Insanely Replayable Games That Make 5000 Hours Look Effortless

Yes, I’ve already created a list of games that let you cross the 1,000-hour mark without breaking a sweat, but with this piece, I intend to go way beyond. Those who are looking for an absolutely addictive experience, whether you’ve got a lot of time to kill or are simply looking to explore this hobby more and get better at the craft, you’ve come to the right place. 

The forthcoming suggestions are entries where I’ve personally poured thousands of hours, and while I haven’t gone over the 5,000-hour milestone with all of them just yet, I know for a fact that with these titles, that’s a super attainable figure. Ensure that you’re going through each listing attentively for the best results.  

You Better Be Prepared To Spend Your Days And Nights In These Games

Before we get started, do leave a comment down below if you want to contribute to the list with your own suggestion(s). 

1. Project Zomboid 

Coming out all the way back in 2013, Project Zomboid is one game that still manages to hold its ground even more than a decade later, and it pulls this off marvelously, I dare say. The game’s extremely difficult — which is part of what makes it so addictive — and features impressive mechanics to help you stay hooked to the action. 

In addition, there are certain modifications available that let you tweak various gameplay systems in Project Zomboid in an attempt to make the game easier. For starters, it’s possible to adjust zombie density, more perk points and XP gained for performing tasks, and more. It’s a hardcore survival-focused RPG that’s going to steal your life away from you. Make sure to get your family hooked as well.  

• Get it on Steam.

2. Slay The Spire 

With a bigger, better, and more improved sequel incoming, Slay the Spire is an insanely replayable card game and a major proponent of the deckbuilding genre. The thing about this title is that it’s going to frustrate you to a deep extent, but it’s only from there on out that you start enjoying the living heck out of Slay the Spire for perfectly blending the two genres of deckbuilding and roguelike RPGs. 

• Get it on Steam.

3. Factorio 

With gameplay systems that go as deep as they possibly can, Factorio has a surprisingly rich tutorial to start you off in the right direction, making it not one of those weirdly complicated games where half the time you spend on them is looking up relevant guides. It’s a building simulator, one that’s fairly minimal at the heart of it, but still extremely addictive on a consistent basis. 

• Get it on Steam.

4. No Man’s Sky 

If Starfield had borrowed some features from No Man’s Sky — the ultimate space simulator — it just might have had a solid go at last year’s Game of the Year award. Talk about infinite procedural generation at the heart of an overly expansive universe that’s just begging to be discovered at the hands of the player. Surprisingly enough, No Man’s Sky was terrible at launch, failing to run on the most mediocre of graphics settings.

But then, developer Hello Games picked itself up and pulled the RPG out of the depths of post-launch hell, thereby transforming it into one of gaming’s greatest comeback stories. eXputer wrote a review on the title as well, rating it 3.5/5.0, with author Moiz Banoori remarking, 

After all these years, No Man’s Sky is still a delight to play, especially when exploring and visiting new places with friends.” 

• Get it on Steam.

5. 7 Days To Die 

The Fun Pimps’ 7 Days to Die mixes so many video game genres together, it’s crazy. This is a first-person shooter at its core, coupled with survival horror and tower-defense mechanics as well. And unlike other titles that attempt to nail this but end up failing horribly, 7 Days to Die is actually a highly decent experience, one where you’re dropped in an open world full of exploration potential.

• Get it on Steam.

6. Total War: Warhammer 2

Now this is one franchise that’s been objectively known to make people addicted to the digital world of modern-day video games. Total War: Warhammer 2 is one of the best in the series, featuring highly polished turn-based gameplay mixed in with civilization simulation. It really demands you to play with an active brain. Wrong moves lead to disastrous outcomes, so the hype is certainly real for this one. 

• Get it on Steam.