Not only does The Last of Us Part II play well and contain a gripping narrative, but it also gives players a lot of bang for their buck. Sitting between 20 and 30 hours long, it comes out as one of the biggest single-player games ever made. However, there are some games that beat it out.
While a couple of these contain multiplayer modes, one can still find well over 25 hours of content while not engaging with other players. Some RPGs receive mention, but the entries purposefully shy away from endless open-world games like Elder Scrolls or Fallout in favor of more focused narratives.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (28 Hours)
Hidetaka Miyazaki's most recent work with FromSoftware is also one of the most difficult games from the studio. The structure of Dark Souls remains, but the combat requires completely different strategies and ways of thinking. Fewer RPG elements are present and it eschews any multiplayer component. The length of the story also depends on one's skill level, as certain bosses have taken people days to conquer.
Grand Theft Auto V (31 1/2 Hours)
While Grand Theft Auto Online is the primary reason for this game's longevity, one must never forget the expansive single-player mode. Players control three unique protagonists as they meet up and conquer over sixty fleshed-out story missions.
While this is fewer than in Grand Theft Auto IV and San Andreas, each one is wholly unique and usually features intense set pieces. If one strives for one hundred percent completion, they will spend well over forty hours alone in Los Santos.
Bloodborne (34 Hours)
This Dark Souls series. The overall structure remains the same, but the combat is faster and encourages a more aggressive playstyle. The creepy Victorian aesthetic makes it stand out visually, while the open progression system allows for players to build their character in any way they see fit. The labyrinthine map design makes exploration a real treat.
Ōkami (34 Hours)
Hideki Kamiya is the director of some of the most celebrated video games ever made, including the original Resident Evil 2. His Ōkami game received loads of praise upon its release for its unique gameplay mechanics and gorgeous visuals. It has fortunately been re-released on almost every modern console under the sun, so experiencing this adventure title should not prove difficult. Fans have been clamoring for a sequel for ages, but it does not appear to be on the horizon anytime soon.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (34 Hours)
The reimagining of the classic RPG is largely a linear adventure. Fans would have been content with a straightforward remake of the game's Midgar chapter, but from the start it is clear this new franchise has bolder ambitions. Fans cannot wait to see how future installments expand on this idea.
Death Stranding (40 1/2 Hours)
Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's most recent project, polarized gamers with its unique gameplay and outlandish story. While combat and stealth are both part of the equation, players spend the majority of their time traversing the open landscape, making sure they have enough materials to climb and descend the terrain. An internet connection is required for the game's unique mechanics, but Sam Porter Bridges never runs into another player while on the lonely road.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (46 Hours)
Part of what makes Metal Gear game takes well over forty hours. Despite the drama surrounding its development, which directly affected the ending, the narrative is still one of the best of this generation.
Dark Souls (46 Hours)
While the premiere Dark Souls title gets the entry on the list, every Dark Souls entry is longer than The Last of Us Part II. Dark Souls' brutal difficulty and unforgiving design means some players may even restart their journey to create a better character and have an easier time besting some of the incredible boss battles. Despite its challenge, the game never feels unfair.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (47 1/2 Hours)
Arthur Morgan's journey with his outlaw comrades is one of the finest stories Rockstar Games has ever told. Even in GTA V and the original impactful narrative.
Persona 5 (97 Hours)
This RPG is long even by the genre's standards. Where most JRPGs take between thirty and fifty hours, Persona 5 contains almost one hundred hours of value. This is largely due to the game's structure setting the narrative over the course of a school year and the mixture of two distinct gameplay styles. It is part social simulation and part turn-based RPG.
