In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels dominate our attention, the gaming industry has adapted to maintain player engagement. This has led to a trend where many games prioritize quick action and instant gratification. However, a handful of adventurous titles choose to defy this norm, embarking on lengthy introductions that set the stage for immersive experiences.
These games often feature protracted tutorials, extended prologues, or detailed world-building that can test players’ patience. While this approach can be either rewarding or tedious, it creates a stark contrast with the typical fast-paced gameplay prevalent in modern titles. Below, we explore some noteworthy games that take considerable time to get to the action, highlighting their unique approaches and the potential payoff for players willing to invest the time.
10 Metaphor Reimagining
I Just Can’t Wait To Be King
ATLUS is known for crafting intricate JRPGs, and their latest title, Metaphor ReFantazio, is no exception. Like many games in the SMT and Persona franchises, it takes considerable time—over 10 hours—to immerse players in its rich narrative and complex world. From unpacking a convoluted monarchy to addressing underlying religious tensions, the game meticulously prepares players before they can set forth on their adventuring quests.
As players navigate this slow build-up, they encounter pivotal events, from losing key team members to fighting dragons, which weave together to create a robust storyline. Despite the drawn-out beginning, many fans find it rewarding as it provides depth and context that enhances the overall gaming experience.
9 Kingdom Hearts 2
Who The Hell is Roxas?
While the extended tutorial section in Kingdom Hearts 2 is often criticized, it is beloved by some for its emotional storytelling. Players spend significant time with Roxas—an unfamiliar character for those who skipped the spin-off titles. This lengthy introduction serves as a crucial bridge between the first game and its sequel, fostering emotional connections that resonate throughout the series.
Despite its three-hour duration, the segment successfully develops Roxas and Axel’s relationship, showcases an evocative setting, and establishes the intricate link between Sora and Roxas. While many argue it could have been condensed, the rich narrative justifies its length for dedicated fans.
8 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Just A Regular Dude
Kingdom Come: Deliverance embraces its slower pace to offer players an authentic RPG experience rooted in realism. Players step into the shoes of Henry, an unskilled peasant, and must engage in mundane tasks that simulate life in 15th-century Bohemia. The game prioritizes grounded development, forcing players to grapple with and master intricate systems such as combat, diplomacy, and trade.
Although the initial hours can feel sluggish, they lay the groundwork for a rewarding journey through a beautifully rendered historical landscape once the learning curve is surpassed.
7 Fallout 3
I Am Alpha And Omega…
The tutorial of Fallout 3 is heralded for its mix of narrative allure and gameplay introduction. Yet, reverting to this opening after a few playthroughs reveals how tedious parts of it are. Players experience a heartwarming bonding moment with Liam Neeson’s character, tackle fights with Butch, and ultimately escape Vault 101. However, the anticipation to step out into the Capital Wasteland can feel agonizingly prolonged.
Fortunately, there are mods available to expedite this experience for PC gamers, though many console players remain tethered to the original pacing.
6 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
A Glorified Action Movie
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain presents players with a lengthy, cinematic prologue that plays more like an extended cutscene than a gameplay introduction. This artistic choice confines players to an interactive narrative that, while gripping, delays access to the game’s renowned mechanics.
With the potential to turn players off due to its drawn-out nature, completing this theatrical opening in one sitting is crucial. However, subsequent battles in the game reward patience by immersing you into the heart of stealth-based gameplay that the series is revered for.
5 Cyberpunk 2077
One Last Job
In a bold move, Cyberpunk 2077 offers players the opportunity to customize their character’s opening narrative. However, all paths lead to a lengthy heist mission alongside Jackie Wells that consumes a significant portion of gameplay before players can genuinely explore the vibrant world of Night City. This portion effectively shapes the relationships and stakes that define the game’s tone.
While lengthy, the experience delivers engaging dialogue and character development that enriches the overall narrative, setting the stage for exploration that unfolds after several hours of groundwork.
4 Assassin’s Creed 3
Wait, Are We The Baddies?
Much like its thematic counterpart, Kingdom Hearts 2, the structure of Assassin’s Creed 3 leads players astray. Initially controlling Haytham Kenway, players must invest 5-6 hours getting acclimated to the historical setting and character dynamics before they finally assume the role of Connor Kenway. This extended prologue is richly woven with backstory and motive, creating a compelling character arc.
The innovative twist that unveils the Templars’ role in this historical saga not only captivates players but also enhances their anticipation for the gameplay that follows.
3 The foretold
This Is Torture!
In stark contrast to the other titles, Forspoken suffers from an opening that is both tedious and frustrating. While the game boasts remarkable traversal mechanics, the first few hours are filled with uninspiring mechanics and mundane fetch quests that do little to captivate the player. The protagonist’s unlikable demeanor and vacant environment contribute to an overall disengaging experience.
Players may find themselves disengaged before the parkour abilities truly shine, leading many to abandon the journey prematurely. It serves as a cautionary example of how prolonged openings can detract from a game’s potential enjoyment.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
A Slow Burn
The Red Dead Redemption series is lauded for offering a sprawling open-world experience, but the beginning of Red Dead Redemption 2 is undeniably slow. Players are introduced to Arthur Morgan and the game’s immersive setting through a linear narrative that requires patience before freedom arrives.
This slow burn ultimately prepares players for a richly detailed world filled with opportunities, stories, and chaos once the initial linear segment concludes.
1 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Takes A While To Get Edgy
While Twilight Princess is often celebrated for its dark storyline and intricate atmosphere, its opening segment is a stark contrast to the engaging tone of the rest of the game. Players are tasked with completing menial village tasks that feel drawn out and disconnected from the core adventurous spirit of the franchise.
This extensive prologue serves to showcase Link’s village, but many criticize its narrative as lagging behind the action-packed dungeons and intriguing mysteries the series is known for. The tonal shift can be jarring, with players questioning if they should continue on this slow-paced journey.
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