Buzz
Due to government lockdowns, board games have experienced a resurgence like never before. People all around the world are rediscovering their favorites, eagerly rolling dice and spinning wheels to enjoy a nostalgic time together.
While this may be fine for casual players, there's a deeper side to the hobby. Over time, people have meticulously crafted board games with so much depth that some are practically impossible to finish in a reasonable time frame.
This list showcases the board games with the longest playtimes, and they’re not for the faint of heart. If you’ve played any of these, share your experiences in the comments and let everyone know just how many hours you spent immersed in these games.
10. Risk
Among all the games listed, Risk is arguably the most widely played. Focused on global domination, it is a masterpiece of strategic gameplay. Since 1959, Risk has been regarded as one of the finest strategy games in existence, influencing virtually every strategy game that followed, both on this list and beyond.
A typical game of Risk is said to last around 120 minutes (2 hours), but for most players, the experience extends much longer. With six players involved, a standard game can easily stretch up to eight hours as players engage in intense strategy.
Some sessions of Risk can run as long as 12 hours, which the game is famously known for. In an iconic episode of Seinfeld, Kramer and Newman played the same game over several days, a scenario that many fans can relate to.
It’s not unusual for players to set up a game, play for a couple of hours, and then leave it unfinished. They often return to continue playing the game over a span of days or even weeks, depending on their availability.
9. 7 Ages
Don’t be misled by the title; 7 Ages will take you well beyond seven hours to finish. Spanning 6,000 years of history, players take on the role of dynasties shaping the course of humanity. The game is divided into seven distinct eras, each marking a significant part of human history.
At first glance, you might think 7 Ages is a military strategy game, but that's not entirely true. It’s a deeply complex strategic experience, where players guide an entire civilization from its early stages through its full evolution.
This depth of complexity makes the game incredibly time-consuming, with playtime typically lasting 480 minutes (8 hours). The game board covers the entire world, divided into equal territories across continents.
Players must oversee everything from managing their civilization’s economy and military growth to making scientific advancements. It’s a demanding game, but the sense of achievement upon completing it is unmatched by any of your friends.
8. Machiavelli
Anyone familiar with Machiavelli’s writings knows that his focus was on the complex power dynamics of Renaissance Italy. This game takes his ideas and transforms them into an intricate strategy experience where four to eight players can engage in a game that lasts for an exceptionally long time.
Machiavelli takes great care to accurately depict the historical context of Renaissance Italy, concentrating on the evolving power struggles of the era. The game includes five major powers: the Kingdom of Naples, the Republics of Florence and Venice, the Papacy, and the Duchy of Milan.
Additionally, there are three foreign powers (Hapsburg Austria, Valois France, and the Ottoman Turks) competing for dominance over the Italian peninsula. The game encompasses everything from politics and uprisings to wars and assassinations, and it will likely take most players around 480 minutes (8 hours) to complete.
There are multiple ways to approach the game, allowing players to choose whether they want to shorten or extend the duration. The typical extended playtime for most players tends to be around 12 hours.
7. The Republic of Rome
Roman history spans over 2,210 years in various forms, with the Republic covering just 482 of those years. Thankfully, the Republic of Rome doesn’t encompass the full duration, but it does explore a significant 250 years of Roman history, providing a deep dive for players in the game.
Players in the game face off against one another, each commanding a faction vying for control of the Roman Senate. They achieve this by commanding influential families competing for military leadership, political power, new followers, and financial advantages.
To claim victory in the game, players must steer their faction to supremacy in Rome. However, this requires skillfully maintaining balance—no small feat. The game demands both conflict and collaboration, making success especially difficult to achieve.
The typical length of a game session in The Republic of Rome is around 300 minutes (5 hours), but many sessions extend far beyond this. On average, a full playthrough lasts about 10-12 hours, though experienced players often enjoy even longer sessions, typical for strategy games.
6. 2038: Tycoons Of The Asteroid Belt
Unlike most lengthy board games that focus on historical battles, 2038: Tycoons of the Asteroid Belt takes a different approach, concentrating on space mining operations! It's an adaptation of the intricate 18xx series of games, offering a complex and engaging experience.
Players navigate the asteroid belt to claim valuable mining resources, which generate income. Each round is structured to facilitate this process, requiring players to trade stocks and move ships from one mine to another. Don’t forget to refuel your ships, or your mining efforts will be restricted!
Engaging in this game (and others in the 18xx series) will require a considerable time investment. The game doesn’t use a pre-set map—it's randomly generated at the start of each session, introducing new variables and making every playthrough different. On average, it takes around 360 minutes (6 hours) to complete.
For those looking to extend the experience, the Expansion Set is available, adding an additional 240 minutes (4 hours) of gameplay. However, most players tend to spend up to 12 hours on a single campaign of 2038: Tycoons of the Asteroid Belt.
5. Paths Of Glory
While many long-form war simulation games focus on the events of World War II, Paths of Glory takes players back to the Great War, also known as World War I. Players step into the shoes of the powerful rulers and generals who commanded the campaigns, with incredible detail.
Included in the game are 316 die-cut counters, a massive map of Europe and the Near East, a 32-page rulebook, and more. Players assume control of the monarchs and generals who led the conflict from 1914 to 1918 across Europe. Each faction comes with its unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring strategic use.
On average, a game of Paths of Glory lasts around 480 minutes (8 hours), though the game presents a considerable learning curve. Players will need time to master the subtleties of the game, and early playthroughs can often be lengthy.
As players grow more accustomed to the game’s mechanics, it’s not uncommon for a single round to take double the typical duration. Some players have spent over 14 hours on a single playthrough, meaning depending on your approach, the game can stretch over multiple days.
4. Europe Engulfed: WWII European Theatre Block Game
Europe Engulfed is among the most intricate military combat simulations. With 13 years of design and development behind it, this game offers a fast-paced experience, but expect an average playtime of 720 minutes (12 hours) to complete a session.
The game immerses players in the military turmoil that swept across Europe and Northern Africa during World War II. Rather than focusing on a single campaign, it encompasses all of them. It’s part of a two-game series, with Asia Engulfed, covering the remainder of WWII, offering a 480-minute playthrough.
While it’s possible to play through just one campaign, for the full experience, players should explore them all. According to the game’s description, “The entire campaign is playable in a single 10-to-14 hour day once players become familiar with its elegant game systems.”
Europe Engulfed includes numerous dice and small wooden blocks representing military units. Players move these units around the map, engaging in battles with enemy forces. The outcome of each confrontation is determined by the roll of the dice, in this highly detailed WWII simulation.
3. Monopoly—Longest Game Ever
Anyone who has endured an entire session of Monopoly without flipping the table knows that a typical game can last between one and three hours. While this is standard for most players, some sessions can stretch on much longer. In fact, one game famously lasted for 70 days, although that is far from typical.
Parker Brothers recognizes that their iconic game can take quite some time to complete, which is why they leaned into the idea with the release of Monopoly—Longest Game Ever in 2019.
This new edition introduces 66 properties, three times as many as in the traditional Monopoly. The rules are significantly altered, and only a single die is used, meaning there are no opportunities to roll doubles for extra turns. To top it off, the sole way to win is by acquiring all 66 properties.
Bankruptcy is also much harder to declare in Monopoly—Longest Game Ever. You can tear bills along a dotted line to reuse them, prolonging the game further. The game's average duration isn't listed on Hasbro's website, and it remains unclear if anyone has fully committed to such a marathon session. But it's safe to say it could easily stretch for months.
2. The Campaign For North Africa—The Desert War 1940-43
When it comes to board games with the longest average playtimes, The Campaign for North Africa reigns supreme. Military strategists don’t dedicate as much time to real-world campaigns as they would when playing this game, which can stretch out for weeks. Yes, you read that right—weeks.
This game is so complex that it requires a minimum of eight players to even begin. You can add a few more, up to a maximum of ten, but be warned: patience is a must. The average playtime is listed as 60,000 minutes, which is roughly 41.6 days. And that's just the average—many games extend far beyond that.
If you play the game as intended, you can expect a total playtime of 90,000 minutes, which translates to 62.5 days. For a group that meets weekly for three-hour sessions, it would take over 10 years to finish the game.
The Campaign for North Africa is so incredibly detailed, it borders on the unbelievable. It includes a massive rulebook, 1,600 cardboard pieces, numerous charts covering morale, damage, mechanical failure, and more, along with a map that stretches a full 10 feet in length.
1. Axis & Allies
Axis & Allies is a game that can wrap up in a few hours, but it can also stretch to 10+ hours if things take a turn. The first step is setting up the board, which takes some time as it reflects WWII in 1942. Once all players have positioned their infantry, tanks, planes, and other units, the game can start.
The game’s average playtime is around 240 minutes (4 hours), which is typical for most players. The more you play, the quicker you get, but sometimes it works the other way. As players hone their strategies, it’s not uncommon for a game of Axis & Allies to last 10 hours or more.
For seasoned players, the game is known for its long duration, which often becomes a point of pride. There are numerous Reddit posts from players recounting games that took days to complete. One post shared a 30-round session that lasted eight hours a day for eight days (64 hours), and that's just one example of many.
Having been around for over 40 years, Axis & Allies has grown into a vast series. Some editions focus on specific campaigns like Operation OVERLORD or the Pacific Theater. These versions also have an average playtime of 4+ hours, making the franchise one of the longest-running board game series with the most variations.
