Skyrim: Is It The Longest Game You'll Ever Play?

Hey guys, let's dive into a question that's been tossed around the gaming community for ages: Is Skyrim the longest game ever? It's a big question, and the answer, well, it's not exactly a simple yes or no. But buckle up, because we're about to explore the vast, snowy landscapes of Skyrim and uncover just how much time you can realistically sink into this epic RPG. We'll be looking at the main quest, side quests, exploration, and everything in between to give you a solid idea of just how long it takes to conquer Skyrim. So, grab your swords, your spells, and maybe a hot cup of mead, and let's get started!

The Base Game: How Long Does the Main Quest Take?

Okay, so let's start with the basics. If you're laser-focused on just the main storyline, how long will Skyrim keep you occupied? Well, the main quest, which involves defeating Alduin, the World-Eater, can be completed in around 20 to 30 hours, give or take. This is assuming you're sticking to the critical path, not getting sidetracked by every shiny object or intriguing side quest that pops up. This includes all the main story missions, the essential dungeons, and the dragon encounters necessary to beat the game. However, even if you are trying to beeline to the finish, the vast distances and the occasional need to level up or gather better gear mean that you can easily spend more time. It's a pretty good chunk of time, but it's really just the tip of the iceberg, right? This is because what makes Skyrim special is what lies beyond the main story. So, if you are looking for a quick playthrough, this is it. But if you have more time, I suggest you go beyond the main storyline.

Diving Deeper: Exploring the World

But let's be honest, how many of us actually stick to the main quest in Skyrim? The world of Tamriel is just begging to be explored! From the moment you escape Helgen, you're free to wander, discover hidden caves, fight bandits, and stumble upon forgotten ruins. This freedom, this openness, is what makes Skyrim so darn addictive. And this exploration adds a massive amount of playtime. Seriously, guys, just wandering around, discovering new locations, and getting into random encounters can easily add another 50 to 100 hours to your game. There are so many unique locations to discover, from the sprawling city of Whiterun to the icy peaks of the Throat of the World. Each place has its own secrets, its own stories, and its own dangers. And, of course, there are plenty of breathtaking views that are just waiting to be discovered.

The Allure of Side Quests and Activities

Side quests and activities are another area where Skyrim really shines. There's an endless stream of things to do: join the Thieves Guild, become a Companion, master the College of Winterhold, or even become a Thane of various holds. Each of these questlines offers hours of gameplay, unique characters, and compelling stories. And let's not forget about crafting, which is, honestly, a game in itself. You can spend hours smithing weapons, enchanting armor, and brewing potions. Or, how about hunting? Gathering ingredients? Or trying to become the best chef in Skyrim? You get the idea. These things add dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. Each faction has its own storyline, with its own set of missions and characters. Each one offers a different perspective on the world and a unique style of gameplay. For example, if you join the Dark Brotherhood, you'll be tasked with assassinating targets, whereas if you join the Companions, you'll be involved in battles and adventures. If you add up all those quests, you're easily looking at a playthrough of 150+ hours. The main quest is just a tiny fraction.

The DLCs: Expanding the Skyrim Experience

Let's not forget about the DLCs, my friends! Skyrim has received some amazing expansions over the years, each adding even more content to the game. Dawnguard introduces werewolves and vampires, along with a whole new questline to play through. Hearthfire lets you build your own homes and become a homeowner, adding a whole new dimension to the game. Dragonborn takes you to the island of Solstheim, with its own quests, locations, and mysteries to unravel. Each of these DLCs adds around 20-40 hours of gameplay, but if you're like me, you'll find yourself exploring and getting distracted by side quests there too. With all DLCs included, it's easy to push your playtime to 200+ hours. The DLCs really enrich the game. So, while you're here, be sure to experience all three, as they give a whole new perspective to the original game.

Dawnguard: The Vampire Hunters and the Vampires

Dawnguard introduces a conflict between the Dawnguard, a group of vampire hunters, and a powerful vampire lord named Harkon. As the Dragonborn, you'll have to choose a side and fight in a series of quests that determine the fate of Skyrim. You can become a vampire lord yourself, gaining powerful abilities and a unique playstyle. This DLC adds a ton of new weapons, armor, and spells to the game. Also, there's a new location, Soul Cairn. So, even though this is not a main quest, it provides the main game with a sense of completion. The gameplay time in this DLC is roughly between 20-30 hours, depending on the side you choose and how much you explore. So, it is definitely a good choice.

Hearthfire: Building Your Dream Home

If you have always wanted to build a home, Hearthfire is the DLC for you. You can purchase land in different parts of Skyrim and then build your own homes from the ground up. You can design the layout, choose the furniture, and even hire a steward to manage your property. This DLC provides a more relaxed, creative experience, allowing you to settle down and enjoy the quiet life of a homeowner. You can adopt children, adding a family dynamic to the game. The content here is around 10-20 hours, but could be longer depending on your creativity and desire to customize your home.

Dragonborn: A Journey to Solstheim

Dragonborn sends the Dragonborn to the island of Solstheim, where you'll face a new threat: the first Dragonborn, Miraak. You'll explore the ash-covered landscape, battle new enemies, and learn new shouts. This DLC introduces a whole new map to explore, with its own quests, locations, and secrets. You'll encounter new creatures, such as the Rieklings and the Ash Spawn. You will learn new shouts, and obtain new dragon masks. This DLC has a gameplay time of roughly 30-40 hours. This is definitely a good choice for those who are looking for more adventure.

Skyrim: Is It the Longest Game Ever? Let's Break It Down!

So, after all that, is Skyrim the longest game ever? It's tough to give a definitive answer, because it really depends on how you play.

• Main Quest Only: 20-30 hours. Not that long, honestly.
• Main Quest + Exploration: 70-120+ hours. We're getting somewhere!
• Main Quest + Side Quests + Factions: 150-300+ hours. Now we are talking.
• All Content + DLCs + Completionist Run: 300+ hours and beyond. Potentially thousands of hours.

So, if you are a completionist who likes to see and do everything, you will spend a lot of time on this. Some players have sunk thousands of hours into Skyrim, constantly finding new things to do, new builds to try, and new mods to experiment with. The modding community is massive, and you can add hundreds of hours of new content through mods alone. It is safe to say that Skyrim can be an incredibly long game, especially if you're a completionist. But even if you're not, there's so much to see and do that it's easy to get lost in the world for a very long time.

The Modding Factor: Infinite Possibilities

Let's not forget about mods, guys! This is the cherry on top. Skyrim's modding community is incredibly active, and there are thousands of mods available that can add new quests, locations, items, gameplay mechanics, and even entire new storylines. If you are on PC, the number of hours you can spend in Skyrim becomes potentially limitless. Want to play as a different race, a new character, or even a brand new storyline? There's a mod for that. Want to overhaul the graphics, the combat, or the entire gameplay experience? There are mods for that too. Modding can easily add hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to your playtime. It's like having a brand-new game. Some mods add entirely new questlines and stories. Some others change the way the game looks and feels. There are also mods that add new gameplay mechanics, such as survival elements or crafting systems. The possibilities are truly endless. So, if you are looking to maximize your playing hours, you can add mods.

The Verdict: It's All About How You Play!

Ultimately, whether Skyrim is the longest game ever is really up to you. If you stick to the main quest, it's a solid, enjoyable experience, but not exceptionally long. However, if you are the kind of person who likes to explore every nook and cranny, complete every quest, and get lost in the world, then Skyrim can easily consume hundreds or even thousands of hours of your time. If you add DLC and mods into the mix, it becomes even more time-consuming. It's an adaptable, and constantly growing game. So, if you're looking for an RPG that you can get lost in for a very long time, Skyrim is definitely a top contender. The game is the gift that keeps on giving. So, go on out there, explore, and enjoy the adventure!