A new analysis has revealed the most time-consuming and engaging video games of 2024, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth taking the top spot. The study, conducted by the mystery box website Cases.gg, examined recent game releases to identify titles that not only require significant playtime but also provide an immersive experience for gamers. The findings come just in time for the colder months, making these lengthy and engaging games ideal for those looking to stay entertained indoors.
Researchers evaluated each game based on three key factors: the time needed to complete the main storyline and side quests, the “retirement rate” (the percentage of players who quit before finishing), and overall player ratings. These factors were combined to give each game a score out of ten, helping gamers decide which titles are worth investing their time in.
Topping the list is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which scored an impressive 8.7 out of ten. Completing the game’s main story and side quests takes an average of 91 hours, but the game’s high 91% player rating suggests that the lengthy gameplay is well worth the investment. Notably, only 0.5% of players chose not to finish the game, a testament to its strong engagement.
In second place is Satisfactory, a first-person factory-building simulation. With an average completion time of 133 hours, it ranks as the longest game released in 2024. However, its retirement rate is significantly higher than Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with 7.4% of players not completing the game. Despite this, it maintains a respectable 83% player rating and scores 8.4 overall.
Other highly rated games include Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, both of which scored 8.4 out of ten. Apollo Justice takes about 96 hours to complete, with only 0.5% of players quitting early, while Like a Dragon requires 85 hours and has a similarly low retirement rate of 0.8%. Both games enjoy strong fan approval, with ratings of 84% and 89%, respectively.
Ranking fourth on the list is Persona 3 Reload, scoring 8.2 out of ten. This simulation game takes about 82 hours to complete, and while 2.1% of players didn’t see it through to the end, it still holds a high 90% player rating.
Rounding out the top five is Rusty’s Retirement, a strategy game that takes an average of 109 hours to complete. It scored 8.0 out of ten, with a retirement rate of 2.9% and a 78% player rating.
Other notable games on the list include Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (64 hours, 87% rating) and Unicorn Overlord (66 hours, 87% rating).
Commenting on the findings, Gabriele Asaro, Head of Research at Cases.gg, said: “With the colder weather approaching, these games provide the perfect way to stay entertained indoors. But it’s important to consider not just how long a game takes, but whether it offers an enjoyable experience.”
