Top 10 JRPGs That Require a Lot of Time to Finish

Reflecting on my early gaming experiences, I vividly remember the thrill I felt after completing Super Mario RPG. When I shared my achievement with a friend, he asked, “But did you get Luigi?”This question set me on an exhilarating yet fruitless quest to find the elusive Green Mario. In those pre-internet days, my pursuit led me to browse magazines and consult fellow gamers. Ultimately, I discovered that Luigi was merely a myth, not a playable character. Nevertheless, this adventure ignited my passion for uncovering every hidden secret in JRPGs, making a walkthrough an essential companion for my gaming journeys ever since.

Fast forward to the PS3 era, when the introduction of a trophy system brought a new wave of excitement. Suddenly, my passion for gaming could be validated through achievements that recognized the countless hours I dedicated to each title. However, I can’t help but wish for more common sense when developers release absurdly time-consuming trophies that often overshadow the enjoyment of playing. Some achievements require such an extraordinary investment of time that shelving the game becomes a more appealing option. Below, I’ve compiled a list of ten JRPGs notorious for their extensive completion times.

Note: This analysis references HowLongToBeat‘s completionist category but acknowledges that many games in this genre may exceed the reported hours. The titles featured here will focus solely on JRPGs that I’ve personally played and completed, considering the necessity for variety by excluding repeats from the same franchise.

10 Persona 5

New Game+ Shenanigans

When I decided to explore this topic, Persona 5 immediately came to mind as a prime candidate. However, I soon realized that the original title poses a significant time commitment due to its requirement for a lengthy new game plus (NG+) playthrough, ostensibly to complete the Persona Compendium—all of this while aiming to avoid any missed opportunities. As with all Persona titles, completing everything in the game demands not only considerable patience but also the use of a thorough walkthrough to ensure nothing essential slips through the cracks.

Although I invested nearly 150 hours into this captivating title, I hesitate to recommend it to newcomers to the JRPG genre, despite it being one of my personal favorites.

9 Tales of Symphonia

Four Playthroughs Minimum

The first platinum trophy I obtained from the Tales series was with Tales of Zestiria, a game that, while not exactly a fan favorite, was timely for me as a new PS4 owner. Consequently, I found myself delving into other titles in the series, curious about their platinum potential.

However, non of the games in the Tales franchise, except for Tales of Arise, offer a straightforward completion experience.Tales of Symphonia, in particular, necessitates a minimum of four complete playthroughs to unlock everything the game has to offer, which is frankly excessive. You’ll also find several character titles grievously locked behind playthrough-specific content, particularly those related to character affinity, resulting in many missable trophies. Thus, a detailed walkthrough is imperative for anyone seeking to achieve 100% completion.

8 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Three Houses, Four Routes

Previously, I included Fire Emblem: Three Houses in my list of “JRPGs that don’t respect your time, ” a title that epitomizes this sentiment. You can rapidly complete one story route in about 50 hours, but doing so would deprive you of exploring its four different narrative paths. Yet, players expecting a varied experience from all routes may be disappointed as the first stages of each path remain largely similar, ultimately frustrating those eager for diverse storytelling.

Mathematically speaking, if each route requires around 50 hours to finish, multiplying that by four necessitates upward of 200 hours to glimpse all of the related story content fully. Additionally, for completionists, it is essential to dedicate time towards recruiting characters, mastering combat arts, and leveling weapon proficiencies—further extending the playtime into the 200+ hour territory.

7 Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Damn This Gacha System

Upon completing the first Xenoblade Chronicles, I was determined to tackle all achievements in the sequel, Xenoblade Chronicles 2. However, I don’t recommend diving into its completionist content lightly; many achievements feel trivial and detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

The two most significant hurdles in achieving 100% completion include a gacha-like system for acquiring Blades and completing their respective Affinity Charts. Each Blade’s chart comes loaded with nodes that unlock skills and increase their effectiveness, demanding everything from monster hunts to item delivery and sidequest completions. The time commitment can quickly spiral out of control, requiring over 100 hours of gameplay for just a fraction of the total content. Good luck on this lengthy journey!

6 Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Freaking National Dex

When considering Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the task of completing the Pokédex becomes paramount for any dedicated player. Yet, Game Freak’s design choices add layers of difficulty with exceptionally rare confrontations. One prime example lies in encountering Munchlax, which poses only a 1% spawn rate at specific honey trees.

Furthermore, the arduous challenge of completing the National Dex lurks in the background. Before the remake, players had to engage with the Pal Park system, essentially mandating they own Pokémon from the previous generation to trade up. Thus, hunting down elusive Pokémon transcends simplicity and becomes an arduous pursuit that completionists must brace themselves for.

5 Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten

It’s Over 9, 000

The Disgaea franchise is notorious for pushing the boundaries of traditional RPG norms, notably with ludicrously high level caps and damage outputs. Specifically, Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten raises the maximum level from 9, 999, with damage potential soaring to 10 billion. The bulk of your time investment will be funneled into attaining these astronomical figures.

While casual players may navigate through the campaign in about 40 hours, completionists will find themselves grinding for hundreds of hours, seeking to optimize every aspect of the game. Only after hitting these insane thresholds will players have the chance to unlock and refine virtually every character and class available.

4 Star Ocean: The Last Hope

The Last Straw In Your Gaming Career

Before diving into a new JRPG, I thoroughly inspect the trophy guide for guidance on missable trophies and expected completion times. Alarmingly, while Star Ocean: The Last Hope has an average completion time of nearly 188 hours according to HowLongToBeat, many players report that the reality is closer to 500 hours, largely due to the demanding Battle Trophies.

Though I’ve managed to platinum other titles in the series, the extensive demands of The Last Hope make it a daunting task that could diminish one’s overall enjoyment. Navigating through its overly complex trophy system feels more like a chore than a rewarding pursuit.

3 White Knight Chronicles

The Chronicles Of A Thousand Quests

White Knight Chronicles features an extensive gameplay model that includes both a story mode and an online component, which originally required a lot of grinding to raise your Guild Rank. With the online system no longer operational, offline players are left with a significantly inflated completion time, easily exceeding 532 hours.

Recent estimates suggest that reaching Guild Rank 12 will demand around 300 hours of repetitive quests with underwhelming AI companions. Given the dedication it takes to pursue completionist goals in this game, would-be players need immense endurance.

2 Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Borderline Insanity

While Nintendo doesn’t enforce an achievement system, games like Dragon Quest IX have their own in-game challenges that can severely inflate completion times. One particularly daunting accolade, “Wanderluster, ”demands over 1000 hours of gameplay, while “Friend to the End”requires cooperative play for the same duration. Add to that the social accolade “Socialite, ”which requires 50% of your in-game time to be in multiplayer mode, and the total commitment skyrockets.

The RNG elements add further absurdity, especially when cataloging every item and monster available in the game, culminating in an experience that can only be described as overwhelming for completionists. Any player who has achieved 100% completion in Dragon Quest IX deserves immense respect; it’s a true testament to perseverance.

1 Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate

Requires A Few Generations To Complete

For ardent fans of the Monster Hunter series, the grind is a way of life. Yet, if you’re aiming for 100% completion in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, be prepared for a monumental time commitment. Between completing your Guild Card and the exhaustive tasks required to hunt and collect every monster and item, the total time invested can reach staggering heights.

Many players report needing upwards of 2000 hours simply to attain the maximum Hunter Rank of 999—which only occurs after completing a multitude of quests and challenges and unlocking every achievement associated with the Guild Card. In summary, if you’re stepping into this title to pursue completionist glory, brace yourself for an arduous journey!

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