Lollipop Chainsaw’s four-hour runtime is not a problem, guys

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2 mins read

So, it’s been revealed that Lollipop Chainsaw is “only” four hours long. And, predictably there’s been Twitter chatter about how much of a “ripoff” it is for a 4-hour long game to cost $60.

I’ve already discussed this in a previous post, but $60 for a four hour game is not a problem. In fact, it could be a great deal.

On a purely numbers basis, that still works out to be cheaper than going to the cinema to see two (two-hour) movies. But let’s not get into that discussion again. Let’s talk about hour a four hour long game can be a really good idea.

There are a lot of games being released these days, and they’re often really, really good. They have deep multiplayer modes and hundreds of hours in content there. Or they’re big RPGs that last 50 hours per play through, while demanding multiple playthroughs for that platinum trophy.

I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t have the time to play all the games I’d like to as much as I’d like to. So, when a game looks to be a perfectly-formed, insane-but-brilliant piece of disposable entertainment (Lollipop Chainsaw), I sigh in relief. Here’s a game I can play to completion without taking me away from that desire to finally get around to replaying Nier.

And, if it really is that short, but that much fun, I’ll be more inclined to play it again – as a filler between bigger games or a way to pass a lazy weekend. Two or three play through and the raw hours blows out to 12+.

I would hope that gamers would realise that four really, really entertaining hours (and by all accounts, that’s Lollipop Chainsaw – entertaining) is better value than 50+ hours of unwavering boredom. Give me an intense game with no padding any time.

I’ll never understand why gaming is the only hobby where people refuse to spend proper money for the entertainment. You compare this hobby to any other one, and four hours of entertainment for $60 is a good deal, folks.

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  • While I agree with you on the base idea of this piece (a game with a 4-hour campaign could be worth the asking price of $60), I haven't really been paying much attention to Lollipop Chainsaw. Does the game only have a story mode? Because if that's the case, I'm extremely disappointed. The fact that I could only ring 4 hours out of the game while experiencing all the games content does not appeal to me.

  • I don't know for sure – my copy arrives tomorrow. But in concept, even if it was just the story mode, it'd be enough for me. I really don't care how much content is in a game, as long as the game sustains me from start to finish. It is really rare for a game to do that these days – I've never maxxed out my level in a shooter, I've never seen multiple endings in my RPGs etc etc. One play time through with 4 hours? This may well by my first platinum!

  • I do think that's at least slightly concerning. Now, that said, if there's some quality new game plus, or some sort of online that extends the life of the game beyond the story mode? I think that would be very cool. This is a title I've been curious about, but admit that I probably wouldn't spend $60 on it new. If it's 4 hour without those features listed below, and I suspect it'll be a 20-30 dollar game within a month via amazon, bestbuy or used at gamestop, and that will be an instance where the devs have hurt themselves by not providing more game time.

  • Sounds like you should stick to casual games. Core gaming sounds like too big of a commitment for you. 🙂

  • I agree in some respects that I'd rather have a quality shorter game than a bunch of nonsense sidequests that just waste my time. A couple games that were short that I didn't mind were Mirror's Edge and Heavenly Sword…I loved both those games enought that I didn't mind forking out the 60 for their shorter gameplay due to sheer entertainment and replay value. Maybe this will be like that?

  • With lots of real life things going on it's really difficult to sink 50+ hours into a single game. Not having time doesn't mean your only option should be 'casual' games.

    For sheer variety I'm not opposed to more 4-10hour good games.

  • Completely agree, Robert!

    I'm putting the finishing touches to the review for this game – it'll go up at Otaku Gaming in the next day or so. It might be only 4-6 hours long, but that's 4-6 hours of sheer, raw, fun. I haven't had such a good time with a game in years.

  • I have no problem with 4 hour games as long as there is plenty of replay value. Though, I do like getting the most value out of my games. For instance, I really think that despite it being a port, NPC! Pikmin 2 is a terrific value for the content and price you get. I no longer can rent games, and I have no means of getting review copies as I haven't wanted to schmooze with developers/publishers/get interviews, so I probably won't be able to play this game to determine if the asking price is worth it. I hope this comment was entertaining. 🙂

  • I would argue that a short game is actually more replayable, because it doesn't require the same amount of investment to play through a second time.

    I love Nier, but I just don't have the time to start playing it again. I love Lollipop Chainsaw and I've already completed it twice because a hour here or there to make quick progress through a game feels like nothing.

    So I've already got around 9 hours of sheer entertainment out of this game. That's good value imo.

    Thanks for dropping by and your input, as always, Phillip 🙂

  • I generally only have time for one play-through, so the amount of time the first time through really matters to me.

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