Longest Dungeons & Dragons Games

Summary

D&D games have varying completion times, with Chronicles of Mystara taking 19 hours to complete.
Eye of the Beholder offers a 20-hour completion time with a classic dungeon master feel.
Dark Alliance and Heroes take around 28 hours to complete, providing unique experiences for D&D fans.

As a longtime enthusiast of tabletop role-playing games and a seasoned veteran of countless hours spent around the dice and character sheets, I must say that this list is a delightful journey down memory lane. Each game represents a unique chapter in the rich tapestry of Dungeons & Dragons history, offering players varying levels of immersion, strategic depth, and camaraderie.

Many video games are built around the “Dungeons & Dragons” brand, and similar to the campaigns they emulate, the duration to finish them can vary significantly – from mere minutes up to numerous hours. The enjoyment a game provides isn’t solely what determines its quality, but rather the amount of content it offers for exploration.

The website HowLongToBeat rates games in three ways; the main storyline, the main storyline and some extras, and the completionist. The following selections for the longest D&D games are are considered using the Completionist play times. Main Storylines run about half of that on average, with the Main Storyline and Extras estimate varying depending on the additional patches or DLCs.

We’ve only looked at games that explicitly have “Dungeons & Dragons” in their titles, thus those following the D&D rule system but without the specific title are not included in our analysis.

7. Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara

Completionist: 19 hours

The collection known as “The Chronicles of Mystra” comprises two classic Dungeons & Dragons games: “Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom“. Originally developed for arcade machines, these games later made their way onto computers and consoles. They were initially published in the 1990s, preserving an old-school aesthetic while incorporating modern graphics to infuse a sense of depth and intrigue into the 2D viewpoint.

In both games, you’ll find side-scrolling action with classic Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character mechanics. To start, pick from four classes: Fighter, Cleric, Elf, or Dwarf. The Elven class excels in casting spells and stealing, while the Dwarven class is great for close-combat. In the first game, your team works to rescue Mystra’s land from monsters and dark magic. Continuing the adventure in the second game, you head towards the Tower of Doom to confront and defeat the ultimate boss.

6. Eye of the Beholder

Completionist: 20 hours

Developer: Westwood Associates
Publishers: Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Date Released: 1991

Back in the day, I was thrilled when Eye of the Beholder made its debut on DOS for the Amiga. But then, in 1994, something magical happened – it got released for Windows 98, Sega, and even the Super Nintendo! If you’re a fan of the timeless Dungeon Master, you’ll spot the unique first-person dungeon perspective and distinctive panels that set this CRPG apart from others sporting isometric views.

The setting of the game is Waterdeep, and the adventurers have been hired to seek out a magical force radiating evil from underneath the city. The plot is a simple one that focuses on the basic adventure, that includes dungeons crawlers, mini-quests, and gifts or rewards of gear and loot until the party finds and destroys Xanathar, the titular Beholder.

5. Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

Completionist: 28 hours

This game, titled “Dark Alliance,” should not be mixed up with other games bearing the same title that are part of the “Baldur’s Gate” series. Instead, it pays homage to earlier titles set in the beloved city of Faerun but has a unique storyline separate from its predecessors and is set in the chilly landscape of Icewind Dale. The gameplay involves not just adventure but also survival due to the icy environment.

The “The Legend of Drizzt” novel series is similarly situated within this region, contributing to the game’s inclusion of numerous characters from the narrative, including the renowned Drow himself. Solo players can embark on a journey through the frigid wilderness and switch between available characters, or engage in a cooperative experience with three other companions.

4. Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes

Completionist: 28.5 hours

Developer: Atari Interactive Hunt Valley Studio
Publisher: Atari Interactive
Date Released: September 16, 2003

The game titled “Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes” is exclusively available on the Xbox, thereby slightly restricting its influence across the gaming community. Despite being based on Dungeons & Dragons, it leans more towards action-packed hack-and-slash gameplay intertwined with role-playing elements, deviating from the conventional tabletop campaign style.

As an avid adventurer, I find myself in a thrilling predicament: I can either face the formidable Kaedin, the malevolent wizard, alone or gather three comrades to join my quest. The intriguing part is that each character’s choices are pre-determined, offering a Dwarf Cleric, an Elf Wizard, a Halfling Rogue, and a Human Fighter. Each of these heroes comes with a rich backstory, adding a personal touch to the storyline, and possesses a unique, ancestral weapon that will aid us in our noble mission to vanquish the evil wizard.

3. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance

Completionist: 42 hours

Developer: Strategic Simulations
Publisher: Strategic Simulations
Date Released: June 1988

Initially, “Pool of Radiance” debuted as a game for MS-DOS computers. However, by 1990, it had also been released on Mac and Amiga systems. Interestingly, only a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) version was ever produced, which hit the market in 1992. In addition to the game, a novel set in the “Forgotten Realms” universe with a similar storyline was published in 1989 as part of the franchise’s promotional efforts.

In comparison to other games from the same era, this title provides a more extensive range of character personalization options. Usually, players in similar games are given pre-determined characters with their races and classes set. However, this game allows for six distinct races and four classes. It’s worth noting that only non-human characters can multiclass, and making a choice about the character’s moral alignment is required.

2. Lords of Waterdeep

Completionist: 58 hours

Developer: Playdek
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Date Released: November 21, 2013

The digital adaptation of “Lords of Waterdeep” mirrors its physical counterpart of the same title. It offers a solitaire offline mode and an online multiplayer option for a classic gaming experience with friends. Initially launched as an Apple-exclusive game, it’s now accessible on Android and Windows devices too. Across these platforms, “Lords of Waterdeep” has garnered popularity as a well-liked digital rendition of Dungeons & Dragons tabletop games.

In this game, rather than following a sequence of missions or battling an overarching villain, the story revolves around determining which character will excel as the enigmatic Masked Lord. These characters are the mysterious ruling elite of Waterdeep, who wield power through their trading and political prowess in the bustling port city. Success in this game is less about physical combat and more about strategic planning.

1. Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics

Completionist: 59.5 hours

Developer: Kuju Entertainment
Publisher: Atari
Date Released: August 14, 2007

At the heart of this D&D experience is a tactical role-playing game centered around two dragons vying for divinity, a concept reminiscent of deities. This game, exclusive to the PlayStation Portable, doesn’t impose any limitations on strategy. It draws heavily from the 3.5 Edition ruleset and offers a solo adventure where the protagonist can recruit various allies to join their quest.

In this game, players have the freedom to pick from the traditional 11 character classes, supplemented by two exclusive options – the Psion and Psychic Warrior. For those eager to jump into the action, there’s a wide array of pre-prepared choices available, catering to just about every potential mix.

2024-12-17 10:35