How short is TOO short for a video game?

GamesRadar: A lot of people are complaining about the length of God of War 3, claiming it takes 8 hours to finish. We reckon it takes between 10-12 depending on the difficulty setting, but it's definitely somewhere around there.

Considering the game is clearly a triple-A release, these complaints arguably say more about what people expect for their money than they do for the quality of the gameplay.

So tell us - how much game do you expect for your £40/$50? We've put together a short list of games to help you decide at which point you'd be happy with your purchase:

[LordMarius]

Suddenly this becomes an issue, God of War 3 must be a PS3 exclusive

[lociefer]

Why is every1 makin a big fckin deal about this, god, if u hate the ps3 so much go back to ur stupid gaylo, and i dont mean gamesradar, they mean good

[Eric Cartman]

Comparing an RPG with an action game isn't a very wise thing to do. I'm 10 hours into FF13 now. It took me just over 11 hours to beat GoW3. I couldn't put the controller down during GoW3 while for FF13, I'm just using the analog stick and X button most of the time. I even beat a boss while I was talking on the phone. Just run into a monster and press X until the battle is over, do the same again until you get into a cutscene only to be annoyed by Vanille, repeat the same process.

I'm not saying FF13 is a bad game, but the only reason RPGs like Pokemon and FF13 are longer than Modern Warfare and GoW is because you spend most of the time fighting enemies which is a repetitious process as well as exploration, which, in most cases, is hardly fun. It can be fun in some cases like in the Pokemon games or when you want to level up in an RPG to beat some Omega Weapon or something.

I'll take a short, but polished and detailed game over a long, boring one.

@MariusElijah

+1

[Natsu X FairyTail]

No . Short games always have been an issue dude.

People were pissed at MW2 campaign mode being Really short.People complained about ODST's Story mode Aswell and they submited alot of Articles about those issues back when the games were just released.

And wasnt you guys Poking fun at SplinterCell conviction , a game which isnt even out yet , for it's story mode lasting around 8-12hours Depending on the difficulty level you pick? Even though Conviction offers a Seperate Co-Op Compaign and Other Multiplayer Modes.

Short Term memory Ass mofos . Hypocrisy at it's best.

[nycredude]

@Natsu

Ps3 hater here talking about Hypocrisy? Come on man.

Using MW2 to compare to GOW 3? I hope you are joking. Quality wise they are not in the same league! And ODST? MW2 and ODST are at BEST 5 to 6 hours long and in the case of MW2 the mp is shiat and broken.

Let's take an average of 10 hours long for GOW3 (I know for a fact it will take me at least 12 hours, it is still double MW2 and ODST length. Matter of fact it is longer than both combined! ODST was the same mp as halo 3!

I also don't remember this many articles about those games being short so please spare us the spin. It is getting more and more obvious what is going on with the media regarding exclusives, especially Sony. It is the American way of doing business, and it's called smear campaign and deception, two commonly used tactics in the political world which should have no place in gaming.

If you can't read the writing on the wall then I don't know what you are smoking, but please puff puff pass.

Sorry about the rant. N4g is making me ALMOST wishing we could go back to the days when internet was in it's infancy and it was not so obvious how stupid people (in general) really are.

Edit: Since you bring up Splinter Cell Conviction. The problem I have with it, and the reason why i most likely won't buy it even though I was excited about it, is it is very coop and mp heavy which would mean you are forced to pay for live to get the full experience that you ALREADY paid for when you bought the game for $65! That is total BS!

[Rockox]

I've got no problem paying $60 for an 8-hour game. If I need to justify my spending, I just figure it's $7.50 per hour. That's way less than a movie rental or a night out at the movies. If a game is longer than 8 hours (and if you include any multiplayer), then it's just gravy.

[bacon13]

The only people complaining about GoW3 are those that can't play it. All others will have a huge 10-12 hour s*** eating grin on their faces.

[ThanatosDMC]

I say it depends on price. If it's a $5 game, i dont mind if it's a couple of hours long, but if it's a $65 game, then they had better make it worthy of that $65.

[ChozenWoan]

If I was playing ODST or MW2 I'd be done, yet those games get nothing but praise. GoW3 is the most OLYMPIC game I've played in my 30years of gaming... and I've still got 4-10 more hours to go before I even go for the harder settings.

I'm just glad the game isn't in 3D, then I'd have to sue Kratos for beating me up. ;)

[Pennywise]

Well truth is, not one entire 360 game comes close to even the first 10 minutes of GOW.

[Darkeyes]

I completed GOW3 just a shy above 11 hours which is longer than GOW1 and 2. Not to mention I will have a shot at it again in the hardest difficulty setting and will probably play it 3-4 more times, so in short I will easily play it more than 40-50 hours which is great news.. I usually exchange only single player games, but in this case I am gonna make an exception as it's really Epic....

IMO for an only Single player game, the game should be anywhere between 8-XX hours.. I won't mind shelling 60$ if something is really as great as GOW3 even if it's 6 hours long. But then again, games like MW2 and ODST which hardly last for 5 hours are the ones I think rip off people.

[UnwanteDreamz]

It only takes 8 hrs if you are an idiot who can't read. The game doesn't record cutscenes as part of your playthrough.

The fankids are like little monkeys in the zoo. They can't communicate so they throw feces at everyone.

[Greywulf]

*yawn*

I just hate when theres absolutely no 360 news to talk about until the end of the year, like every year. The rest of the time is just dedicated to hating anything and all things PS3, while giving the 360 passes for everything.

This is always going to happen, because theres always actually something to talk about for PS3 titles.

[GrieverSoul]

This is just unbelievable!!!
How can someone say the media isnt biased towards the PS3 when bad press comes about when a SONY exclusive comes toward release date?!

Heavy Rain = QTE fest!
FFXIII PS3´s version superior = Its all about gameplay, forget the looks... Hey X360 Bayonetta kicks PS3 version´s A**!!
Yakuza = Its too much japanese fanfare.

The media has always something to downplay a PS3 exclusive! Cmon guys, its ridiculous! Metro 2033 isnt getting any stellar reviews and no one is bashing the game. I, for once, would like it on the PS3!

An 8 hours game is a good 8 hours spent when you´re having fun! This is just an example, no dissing, Assassins Creed 2 lasted me about 20 hours of doing the same repetitive actions! The story unfolded very slowly during the 15 first hours. Then it climaxed! I rather spend 8 hours having fun and have variety in my gameplay than spend 20 hours doing the same repetitive actions.

2 cents...

[-Alpha]

and suddenly you forget about ODST, MW2, and numerous other games PS3 fans like yourself complained about?

Stop trying to play victim buddy, short games have always been problematic.

I don't like short games because I spend lots of money on new games. That's the only problem for me.

Quantity =/= quality and short games tend to be tighter paced and have better replay value. I've always ignored short games because of length in relation to price, not because I think they are of poor quality.

And since when does this website constitute for "the media"? When games like MW2 and ODST were ripped on for length nobody claimed the media was biased. PS3 fans get so butthurt over a criticism that they are so insecure about ruining the image of one of their products. Calling media bias is just a cop out. Address the damn issue and stop being hypocritical about it. Bring up VALID LOGICAL counter arguments instead of using fallacious childish reasoning. For example, did the guy who completed the game play on easy mode? Did he try to do a speed run?

And regarding God of War 3: http://www.playstationunive...

Even PS3 websites are pointing out the length of the game, so the sudden hypocrisy of blaming the "360-biased media" is nonsense.

The assumption everyone is afraid of is that short game= bad game, and I have no idea why people are thinking that. PS3 fans have gotten so arrogant that they EXPECT perfect scores and they aren't able to take any form of criticism. On one hand they complain that the media is 360 biased and yet they aren't willing for open-criticism and open mindedness because they are so sensitive about a single negative point made. Talk about hypocrisy.

I love how people suddenly think pointing out the concern of being short is made by a biased media aiming to hurt the game, yet MW2 and ODST and numerous other games that people have made articles about here on N4G are suddenly forgotten.

[Natsu X FairyTail]

Nycrude

I'm not a PS3 hater get your mind right. I dont like you guys here that's about it. I love ps3.

Grieversoul

I dont reckon people having problems with the Yakuza Series. People love it. Only bad thing I recall happening is the U.S Version having less content than the Japanese version of the game.

[UnwanteDreamz]

Here you are again wagging your judgmental finger at one side and ignoring the other. Where where your commnets on ODST being short? How about MW2 that I have seen you defend with the passion of a lunatic? Where is your level head then?

Day after day all I see from you is critisism towards the PS3 fankids but you seem to only be capable of seeing their BS.

Why are you using that link to a story that has nothing to do with the argument. The devs already said it was 11 to 12 including cutscenes that are not recorded by as gamplay time? Everyone postin 8.5 hrs is full of crap. They are using the recorded time the game gave them.

I'm glad to see that you can be above all the fankid stuff but seems one side of that gets a free pass from you always. Talk about playing the victim.

EDIT: If you are going to claim something you should offer proof. I would like to know how many REAL gaming websites critisized ODST and MW2 for being short. You must be reffering to blogs that pop up here. Blogs are not the media.

[Kevin ButIer]

That trolls ended with the "its too short" argument...

Wathever

[Rockox]

I would've enjoyed Dead Space alot more if it had been two levels shorter. Still a good game, just a biiiiiit too long for me.

[ReservoirDog316]

Well, I'm not getting GoW3 (I suck, suck at hack n slash games) but if it is kinda short, I'd say it wouldn't be an issue for me. One of my favorite things about Uncharted 1 was that it was so short. It means I could have fun and beat it in like a day or two (read: fun weekend game).

I loved Uncharted 2 (see my bio) but my one tiny problem with it was it was longer than the first. Meaning from a weekend game it's a week-long game.

My point is, people are just trying to complain. Short or long isn't a problem as long as there's replayablity.

[XRider]

God of War 3 isn't exactly short, now Modern Warfare is short. I think people expect games to be longer because of some of the things Sony said about Blu-ray adding to games.

[God_Of_Epicness]

Actually catching em all is impossible for any Pokemon series. You have to hack it.

[-Alpha]

Are you kidding? I have trashed on MW2 like nothing other. You are clearly misinformed. Also, in regards to length the difference is that both of these games have a Multiplayer component in which the game is not played for the single player but for the multiplayer. ODST is an exception where the story was heavily hyped only to have it fall short in length, but like I have said, quality has never been dependent on length.

MW2 is a trash game all around. ODST is DLC that Bungie charged full price for and justified that with the same multiplayer and a new mode. The difference with these two games is that they have a multiplayer, and multiplayer is the main focus. You don't judge uncharted 2 primarily by MP do you? Actually, ODST is primarily a Single player game, and yes, it was short and TRASHED by every PS3 fan and even 360 fans. I am the one who said that length does not dictate how good a game is and that is the EXACT same thing I said about God of War 3 on this very page. You missed my point: Marius tries to act as if the media is out to sabotage God of War and says that it's Clearly a PS3 title because people are criticizing the length when he knows damn well that length has been criticized in many games, 360 exclusives included.

"Day after day all I see from you is critisism towards the PS3 fankids but you seem to only be capable of seeing their BS."

Again, you are misinformed. There is much more PS3 news here than 360 first of all and much more PS3 fanboys than 360 ones. When an anti-PS3 article like this one gets approved it's media bias. When an article that says 360 is more expensive than PS3 it's "the truth".

"Why are you using that link to a story that has nothing to do with the argument. The devs already said it was 11 to 12 including cutscenes that are not recorded by as gamplay time? Everyone postin 8.5 hrs is full of crap. They are using the recorded time the game gave them."

GOOD. THAT is what I wanted to see! An actual argument instead of "omg, the media is biased!" I have no problem with this comment you are making, at least you have the balls to provide a constructive argument. The point of the link was to show that it's not just a biased 360 media that is pointing out length yet PS3 fans are acting like length is suddenly an issue.

The irony of shortness is that with ODST and MW2 PS3 fans had no problem bashing length, yet when the same is done with a PS3 game it suddenly becomes wrong to do so.

Your complaint about me favoring one side has nothing to do with this, yet you bring it up, what's the relevancy of that? I've already told you before that this site and its users have a clear favoritism towards the PS3. People throw a hissy fit when something bashes the PS3 here but when something bashes the 360 nobody complains: just look at how the recent articles proclaiming Move will beat Wii AND Natal, how the 360 will lose console wars, how 360 is more expensive. All of that is regarded as "truth" articles, yet when someone tries to question the length of a PS3 game it suddenly becomes biased.

PS3 fans here are so uptight about something negative being said that they completely ignore or deny the facts and resort to fallacious ad hominens like "the media is biased" instead of just realizing that a negative comment doesn't make you some kind of anti-PS3 fanboy. And on this site it's PS3 fanboys. On other sites is 360 fanboys who cry about someone daring to say "MS milks its fanbase".

People will hide behind disagrees, throw around juvenile assumptions like "the media is biased", and totally get insecure if the media says something bad. So WHAT if God of War is short? Why does that make it a bad thing? Why are people SO adamant on the media perceiving this game to be perfect? Every game has flaws, and if length is one of them then so be it.

[sid4gamerfreak]

Why has this pointless article been approved?

[Tiberium]

The God of war collection was an amazing deal. 40+ hours of HD remastered gameplay for only $30. And yet GOW3 is only 8 hours at $60. I could finish it in one sitting.

[MazzingerZ]

I think 20-30 minutes would be too short unless it's full with cheap deaths and hard as hell and no check points nor possibility to save...oh wait...

[TechnicalBS]

I couldn't careless how good of a game both GoW or ODST were. I'm not paying $60 for a game that's only 5 to 8 hours long. I made the mistake with MW2, but I'm not repeating that same mistake.

Just take a look at games like Mass Effect and MGS4. Those games were a good 20/30 hours, and they were beautiful to look at. Not to mention epically fun.

I'm glad that game reviewers are telling their readers how long these games are. I hope they don't stop.

[The Wood]

the point is that it isn't short and neither is mgs4 just because some can beat it in under 5 hours. The media is biased...please just deal with it. Its BS plus that of the yesteryear superfanboys like cybersentinal, mart et el have almost created a seige mentality for ps3 owners...some of which have become too sensitive but the fact remain that the western media has its own champion now...the 360. Sony is not 'their own' or 'one of ours' and looking after your own is human nature across the globe from individuals top organisations. I sometimes ask my american buddies why some of them feel american cars are better than european ones.....its not what they KNOW its what they're TOLD...american cars are the best....the european cars are not that much better.... a european v6 is quicker than our v12s because x fud....Its human nature. Some people really do think american cars are better and you have to ask yourself WHY? People underestimate how strong a tool the media is....Why'd you think so much money gets spent on advertising, marketing, viral, slander....for kicks maybe? Wake UP

Not at you alpha but inspired by

[boodybandit]

Battlefield Bad Company 2.
In 1 day I beat the game (skipped the cut scenes) and reached level 5 online. Now that is short!

Dante's Inferno was a short game too.
Then again most games are short if you just rush through them and don't look for the items and battle all the enemies. I don't see why this is being raised. Why is it length, and in most cases, lack of online modes, made such a big deal of this generation?

If you don't want to purchase it, RENT IT!
For me personally God of War 3 is an absolute must have game regardless of length! Quality earns my dollar every time.

[-Alpha]

Fair enough. Even if we share conflicting views I can at least rely on you to provide proper reasoning.

My comment was mainly associated with the fact that even though media may have a bias it's not fair to take the other high road and act as if a game is impervious to flaws and criticisms. People always seem to take one end of an extreme.

I don't understand why a game being short has to be turned into a bad thing or the media trying to bash it. In fact, outside of N4G's politics I haven't seen reviews deduct heavy points for length whatsoever. Yet, with N4G, every person who has a semi-functioning brain can post something that can get approved. GoW may be short-- the series has always been around or under 20 hours, and if people are claiming to beat it in 8 hours then there is no need to make the generalization that the whole media is out to attack another PS3 game as if short games have never before received heat or concern. That was my only problem. PS3 fans, and fans in general of a console are so paranoid with a negative criticism that they aren't ever willing to criticize something of their console just because it gives ammunition to the opposite fan group. It's such a sad, pathetic, and dishonest perspective that people have.

[EvilBlackCat]

Some people here complained about some Multiplatform(The ones that sell more on Xbox360) & some Xbox360 games of been short.

I have a greeeeeeeeeaaaat question for you

WHY DA FnCK are you complaining now stupid fanboys?

8? The game is great anyway

10? The game is great anyway

12? The game is great anyway

WTF THEN?

[kancerkid]

@boodybandit

Try getting to lvl 50 in MP

[DailyAddict]

ODST was 4 hours long. So stfu please.

[badz149]

Heavenly Sword, gears1, ODST, MW2, Lego Indiana Jones...are TOO SHORT! 8+ hours games aren't short by any meaning! there's nothing else to complaint about GoW3 and the media is bringing up the 'too short' card! why am I not surprised? oh...another PS3 exclusive shows its AWESOMENESS! god forbid that happens without bashing!

[boodybandit]

I will get to level 50 on both PSN and XBL.
I actually find it easier to level up the more powerful I get. I am level 20 on PSN and I got 22706 points in one round. When you first start out you are lucky to break a hundred.

[kewlkat007]

Really, that's why it comes down to...this will take nothing from the game/series but the wheel goes round and round...

[coolfool]

was TR:Legend 4-6 hours? To do it in that time (esp. 4hrs) you would have had to ignore all the secrets and had it on the easiest difficult.

At moderate difficulty and searching for a moderate amount of collectables I would says it's anywhere from 8 - 12 hours. I don't even remember reviews complaining about the game length.

I hate it when websites talk complete crap! Grrr

From IGN:

Lasting Appeal
A nine- to 12-hour single-player offline game, but you can replay any level as a time trial, and a bucketload of collectibles (gold, silver, bronze) will keep completists happy for several hours more.

[unworthyBOZO]

8-10 hours is fine for me especially when the game is as amazing as God of War III, seems to me 360 trolls are butthurt.

[WMW]

all i have to say is reviewers had no problem with gow3 and neither do the people playing it now. i guess length only matters when the game is trash like odst. so the bots can scream 8 hrs for the rest of their miserable lives it isn't going to change the fact it is a masterpiece. : )

[borgome]

8 hours of button mashing hack & slash, maybe. I guess I could possibly pick it out of the bargain bin for 5 or 10 bucks, but thats it though.

[nycredude]

Good luck finding GOW 3 for $5 within the next 2-3 years. You'd have a better chance of finding a game on the 360 worth playing. Oops what DID I do!? See what I did there. The only way to combat stupidity is with more stupidity.

[yourgodisdead]

Any game which has a main story mood under 6 hours is too short.

[tunaks1]

unlike MW2 short ass campaign I'm willing to bet GOW III's will actually be worth playing.

[AngryFork]

7 hours or less is too short for 60$. 8 hours is ehh, but it better be hell of an experience.

Doesn't matter though because the only people who beat games like GOW (on their first play-through) within 8 hours are people who rush all the time and don't look in every area or fight every enemy. With games like that I end up beating them in 12-15 hours on the first play-through because I look everywhere I can and fight all the enemies, I take it slow and enjoy the experience.

These guys rush through everything and then act like it's Sony's fault they speed-ran through the game and then post bait articles about how the game is short so they could get more hits on their crappy website/blog that nobody would ever look at if it weren't for the flamebait.

[ChozenWoan]

It's the only way possible. I've got the book, but I'm not using that until after my first play through. I like to see if I can figure everything out myself. Makes me proud that "I" beat the game and not just followed the book as if I was a robot that needed to be given step by step instructions.

If I look at the book it will be only because I got stuck, and I mean really got stuck for a while.

[iPad]

Wow this is the most f*cked up thing ever!

When Modern Warfare 2 came out, a 6 HOUR CAMPAIGN no one complained. (im talking about the media, not the CoD Fanboys)

But when God of War III comes out, they f*cking complain!!! Stupid arrogant fanboys. "OH! its a PS3 exclusive! Now lets bash it all we want" WTF IS GOING ON?!!? Worst gaming generation ever.

[drtanuyn]

well said old boy!!

couldnt have said it better myself...

[ceedubya9]

BUT, you can't really use a short single player game with a multiplayer component as an example comparison to games that are single player only.

Not to mention that MW2 is a shooter. 9x out of 10 shooters these days will have some type of online multiplayer, makes game lenght a non-issue (unless you just don't want to play the multiplayer).

[beardpapa]

can't just take a jab at any multiplat game. Must take jabs at PS3 exclusives because flamebait articles = hits

[Sir_Ken_Kutaragi_]

'ZERO' HOURS of gameplay!!! ;-D

[BlackTar187]

heavnely sword even though awesome was abit to short.

but it depends on what you like. ODST was real short but i liked the MP COD was terrible short and loved the MP for about 2months and now will never play it again. So to me its very subjective

there are 2 lengths that are a problem.
1 too short
2 too long

and if the experience is really good unfort. to short is the only bad one.

[Dead_Cell]

Oficially the greatest game ever.

[DanyBrown]

true haha im 190 hours in and no sign of stopping lol

[Socomer 1979]

Just to Face Poseidon.

The epic fight has permantly burned my eyelids off.
I'll never forget it.

[BeaArthur]

Don't care how long the story is if it has a good multiplayer that goes with it. If there is no online component than I need at least a good 12 hours and some extras to not feel like I wasted my money.

[ceedubya9]

But I don't think that that will be an issue with GoW3. The other 2 games before it seemed to have pretty good length. I'm sure part 3 will as well.

When it comes down to it, game length can differ from person to person. What may be 8-10 hours for some may be 11-13 for me or something like that. Some people really seem to fly through games, and I don't know how they do it.

Heavenly Sword is the only action game of its type that I played that actually felt too short to me.

[EliteAssassin81]

I'm playing gow3 now and I can tell that I will definitely being playing through several more times just like I did with the first 2, I'm tired of ppl finding stuff to complain about on every game that comes out regardless of how awesome it is . If you can't enjoy games for what they are, then find a new hobby

[HenryFord]

It is too short, no questions asked. But nevertheless worth the money, and I'm sayin' this as pc-only (ah, well - I have a PS2 ;) )... Take the first Splinter Cell, I remember the drama around the single-player which took about 10hrs as well...
I have to agree: For 10hrs 60€ isn't nice but it is not bad either... Would say like a C or B in Price/Performance, but it is okay, totally worth it. It's just: If you're not into this type of games then, yes then you shouldn't consider buying...
GOW 2 was beaten by me for about 8-10 times since the purchase, and then again the Price/Performance suddenly becomes A LOT better...(I'm sure that everyone who's purchasing it, will beat the game more than one time...)

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Anything less than 8-10 hours for a single player only game is too short for my $60.

I've really only played maybe 1 or 2 games this gen that actually felt short.. Modern Warfare 2 SP being one of them, even on Veteran. You can tell they completely shat on the SP this time around compared to MW.

[Dead_Cell]

I don't have a game that I can pick up when i'm in the mood of "I cannot be bothered being tactical, I just feel like knocking the f**k out of something". GoW III it is.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

are all people who WON'T even PLAY or OWN that said game or console... EVER!!!

This is where other gamers opinions don't matter to me...

GOW3 and the Uncharted series are 2 huge franchises I play on 1 day years from now... going back and hooking up the PS3 to play them again for the memories. They just are that good. I'd love to play Gears again to, years from now... as long as my console still works... I will!

[Aclay]

"Uncharted 2: 10-12 hours" My first playthrough of UC2 was 13 hours

"Metal Gear Solid 4: 10-20 hours, depending on whether you watch the cutscenes". I clocked in at 24 hours in MGS4 for my first playthrough, including cutscenes.

Overall, I tend to complete games around the Average length that developers give out and sometimes a little over the Average. I always really take my time during the first playthroughs of any games I get, so I'm not worried about God of War 3 only lasting 8 hours for me.

I've beaten the God of War games on Very Hard Mode before, and if I wanted I could go through GOW3 on Very Hard for my first playthrough to possibly double my play length, but I'd rather save all that frustration from dying and super tough enemies for my 2nd or 3rd playthrough and just enjoy it on Normal first.

For me there's not really a such thing as a game that's too short as long as it's a very satisfying experience.

[ColossiSlayer]

Like Killzone 2 or underrated like Motorstorm Pacific Rift... Another AAA Exclusive by Sony, and by exclusive I mean it won't be on PC anytime soon, lol...

[MajestieBeast]

Funny how we didnt hear this when games like bioshock 2 were released which was a crappy game and the multiplayer was cheap.

[drtanuyn]

i would say ... probably 1hour would be too little...

so that being, god of war3 hasnt got a problem..

hold up,
wasnt modern warfare 2 somewhere between 4-6hrs of gameplay..
and yes im aware it has online mutiplayer, for continual gaming..
but what happens for someone who hasnt got internet access...hmmmm??

[ceedubya9]

Most shooters have an online component. Its usually just as much a part of the gaming package (if not the majority of the package)as the single player portion is. Anyone going to buy a game with online multiplayer that doens't have high speed connection should be warned that informed that they are going to miss out on at least half of the game.

And with today's online world, I'd expect consumers to really pay attention to what they are buying, as they should be aware that a lot of games offer some sort of online capabilities, and they should research their possible purchase to make sure that they can get everything out of it.

[Rowsdower]

of certain ps3 owners who imagine that they are persecuted on N4G, every console and most every game gets sh*t on here, especially if said game has any hype or anticipation associated with it.

while I agree that complaining about campaign length is absurd; I am tired of hearing people go on and on about this. you do realize that the nature of gaming journalism (if you can even call it that) sucks, and that N4G itself and the community it created fosters a sick symbiotic dysfunctional relationship in which both sides support each other in garbage such as this.

so calm the f*ck down and take a breath, and realize that some of you talked smack about a game in the past in the same manner, and you will use this affront as an excuse to do the same exact thing in another thread in the future.

none of us are innocent here, and just because you cant remember another game catching as much flak does not mean it did not happen.

[ApocalypseShadow]

that there is an equal amount of fud spread around for 360 game?

"why i hate mass effect 2.""why i hate the controls of alan wake.""natal is just an eyetoy/pseye" articles."natal will fail and here's why.""is microsoft spending too much money on marketing than on creating their games?"

NOPE.don't see a lot of that.

but i DO see ps3 games held to a higher standard at EDGE,destructoid,eurogamer,gam edaily,gamesradar,etc.

i DO see gametrailers f#cking up their videos to make 360 look better or as good as ps3 games.then try to hide it.how can you use ps3 games in both videos and not see that as an editor?

i DO see games on 360 get a pass for no multiplayer for FPS games.or is short and nothing but an expansion like ODST.but get 9s and 10s for originality.we see broken online games like gears get passes and games like MAG that put 256 players in a game get ragged on.

sony shoots from the hip and shows that Move works and presents it to developers at GDC.we see microsoft not even show up to give developers a clue at GDC.but natal will change gaming forever.

nope.there's no bias going on.GT5 taking years to be perfect?it's delayed because of forza3 or they are having problems.

alan wake taking years to make.oh...it's to make a quality game.

WAKE UP DUDE.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

wake the f#ck up.

[Rowsdower]

you feed off this nonsense and gaming "journalism" feeds off of you

i'm not gonna get into a tit for tat with you, you just keep playing the victim and I'm gonna go play GOW3 and not give a sh*t about what anyone has to say about the game.

looking over your comments you seem to spend alot of time defending the PS3, the PS3 does not need your undying devotion. It will do just fine without it. This is supposed to be a place for gamers to congregate and discuss gaming instead half the time people are just fighting each other. Its stupid, and some of the personalities on N4G seem to enjoy attacking each other day in and day out. I dont care about the nonsense that is this story, I do care about how I interact with my peers on this site, and this story and the responses it has gotten represent exactly what I'm getting at.

[Pennywise]

So much easier to blow it off as a conspiracy theory and call it nonsense than realize there is actual bias in the industry.

Its obvious. Its been proven over and over, yet people still think anyone who sees it is crazy.

We aren't feeding it. We are F#@*$&@# sick of it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

there's no undying devotion.just common sense as a gamer.

broken systems put out and supported?making gamers pay for online play?making gamers pay for proprietary accessories because they don't have a choice to get a better deal?paying for exclusive DLC to hurt another group of gamers?

redesigning the system with hdmi but not helping the component gamer?dropping the xbox early? to get a small lead?spending more on marketing than creating the games for gamers?buying advertisers to stroong arm reviewers,magazines,websites?

you seem to be just a gamer.but to support and justify microsoft's actions,the arrogance of the executives....is just being foolish.things will get worse for gamers because gamers like you aren't doing this:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Rowsdower]

bias exists in every aspect of human existence

what I am saying is that Sony is doing fine, they have been successful for longer than many of you have been alive and will continue to be successful. Yet some of you act as if you are on the front lines of some war, which you are not. I am saying take personal responsibility and dont flip out every time some freaking gaming blog puts down the PS3 or the 360 for that matter. I dont want to fight you guys, I would rather add you to my friends list and play MAG or BFBC2 or hell some online competitive Peggle. I would rather discuss the plot intricacies of Heavy Rain, or what aspects of Uncharted 2 you would like to see in another game like Gears. Anything but this.

I will back off.... now I'm getting hate filled pm's...N4G can be a sad and scary place.... I'll leave you folks to it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

you seem to be a level headed guy.and i see your point of view that we should have better news about games than all these flame bait articles.

i also see your point of view the we should be just playing games and having fun.i can't disagree with you there.i agree to that.

i just hope you see that i was once like you.i just bought systems,played games and had fun.but i can't agree to buy into microsoft's view of gaming when it costs gamers more than they should in more ways than one.

there are games on 360 that i would play.but i won't give them my money like i did with xbox1(still have it and love it for certain games on it like nfl2k5.)

but i'm not bashing you.i've seen your posts and know what you are saying.and i was there at one time.happy gaming with your choices.because it is your choice to make.

[Socomer 1979]

Expect some very weak minded Original Xbox owners, HD-DVD supporters, zune users, Vista enthusiast, xbox360 tenants to repeat the same crap back at me in the comments.

Somehow, your efforts are as futile as the damned as those sent to hades.
This game is so bloody you'll throw up!

[Rowsdower]

here is an example of the type of commenter that poisons our community

http://n4g.com/up/61504/com...

[mrv321]

MW2 took me about 4 hours to complete, seriously. It got great scores it didn't deserve. While 8 hours isn't long it's probably going to be the best 8 hours of march.

[borgome]

awwww, can you beat a game with the difficulty set on toddler.

[mrv321]

I play games for fun, duying is not fun.

I'm currently going through it on veteran BTW.

[Darkfiber]

I think almost every game is too short, but I still buy a lot of games cause I like them. I wish every game was 50-100 hours, even God of War games. No one says you have to play it in one sitting, you can play chunks at a time. No such thing as "too long" for any type of game. The only games that are long enough are MMOs or really long RPGs with good replayability/multiple character creations; games that you can play for months or years. I don't really see any excuse any game has to be 8 hours long, especially ones that have been in development for years. 20 should be the minimum, but it'll never happen.

[Joni-Ice]

8 hours is a ok time lenth in a God of War type of game. Yes if it was longer and kept the same tempo through the rest of the game it will still be an awesome game. The question we should be asking is should we be paying $60 for a game like Terminator Salvation. Not only the game was super short but had only 12 or 13 trophies/achievements if that.

[alphakennybody]

it always becomes an issue when it come to a PS3 exclusives, Talk about double standard. Western media falls down to a new level.

[MetalGearBear]

Gow1 5-6 hours to finish.
Gow2 6-7 hours to finish.
Gow3 8-10 hours to finish.

Gow3 is not short. stop complaining.

[Pennywise]

Wrong. Wrong. i dont know yet. Both 1 & 2 took me longer to beat them than that. I guess we all don't play on EASY.

[BoneIdle]

Games used to be fun puzzle games that tested your skill and timing. But no adays they have to be so much more. They need to be large scale epics that need a story line its hard to stretch out a good story and keeping the action relevant.

[The Time Reaper]

I don't recall game length ever being a selling point or box bullet point in past generations? I can beat Super Metroid in 2 hours. Yet it's an amazing experience. Start Fox? Turtles in Time? 22 minutes, tops.

Do people really just not replay games for fun anymore? That seems to be the general consensus.

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

I dont think 8-12 hours is to short for an action packed game, but at the same time its not really exceeding my expectation being SP only game. Ill defiantly play through it though because it looks to be an action packed 8-12 hours.

[dkgshiz]

How is this an issue with people? Its not like any of the previous games were any longer. Either way I cant wait to pick up GOW 3 tonight.

[Pennywise]

It is an issue because the idiots making it an issue can't play it unless they buy the better console.

[dkgshiz]

Yeah thats pretty much how FF13 was. Thats why I couldn't play it anymore. Just walk up to an enemy and bash x. That was the entire game.

[dredgewalker]

Im so itching to play this right now. Since all they can nitpick is the time it takes to finish which actually is the just right for a single player game. If this is the worst they can say then this is truly a great game worth my purchase.

[CobraKai]

I would rather have an 8 hour game like this than a 100+ hour game like Oblivion

[clintos59]

Yes ps3 blockbusters get treated like this from the media for HITS. Most of these sites are the ones who arent getting enough hits on their crappy site so they find the best way to attract fanboys and thats bashing ps3 exclusives. I know alot of us ps3 owners will defend the awesome games we have but dont fall for these idiotic sites bait because your only helping them out with hits. I myself know how amazing god of war 3 is and could give a flying sack of horse manuer how short the game is because I know even if I beat it in 8 hours, its going to be one of the best 8 hours I ever had in my life along with millions of others who will feel the same.

[BubbleSystemSuck]

Short for me is, a game that you pay 60$.... and you can finish it in under 6 hours... and the first DLC is priced at 15$ for 3 new maps...

Sound familiar?

[gamingisnotacrime]

Forget the scale of the battles, EPIC story, fluid action with AMAZING visuals, forget the high replay value, different modes, battle arenas, top of the line production values, etc etc. All this is meaningless because someone can rush through the game in 8 hours!!!!!!!

FK this Sht, im pissed to see low quality games like MW2 and ODST get praise from the same aholes that are bashing GoW 3 because the game CAN BE finished in 8 hours. Say what u want but GoW 1 and 2 are over 12 hours for me, i usually die a lot and take my time looking around so i expect GoW 3 to take me 15 hours, if it takes 11 i dont give a sht because the game is the closest thing to perfection i have seen in my life (gamer life).

Whoever says the media is not biased against PS3 exclusives should take a look at this sht and if that is not enough then you are blinded by the green googles, the 360 is great, but it just happens that the PS3 is GREATER, and each month is becoming more of a fact than opinion with the superb exclusives being released so far into 2010.

Is not that my opinion is influenced by this media loosers, but many people that dont know the reality of the media biased approach read this sht and think that it is a real issue when it is not. People who play the game must read this and laugh. Remember what was the defense for MW2 as seen in the latest Game Informer issue 203 page 6 "The Shortest War" the response to the reader was and i quote "The 5 hours of MW2 solo campaign are packed with non stop explosive thrills-would you rather see those moments spread out and diluted solely for the sake of filling an arbitrary time requirement?" end quote. Now to see GoW3 being attacked for its lenght makes me think WTF is going on with this bunch of losers????
My 2 cents

[dib8rman]

I guess, but is god of war even a game anymore at 8 hours?

Is the game 8 hours or is it just that they didn't have any more FMV's they wanted to show after you add in the game play?

[divideby0]

If you can finish God of War in 8 hours, you are stupid not to play it on a harder setting. Its like me skiing on Green trails headed straight downhill...what is the point.
I also noticed those who finished it in 8 hrs arent commenting on how great the game is.

If you are writing an article about God of War and just talking game length vs how great the game is, you are inept and should not be writing for a gaming site on the net. You are missing the big picture to get clicks and not doing gamers, the site or yourself any justice

[The Maxx]

No biggy. I don't care. I enjoyed COD4's single player campaign and it was only 4 hours, I enjoyed MW2's single player campaign and it was also only around 4 hours long. GoW3 is around 8-10 hours long. To me that's a long time for a single player game so I have no issues with GoW's length. However I won't be buying it. I will just borrow it off my brother who is getting it. But he is balls deep in FFXIII on the PS3, I will just borrow GoW3 off him, finish it and return it to him while he is still playing FFXIII.

[bjornbear]

than pay 60 bucks for countless hours of mediocre gaming.

[Fragger2k8]

I don't care what the genre is, if a game is single player only and costs around $60, then it should be NO LESS than 15 hours long. 5 hours is way too short, and 10 just isn't enough. 15 would be ok as long as the quality of it was great. Anything under 15 hours needs to either have some good replay value, or a cheaper price tag. All of this should apply to co-op games as well.

If a game has online multiplayer, then it's alright if the single player is shorter, but anything less than 5 hours would still be pretty ridiculous for $60. Also, a game that is multiplayer only needs to be a lot of fun and have a lot of content and great replay value to justify the price.

There really are a lot of factors that go into what makes a game worth the money or not. If someone wants to be a smart shopper they need to ask themselves questions like these;

- What is the price?
- How long is the campaign?
- Does it have online multiplayer?
- Does it have local play?
- Does it have Co-op? (online or offline)
- Is there anything for replay value?
- How big is the community?
- Does the game feel finished?
- What genre is it?
- Is it a new IP?
- If it's not a new IP, does it add anything new?
- Was a lot of effort put into making it?
- Does it seem like it was made just to get your money?

I ask myself these kinds of questions all the time and do a lot of research before I spend anything on a game. I end up passing on a lot of them because of these short lengths, small followings, or little replay value. Most games just don't have enough to them to make me want to slap down $60.

[nogolis]

As I said many times... I beat GOW3 in 14 hours over the weekend after our GDC trip. I'm happy with it. To me, and I'm not even really finished-finished with it, it wasn't an 8 hour game. We still have Arena, Challenge and trophies to master. Plus, as we reported months ago, GOW3 is getting a multiplayer Gladiator mode. Bank it. 100%

[cereal_killa]

Well they can't bash Graphics because it's one of the best looking games released this year, They can't bash reviews score because it the Highest rated EXCULSIVE so far this year. Sales haven't been released since it's the first day of release but that will be tomorrow, So that leaves there last line of defense the length of the game. Developers of the game have already said the game is about 10-12 hrs long but some loser journalist claims he beat the game in 8 hr so hops on his blog and creates the flamebait that the Muppet's need to bash this game until the Sales get released.

[The Iron Sheik]

You nailed it dude. That is exactly why there is all this talk about game length.

[wissam]

So The Game is Short. the Same Goes for Almost Every Game In the Market Now.

[foxxy]

The only franchise that make me do that is final fanatasy god war is a another beast the first god of war wasnt that long why would this one be and i like it that way god of war has alot of replay value so why is it bad?

[ChickeyCantor]

I love how people say Quality over Quantity.
Fact is, they want it to be longer, but the development costs wont allow it.

I seriously hate this gen for giving us short games.
But I guess its just something we should adapt to.

Its not like Zelda TP was horrible content wise cause it was 32 hour long ( in my first run)

[Meryl]

how come this issue has not been brought up until GOW III comes out, what about the lack of hours you spend on SP on ODST, or even modern warfare, it think there are too many double standards recently.
just watch alan wake will not be any longer and it will be praised just because it's on x360 and it's not a ps3 exclusive

[Father Murder X]

I thought that one of the advantages of Blu-ray was longer games.All I have experienced is a bunch of damn beautiful and long cutscenes.

Oops I don't think I was suppose to say that!!!

Let me get my blind fold and a cigarette before the ps3 fanboy firing squad enters. Just joking!!!! LOL

Seriously I don't think that its a bias towards one system or another as far as the criticism of a games lenght. I think that we have become use to some form of online multiplayer with most games. Hell no one complains about Gears because most people dive into multiplayer. I bought Halo 3 on launch day and didn't beat the campaign mode until last summer. I personally won't buy a game unless it has some form of online multiplayer (Heavy Rain was a rare purchase). It adds more value to the game. I am not sure what they could have done with God Of War but they could have done something knowing the game wasn't that long.

[yoghurt]

I think 6 hours minimum, and that 6 hours is amazing then all the better

saying that, if its a 2 hour game but the best 2 hours ive ever played then thats fine too!

so I guess its not about the length!!

[pauwus]

Good article, I liked it.

[Xander756]

That's why I like RPGs the most, because you get so many more hours of gameplay. I'm STILL playing Fallout 3!

[DRE1970]

some of these same people talking about $60.00 for 8 hours. are the same people who bought 360 three times RROD

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Just because you CAN beat God of War III in 8 hours, doesn't make it a 8 hour game. Metal Gear Solid 4 CAN be beaten in 5 hours to get the Big Boss emblem, but that's only if you skip 70% of what the game has to offer. I never understood people's obsessions with running through games as fast as possible, then complaining they didn't get their money's worth.

[MeatAbstract]

I can remember beating the original Silent Hill in 7 hours. I beat the first God of War in under 7 and the second in about 9.

This is what I'm used to, I don't care as long as its a good ride while it lasts. Suddenly because consoles have the ability for everyone play online, every game needs an online for 'replayability'.

For the people saying that they wouldn't pay full price for a 8 hour game, gamers have done this for years. Why is it such a big deal now?

Besides, you'd have to be a complete dolt not to give a God of War game multiple playthroughs, they are that enjoyable.

[The Iron Sheik]

In my opinion 6 hours.

[VanHalen]

anyone mess with the display setting screen scale in GOW3? when i checked it i noticed it was default all the way zoomed in and could not see the 4 red corner arrows. when zoomed out just about halfway it seemed to fit the screen perfect. i suggest checking this out to anyone who just purchased the game. it was cutting off quite a bit of the picture. anyone here know anything about this?

[kraze07]

The length of a game isn't something I worry about when buying new games.

[Tony-A]

Why was this not blown out of proportion when Gears came out?

Just wondering.

[Morgue]

I think what people fail to realize is that when some buy a game they'll sit there and crack out on it till they beat it and then complain it was too short.