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

[solarisa]

I don't mind a long common route as long as it's engaging, and it's easy to skip on replays. I know some games try to vary the common route by adding small scene variations, but I don't appreciate it as much because I'm skipping so much and have forgotten the context.

 

[maiholii]

I don't really like a Common Route that is too long, especially if we don't have enough interaction with the LI. But if the common route have small branching or story variation for each LI, it's still bearable lol. I would say, 2-4 hours. More than that, i'd get bored already and losing my focus. Also, a very long common route, and then at the end they just drop us an option to choose which LI route you wanna take, I don't like it the transition just doesn't feel that realistic or smooth for me.

 

[bettyK]

As long as the storyline is interesting, no matter how long it is, I won't feel bored; but if the storyline itself is extremely dull and boring, I won't be able to keep playing for even a second. It's not just about the common thread.

 

[O cha]

I think 30% common route and 70% individual routes is the ideal balance. Personally, even a 50/50 split makes the individual routes feel a little too short.

The shorter the common route, the better, imo. That's one of the reasons I loved Piofiore so much—the common route was surprisingly short. I remember getting onto an LI's route and thinking, "Wait... the common route is already over?? No way. "

As for playtime, I think 2–3 hours is the sweet spot for a common route.

 

[zhaobudao]

My patience told me less than 2.5 hours is the best.

 

[Nihilistic]

If it monopolizes the game I tend to zone out. For example if it's around an 6 hour common route and the actual romance/story telling is less than 5/6 hours I hate it. I enjoy the build up don't get me wrong but if it doesn't have variations or changes per route I shut it out and end up fast reading it.

But on the other side if it's a short build up and the characters are not developed alongside the world building before I choose? I tend to not bother for a while either.

TLDR - I like a good 50/40.

 

[marzipan]

I'm actually really fond of VNs with a really engaging common route! Make me fall for the cast, the world, everything; set the foundation to then build the individual routes after. If the scenario writer can pull it off, amazing, I'd stick around for however long it takes for the branching to take place. 10 hours, 20, 50; if it's a worthy time investment? I'm happy.

 

[lyrevega]

Two hours is fine but as soon as it reaches 3hours i take a break for a whole month before continuing

 

[starlight7]

5 hours would be the maximum I can tolerate. 2-3 hours seem like a good length for me with that being like 10% of total plot. I always find myself skipping the common route after the first play

 

[Yara010]

Depends on writing tbh
I love long common routes because they're helps with introductions and showing character dynamics. Sometimes characters already get some character development in common which is pretty cool

But I don't really like when for example common is 8 hours, and LIs routes are 4

 

[heishoumao]

For me, the common route can be as long as it wants if it furthers the story as a whole (Jack Jeanne), it just needs to have easy skip options for 100%ing.

 

[RedLipsSourApples]

I don't mind as long as the plot is really engaging

 

[Erille]

For me, it's 2 hours. I usually skip the common route I've ready once, and focused more on unlocking my favorite characters in the game.