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

 

[lorca]

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

 

[ruuuiii]

2-4 hours probably, it's better to dedicate a bigger portion of the game to the routes and romance rather than the introduction in my opinion. The more detailed and longer the individual routes are, the better written the game feels, and games that don't drag or stall unnecessarily are the best.

 

[mikiuu]

For me, two to three hours is already the upper limit for a common route.Unless the dialogue and foreshadowing are incredibly well-written, I'll be dying to jump into separate character routes sooner.

 

[makancurry]

I never really counted the hours but i think it should not take more than 50% of the game's length, probably around 20 - 30% is the best me think. I don't really like too long common route...

 

[Puaro]

30%, maybe 40% of the game. I prefer the focus on specific characters, especially when different routes are very different.

 

[myfrral]

I haven't looked at the specific time, but I think the regular route should not exceed 50% and should be controlled between 20% and 30%. I prefer storylines with short regular routes and long character routes. If the regular route is too long, playing other character routes will feel very short, and the plot of the regular route needs to be repeated multiple times, which will feel boring and waste time, affecting the viewing experience of the story.

 

[yuriia]

2 hours. Routes longer than 3 hours usually make me bored, unless the game's story is really exciting. If it's too boring, I actually would fall asleep, because I really have fallen asleep while playing a game before.

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

It depends on the length of the game and amount of LIs for me! The plot is also quite relevant; if a game has an overarching mystery plot I'll be more patient with longer common routes, unlike slice of life titles

I'd say a common route that amounts to 30~35% of the total game, with 5 or 6 LIs is the sweet spot! If a game only has 2 or 3 LIs, I'd prefer a shorter common route (something like 15% of the game) and longer character routes, as I feel like the common route is there to establish common plot points and avoid repetition in the routes themselves. If the game has 3 or less routes, repeating those moments is not as noticeable as doing it 5 times lol

The main problem I have with long common routes is the lack of "skip to next choice" in many popular titles, specifically Otomate and most Switch releases. In a game like Cafe Enchante, the common route was quite long, and the skip function took a while to get to the choices. Waiting minutes for a few choices again and again gets tiring fast ;b

 

[Plain]

Depends on a lot of factors but I think I lean on the side of a shorter common route (up to 10h) being better. Something like Piofiore's common route was perfect for me since a lot of times when I pick up a game its because I want to get to know specific LIs, and I worry that there wont be enough time for a convincing romance if the common route eats into character route time.

That being said, if the LIs are going to have a group dynamic like the Bustafellows gang does then I'm perfectly happy with a much longer common route. You can only find certain 10/10 cast interactions during the common route after all.
A recent painful common route for me was Variable Barricade... it was a funny and endearing game with good interactions between the LIs but something about the common route felt soooo LONG. Dont think I could replay the game even though it had so many goldmine moments when Hibari and all the boys were together.

 

[Yashalun]

I don't really consider time when playing games; for me, a route can last hours or days and I have no problem with that as long as it's entertaining in terms of story, romance, development, and drama. But if it's boring, the route can last 1 or 2 hours, but it will still be unbearable, and I'd only finish it to collect the CGs. So I can't give an official or concrete answer.

 

[6161xx]

It took roughly four hours. The lengthy common route was truly excruciating. If the early stages were simply following the plot like a stream of consciousness, it was utterly demotivating. I couldn't help but wonder how there could be so much irrelevant nonsense, and I found it intolerable to endure padded storylines.

 

[washandwash]

Maybe 2 or 3 hours? The more compelling, suspenseful, or interesting the story is, the longer that time will be. If it's a very good story I think 5, 6 hours is ok for me.

 

[藍色水珠]

Depending on the storyteller's ability and the fun of the game system (not just a monotonous click-to-read text), the longest I've played a game with a common route is 4-5 hours: reading Japanese otome games where it's not my native language, without machine translation. Additionally, if the world-building and character personalities are compelling enough, I can patiently complete the entire game. Otherwise, I might take a break and continue playing later; only then do I have the motivation to finish the game. For example, "Ken ga Kim" has a long common route, and the individual routes are further subdivided with four endings. I love the game's art style and story, and I didn't feel tired even after spending several days completing it.

根據編劇說故事能力、遊戲系統是否有趣（不是一成不變點擊閱讀文本）我最長玩過共通路線4-5小時遊戲：閱讀非母語的日文乙女遊戲，不靠機器翻譯。另外，作品世界觀、角色性格足夠吸引我，我可以耐心跑完全部。否則我可能休息一下，過一陣子再繼續玩，才有動力攻略遊戲。例如「Ken ga Kim 」劍為君舞共同路線很長，個人路線再細分4種結局，我很愛遊戲畫風跟故事，花好幾天通關也不喊累。

 

[AmnesiaArya]

If the common route takes over three hours, I usually start getting a bit impatient—I'd rather have more of the individual love interests' routes, since I really enjoy the romance development.

 

[SmallEagle]

If I have to choose between longer or shorter in general, I would choose shorter. But if the cast and/or plot is great, I am fine with it taking longer, just give me an option to skip it when replaying.

 

[osanajimimi]

In a common route, I expect them to make the concepts clear, explain the basic world setting, and establish the foundation of the characters' dynamics. I prefer seeing the LIs interact with the MC as a whole, or having the MC interact with them briefly before entering their routes. I also like interactions with the side characters, just things that make the world feel more vivid.

But I don't want a common route that takes more than four hours just to make the point of the story clear. Sometimes it just feels like filler in a story where uncovering the mystery is more relevant. Even so, spending time on those interactions creates a stronger sense of closeness with the characters.

 

[6Nannie9]

I´m usually pretty patient, but if a story gets into a repetitive loop or overcomplicated with texts vomiting in your face tons of context instead of showing... I can only resist for a few more hours before giving up.