GTA Marathon: Which Game Takes The Longest?

Hey gaming fanatics! Ever found yourselves sinking hours, days, or even weeks into the sprawling worlds of Grand Theft Auto? We all have, right? The GTA series is legendary, offering us incredible stories, vast open worlds, and tons of side activities that can keep us glued to our screens for ages. But which game in this epic franchise demands the most time to conquer? Today, we're diving deep to find out what is the longest GTA game to beat, considering both the main story and the wealth of optional content.

Understanding the Time Sink: Story Missions vs. Completionist Dreams

Before we jump into the rankings, let's clarify how we're measuring the time. Beating a GTA game can mean different things to different players. Some folks focus solely on the main story missions, zipping through the narrative to see how it all unfolds. Others are completionists, aiming to experience everything the game has to offer. This includes side missions, collectibles, hidden packages, races, and everything in between. We'll look at both perspectives because the total playtime can vary wildly based on your approach. A completionist's journey in any GTA game is a commitment, a true test of dedication. Are you ready to dive into the open-world gameplay?

It's also worth noting that the time required to beat a GTA game can vary based on individual skill levels. Some gamers are naturally gifted, navigating the game's challenges with ease, while others might need a bit more time to master the controls and strategies. This is a journey with twists and turns. Your experience is unique to you, and that's what makes gaming so great! For this analysis, we'll generally assume a moderate skill level, focusing on the average player experience. This means taking into account the learning curve of each game, the difficulty of certain missions, and the time spent exploring the vast worlds.

Ranking the GTA Games by Playtime (Main Story Only)

Let's start by looking at how long it takes to beat each GTA game if you're just focusing on the main story missions. This is a great starting point because it gives us a baseline for comparison, even if it doesn't reflect the full GTA experience. The times listed below are based on data from HowLongToBeat and similar sources, averaging the playtime reported by many players.

1. Grand Theft Auto III: The Godfather of 3D GTA games. It's a classic, but the main story is relatively concise, typically taking around 15-20 hours. Though the game is a must-play title, if you are looking for long gameplay, this one is not the title for you!
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Another retro favorite. The neon-soaked streets of Vice City offer a nostalgic trip, and the story wraps up in about 20-25 hours. You'll quickly fall in love with the 80's vibe of this game.
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: This game is a fan favorite, and this title's story is much more extensive. Expect to spend around 25-30 hours getting to the end. Some people have spent hundreds of hours in this game!
4. Grand Theft Auto IV: The gritty realism of Liberty City offers a compelling narrative, which will take about 25-35 hours to complete. This is the first game to feel a bit longer, so be ready to spend a decent amount of time with this title!
5. Grand Theft Auto V: The current king of the series. The massive story, featuring three protagonists, clocks in at around 30-40 hours. This is one of the more popular titles, as you can see by the amount of content in the game!

As you can see, the main story lengths are fairly consistent. However, the real time-sink comes when you start exploring everything else the games have to offer. That is when the game play truly begins.

The Completionist's Nightmare (or Dream): Side Content Galore!

This is where things get truly interesting. GTA games are packed with side missions, activities, and collectibles that can add dozens, if not hundreds, of hours to your playtime. Let's delve into what each game offers and how it impacts the total time spent.

• Grand Theft Auto III: While the main story is shorter, there are still plenty of side missions, like the rampages and unique stunt jumps. Expect to spend 30-40 hours to complete everything!
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Vice City has the classic side missions, with some extra collectibles and hidden packages to find. If you have the time, you will spend around 40-50 hours in this game!
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: This game is the king of content! This title is massive, with endless side missions, gang wars, and a sprawling map to explore. If you're going for 100% completion, you might be looking at 80-100+ hours. The completion rate on this game can take a long time to get through all the content.
• Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City offers a more refined experience. If you are going for full completion, prepare to spend around 70-90 hours. This is the first game to give you a true test of dedication, so be ready for the long haul.
• Grand Theft Auto V: This game features a huge open world filled with tons of activities, including heists, races, and other events. If you aim for 100% completion, you're looking at 100-150+ hours. If you are looking for long gameplay, this is the title for you!

As you can see, the jump from main story to full completion is substantial. San Andreas and GTA V are the clear frontrunners for the most time-consuming games to 100%.

So, What is the Longest GTA Game to Beat? The Verdict

Okay, so what is the longest GTA game to beat? If we're strictly talking about the main story, Grand Theft Auto V typically takes the longest. However, if you're a completionist, the answer changes significantly. It all depends on your goals as a player. If you are looking for a long game, then you have found it!

• For Main Story Length: Grand Theft Auto V is the winner.
• For Completionist Time: Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are the champions, with GTA V potentially taking longer due to its sheer scale and the amount of content. If you are going for 100%, you will be spending hours in the game!

Ultimately, the