Lords of the Fallen: How Long to Beat

“Lords of the Fallen,” a dark fantasy action RPG developed by Deck13 Interactive and CI Games, has garnered significant attention for its intricate world-building, challenging combat, and immersive storytelling. As with many games in the genre, understanding how long it takes to complete “Lords of the Fallen” can greatly impact a player’s decision to dive in. This comprehensive review will explore various aspects of game duration, including main story length, side quests, completionist playthroughs, and factors that influence how long it takes to beat the game.

Introduction

Understanding Game Duration

When evaluating how long it takes to beat a game, several factors come into play:

1. Main Story: The time required to complete the primary narrative arc of the game.
2. Side Quests: The time spent on additional content outside of the main story.
3. Completionist Playthrough: The time needed to achieve 100% completion, including all achievements, collectibles, and side content.
4. Difficulty Settings: The impact of different difficulty levels on overall game duration.

Importance of Game Duration

Knowing how long a game takes to complete can help players plan their gaming time, set realistic expectations, and decide whether the game fits into their schedule. It also aids in understanding the game’s value for money and the extent of its content.

Main Story Length

Estimated Duration

For most players, the core experience of “Lords of the Fallen” involves completing the main story. The estimated duration to finish the main narrative typically ranges between 25 to 40 hours. This variation depends on several factors, including:

• Player Skill and Experience: Experienced players who are familiar with action RPGs may complete the story more quickly, while newcomers might take longer to adapt to the game’s mechanics and difficulty.
• Difficulty Setting: Players opting for higher difficulty settings will generally experience a longer playthrough due to increased challenge and more careful exploration.

Narrative Depth

The main story of “Lords of the Fallen” is rich with lore and intricate storytelling. The game features a detailed narrative with multiple characters, plot twists, and immersive world-building. Completing the main story involves engaging with the central conflict, uncovering the game’s lore, and experiencing significant character development.

Story-Driven Gameplay

The pacing of the main story is influenced by the game’s design:

• Linear vs. Open-World: “Lords of the Fallen” offers a more linear experience compared to fully open-world RPGs, focusing on structured progression through various areas and encounters.
• Boss Fights and Challenges: Key story moments are marked by challenging boss fights and significant encounters, which can impact the time needed to progress.

Side Quests

Additional Content

In addition to the main story, “Lords of the Fallen” features a variety of side quests that contribute to the game’s depth and replayability. Engaging in side quests can extend the playtime significantly.

Estimated Duration

Completing side quests in “Lords of the Fallen” can add approximately 10 to 20 hours to the total playtime. The exact duration depends on:

• Number of Side Quests: The game includes multiple side quests, each with its own objectives, challenges, and rewards.
• Complexity of Quests: Some side quests are straightforward, while others may involve intricate puzzles, exploration, and combat challenges.

Variety of Side Quests

Side quests in “Lords of the Fallen” offer a range of activities:

• Exploration-Based Quests: Tasks that require players to explore different areas, uncover hidden secrets, or interact with various NPCs.
• Combat Challenges: Encounters that involve defeating specific enemies or completing challenging combat scenarios.
• Lore and Story Quests: Quests that delve deeper into the game’s lore, providing additional background information and character development.

Completionist Playthrough

Achieving 100% Completion

For players seeking to experience everything “Lords of the Fallen” has to offer, a completionist playthrough involves completing all main and side content, collecting all items, and achieving all achievements or trophies.

Estimated Duration

A completionist playthrough of “Lords of the Fallen” can take approximately 60 to 80 hours. This extended duration includes:

• Exploring Every Area: Thoroughly exploring all areas to uncover hidden secrets, collectibles, and optional content.
• Completing All Quests: Engaging in every side quest and optional activity.
• Achieving All Achievements: Completing various in-game challenges and tasks to unlock all achievements or trophies.

Factors Affecting Completion Time

Several factors can influence the time required for a completionist playthrough:

• Knowledge of Game Mechanics: Familiarity with game mechanics, enemy patterns, and quest solutions can impact the efficiency of a completionist run.
• Guide Usage: Utilizing guides or walkthroughs can streamline the process and reduce the overall playtime.

Difficulty Settings and Their Impact

Influence on Game Duration

The difficulty setting chosen by players can significantly impact how long it takes to beat “Lords of the Fallen”:

Easy Difficulty

• Estimated Duration: On easy difficulty, players may complete the main story in approximately 20 to 30 hours.
• Gameplay Experience: Easier enemies and reduced challenge contribute to a faster playthrough, allowing players to progress more quickly through the narrative.

Normal Difficulty

• Estimated Duration: On normal difficulty, players typically spend around 25 to 40 hours completing the main story.
• Gameplay Experience: Normal difficulty offers a balanced challenge, providing a fair level of difficulty without being overly punishing.

Hard and Very Hard Difficulties

• Estimated Duration: On hard or very hard difficulties, players may spend 40 to 60 hours or more completing the main story.
• Gameplay Experience: Increased enemy difficulty, higher damage, and more complex combat scenarios result in a more extended playthrough, requiring greater skill and strategy.

Gameplay Factors Influencing Duration

Combat and Exploration

The nature of combat and exploration in “Lords of the Fallen” can impact overall game duration:

Combat Difficulty

• Enemy Types: Facing a variety of enemy types, including challenging bosses, can extend the time spent in combat.
• Skill Progression: Improving player skills and mastering combat mechanics can affect the pace of progression.

Exploration

• World Design: The game’s world design, including hidden areas and secret paths, influences exploration time.
• Puzzles and Challenges: Solving puzzles and overcoming environmental challenges can add to the time required to navigate the game’s world.

Character Development

Character development plays a role in determining how long it takes to beat the game:

Builds and Playstyles

• Character Builds: Experimenting with different character builds and playstyles can impact combat effectiveness and overall playtime.
• Skill Progression: Progressing through skill trees and unlocking new abilities can influence the speed of gameplay and combat efficiency.

Community Feedback and Experiences

Varied Playtimes

Player experiences with the duration of “Lords of the Fallen” vary widely based on personal playstyles and preferences:

• Speedrunners: Some players focus on completing the game as quickly as possible, often using speedrunning techniques to minimize playtime.
• Explorers: Others prioritize exploring every corner of the game and engaging in all available content, leading to longer playthroughs.

Challenges and Enjoyment

Players often discuss the challenges they face and the enjoyment they derive from different playstyles:

• Difficulty and Challenge: Many players find that higher difficulties extend the playtime due to increased challenge and the need for more strategic gameplay.
• Engagement and Satisfaction: Completing side quests and achieving 100% completion can enhance the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Comparison with Other RPGs

Similar Titles

Comparing “Lords of the Fallen” with other RPGs can provide context for its duration:

Dark Souls Series

• Playtime: The “Dark Souls” series offers a similar experience with main story lengths ranging from 30 to 60 hours, depending on difficulty and exploration.
• Gameplay: Known for its challenging combat and deep lore, “Dark Souls” shares similarities with “Lords of the Fallen” in terms of gameplay and difficulty.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Playtime: “The Witcher 3” typically takes 50 to 100 hours to complete, including the main story and side content.
• Gameplay: The expansive open world and rich narrative of “The Witcher 3” offer a more extensive experience compared to “Lords of the Fallen.”

Conclusion

“Lords of the Fallen” offers a diverse range of gameplay experiences, with main story durations typically ranging from 25 to 40 hours. Side quests and completionist playthroughs can extend the total playtime to 60 to 80 hours or more, depending on player preferences and playstyle.

The game’s difficulty settings play a significant role in influencing overall duration, with higher difficulties resulting in longer playthroughs due to increased challenge. Factors such as combat, exploration, and character development further impact how long it takes to beat the game.

Player feedback reflects a wide range of experiences, from speedrunners who complete the game quickly to explorers who spend extensive time engaging with all content. Comparing “Lords of the Fallen” with other RPGs provides additional context for its duration, highlighting its similarities and differences with other titles in the genre.

Overall, “Lords of the Fallen” offers a compelling and varied experience, with game duration reflecting its depth and complexity. For players interested in understanding the time commitment involved, the following aspects summarize the key points discussed:

Summary of Game Duration

1. Main Story: Completing the main story in “Lords of the Fallen” typically takes between 25 to 40 hours. The range reflects the variability in player skill levels, difficulty settings, and individual playstyles.
2. Side Quests: Engaging with side quests adds approximately 10 to 20 hours to the total playtime. These quests contribute significantly to the game’s richness and lore, offering additional challenges and rewards.
3. Completionist Playthrough: Achieving 100% completion, including all achievements, collectibles, and side content, extends the playtime to about 60 to 80 hours. This thorough approach demands a deep exploration of the game’s world and a meticulous completion of all content.
4. Difficulty Settings: The difficulty setting chosen can greatly influence the overall duration. Lower difficulties result in quicker playthroughs, while higher difficulties demand more time due to increased challenge and strategy.
5. Gameplay Factors: Combat, exploration, and character development each impact the game’s duration. Players’ approaches to these aspects, including the choice of character builds and playstyles, will affect how long it takes to progress through the game.

Final Thoughts

“Lords of the Fallen” presents a multifaceted experience that caters to various types of players. Whether you’re interested in quickly experiencing the core narrative, delving into side quests, or pursuing a completionist run, the game offers a range of playtimes based on your approach.

**1. Main Story Completion: For those focusing solely on the main story, the game provides a rich narrative that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time. The linear progression and engaging story elements ensure a satisfying experience without requiring an extensive time commitment.

**2. Side Quests and Additional Content: Side quests enhance the game’s depth, offering additional gameplay and lore. These quests not only extend playtime but also enrich the overall experience, providing context and additional challenges that contribute to the game’s world-building.

**3. Completionist Pursuits: For players dedicated to exploring every aspect of the game, a completionist approach offers significant additional content. This playstyle highlights the game’s intricate design and allows players to fully immerse themselves in the world of “Lords of the Fallen.”

**4. Difficulty Settings: The choice of difficulty setting plays a crucial role in determining game duration. Higher difficulties present a greater challenge, which can lead to a more prolonged and rewarding experience, especially for those seeking a deeper engagement with the game’s mechanics.

**5. Comparative Context: When compared to other RPGs, “Lords of the Fallen” offers a duration that is competitive within its genre. The game’s design and content align with industry standards, providing a balanced experience that fits well within the broader landscape of action RPGs.

In conclusion, “Lords of the Fallen” provides a substantial and varied gameplay experience, with its duration reflecting the depth and complexity of its design. Players can tailor their experience based on their preferences, whether they seek a quick dive into the main story, an engaging exploration of side content, or a comprehensive completionist journey. The game’s duration ensures that it caters to different playstyles, making it a valuable addition to the action RPG genre.