How long is too long for a common route before you get bored?

[autumn-leaves]

How long is too long for a common route before you start getting bored?
Like I get that we need time to meet all the LIs and set up the story but sometimes it just drags on forever and I'm like can i please just pick a route already.
For me anything past like 3-4 hours starts pushing it unless the writing is really good.

 

[Marrychan]

Hmm... I have a pretty strong opinion about the common route taking up too much of the game; I prefer routes that focus on specific characters over the common route. Longer, common routes showcase more interaction between the characters, although I didn't like Jack Jeanne, it's a good example of this; it has many mini-events with secondary and main characters interacting with each other, which is fun. I rarely drop a game—especially a visual novel—even if I'm not enjoying it. It feels like leaving a book unfinished, and it really bothers me not to complete every route.

 

[noch]

Maybe 15-20% of the entire game, assuming there's like 5-6 routes. If a game is 55-60 hrs long for the average player, that's like anything between 8-20 hrs (sweet spot of 14 hrs)... which seems like a lot, but comparatively is not that bad

 

[satory]

It's hard to explain, but to me the cheapest thing a game can do is to give player all LIs portraits not even an hour from the start, and say "now choose the one you'd like to fu... live a long life with". I'd like story smoothly go to an individual route, not just click on a pretty face, and for that a long common route is a must. 18+ doujinshis are for immediate couples, not the serious stories.

So long story short - I'm okay if the whole game is a common route with short individual episodes depending on choices. But to each their own, 18+ doujinshis are also a good read sometimes

 

[usagi-k]

i personally really enjoy longer common routes since they help me ease into the game's setting as well as give me a good feel of what the characters are like and their dynamics. most games with long common route almost always have a good set up for how the li cast interacts with each other which is one of my favorite parts to read through ^^
and you really only have to sit through it once ^^;;

i will say i dont like it when the common route ends up being longer or equal in length to a character's route like if the common route is 4 chapters then each li should have at least 6 chapters since the main focus is still on the love interests and their stories !

 

[Watera]

6 hours

 

[rorudesu]

Around 40% is probably my limit. No matter how good the story was, the fun starts to fade on repeat playthroughs, and long skip-and-wait sections kill my motivation ( ᐪᐤᐪ )
So I prefer games where common route doesn't drag on. Chapter-based one make ending cleanup much easier too!

 

[ichigomilk]

I think 4-7 hours is good length for the common route, depending on the overall length of the game. I think that's the right length for setting the plot up and introducing you to the world and its characters. I think the common route is too long if the LI routes are way too short compared it. I know you can skip the common route starting on your second playthrough, but I don't like when the routes are too short because the character development between the MC and LI will be weak and the ending will most likely be rushed

I don't mind the common route being longer if the LIs are fun and you get to see the stuff they get into (eg. Code Realize) but even then, if I've been playing for a really long time and I'm still not on a route yet, I'm usually like please just let me be on a route already lol

 

[nerim-w]

Im a common route hater unfortunately, I find myself getting bored and wanting to romance my favourite LI as soon as possible. I understand that a story needs set up but I swear some common routes just DRAG!! My tolerance is max 5 hours but nothing more than that please I get that you need to set up the world and characters that it doesnt need 15 hours istg