trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic hellhole for many hours.
Fallout 4 amplified these hours well beyond the scope of the other games and padded on even more downloadable content on top of it all. Even after playing through the side missions, there are likely still undiscovered secrets kept in Vault 75.
5 Assassin's Creed Odyssey (111 Hours)
Jerusalem, Rome, Egypt, the Caribbean, and more; When Ubisoft releases another Assassin's Creed game, fans buckle up for the place and time when the events will take place. The longest adventure so far takes place in 431 BC in ancient Greece.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey was not expected to be as large as it was, but its players did not complain. Taking control of Kassandra or Alexios is an entertaining in-game experience (and out-of-game experience as well for the cosplay community).
4 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (122 Hours)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can be beaten in a matter of minutes, just ask the streamers who challenge themselves in bizarre ways. But if the player wants to explore everything the frozen north has to offer, they'll be playing for over five full days.
Not that anyone is complaining, fans consume this game like a fine wine and then ask for another bottle. DLC and expanded editions have helped to satiate this thirst, so until The Elder Scrolls VI comes along, somebody will always be basking in the cold snow of Skyrim.
3 Persona 5 Royal (123 Hours)
How in the world can a game as long as Persona 5 Royal utilize a time management system? Any video game over 100 hours usually encourages its players to relax and enjoy the ride. Yet while the life sim portion of Tokyo is brilliant, the entire time there is a countdown until the conclusion.
The result is a game that pushes players to use their time wisely or face the consequences. College life is glamorous, increasing trust with confidants is a fun challenge, and Persona 5 Royal makes it a goal to only be as long as it is rewarding.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (approx 127 Hours)
Back in 2015, CD Projekt Red developed a game that would become the new standard for role-playing games to compare themselves with. Conveying a feverish focus on the main and side quests, players saw every aspect of a world through protagonist Geralt's eyes.
The content is deceptively long; calling non-mandatory events "side quests" is almost criminal. Each one adds to the flavor of the world and is voice-acted at a top-notch level. This is, of course, when gamers aren't swinging swords, casting fireballs, and creating potions. Just don't ask to go through any portals.
1 Monster Hunter: World & Iceborne (177 Hours)
The top spot on this list doesn't leave any room for controversy. By itself, Monster Hunter World would have still reserved a spot here, but when it added another massive expansion with Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, there was no competition.
With a game primarily focused on fantasy action and boss fights, one might think that an open-world game might take on more hours, but developer and publisher Capcom absolutely loaded the maps up with monsters to fight with prolonged, heart-pounding sequences to make memories for weeks on end.