The Sega Dreamcast Game That Takes The Longest To Beat

The Dreamcast may have completely failed, becoming the final chapter in Sega's storied fall from grace in the video game console market, but that doesn't mean the "Sonic the Hedgehog" developer's last flagship system didn't manage to produce a couple of bangers within its game library before the bitter end. From "Sonic Adventure" to "Jet Set Radio," the Dreamcast was home to influential titles that many nostalgic gamers reflect on fondly even today.

Still, while there's plenty of quality content to go around on the Dreamcast, even its longest, meatiest titles don't really stack up to the hundred-hour-plus runtimes of the juggernauts on modern systems. Even so, there are still a couple of titles on the Sega system that can take a decent while for plays to beat. In fact, the longest title on the platform with a definitive ending will take most gamers upwards of 40 hours to see through.

The game that takes the longest to beat on the Dreamcast also happens to be one of its most beloved entries: "Skies of Arcadia." Compared to some of the more bizarre Dreamcast RPGs, "Skies of Arcadia" is a fairly by-the-numers turn-based adventure that retains the genre's penchant for lengthy runtimes. Per HowLongtoBeat, "Skies of Arcadia" takes the average player roughly 44 hours to finish. Completionists see another 15 hours stacked on top, hitting approximately 59 hours.

Gameplay-wise, "Skies of Arcadia" features many elements that RPG fans will find solidly developed yet nevertheless familiar. Where the game's originality shines is in its plot and traversal mechanics. The story follows Vyse, the captain of a massive flying airship. Vyse operates outside of the law of the corrupt Valuan Empire, and he and his colleagues embark on an epic quest to take down the establishment. As such, players can control Vyse's airship, forging their own path through the game's world and making their own discoveries as the story progresses.

"Skies of Arcadia" holds a 93 on Metacritic, and it's definitely worth checking out for those that feel the game might appeal to their tastes. However, the ease of doing so is questionable. "Skies of Arcadia" is a valuable game in the modern market, with most pricing it at least over $100 for a used copy (via PriceCharting). While this classic RPG is worth a look, it'll be quite the investment to play on original hardware.