How long does it take the average player to complete this game?

[Myx]

Just curious because I'm about 4 hours in and almost got past the hydra and was curious if i was making good time or not. thanks!

[Morton Koopa Jr.]

By completing the game, you mean escaping the underworld at least once, right? (Because there's narrative and gameplay incentives to keep the player playing well past initial escape.)

It varies. I honestly didn't beat the last boss until like run 35ish? But I've seen people here who got there in under 10. And some who have trouble even after 50. I'd say if you're bout to beat the hydra, and if your game time implies that you have had around 10 to 20 runs, that was on par with me.

I got to the third world boss in the mid to late twenties if I recall correctly.

[Washing Machine]

Took me like 20 runs to get the first run done.

You get more perks as you go, you learn enemy movesets, eventually normie runs become easy enough.

[Myx]

Originally posted by Washing Machine:

Took me like 20 runs to get the first run done.

You get more perks as you go, you learn enemy movesets, eventually normie runs become easy enough.

I'm not too experienced in games like this so i feel itll take me a little longer as I learn the ropes, thank you guys for answering.

[Gregor]

I recall having had 14 Hours after I quit the game back then, when I beat the 4th boss the first time. I take regulary smoking breaks though and assume to have read it was attempt 19 I had.

The first try was awfull the second on a bow was far better and then it was another few until I finaly made it.

[Rana]

I can't recall how many hours it took me but my initial runs dumpster fire, I could barely reached 3rd floor let alone final boss, I think it took me 20-30 hour to finish my first run then I start cheesing each run, now the only thing actually hard as ♥♥♥♥ in game is the stupid 4th extreme measurement final boss. Either I just sucks pee pee or I'm so rusty that I can't deal with boss with reflex.
If you're talking about finishing the game story?.. I really don't know myself lol I'm 100+ hr and still finding new story stuff and new dialogue (they're yet to repeat unlike boon dialogue) its rather insane how much of a story bit whole game and everything is voiced.

[Darth Bokeh]

I've heard it takes the average person about 30 runs to beat the final boss the first time. I think part of that is floundering in the early game because new players don't know how to develop their character to make subsequent runs easier. For example, they don't know that you can double your starting health with mirror upgrades, so they die a lot with the low health pool before eventually stumbling on the upgrade (2 mirror unlocks in).

[Necroshine]

I've played for 3 hours, got to the Hydra and ALMOST beat him (he had a very small bit of health left and killed me).... but, I've noticed something.... On that single run, I got really, really lucky w/ boons and drops and was able to destroy stuff easily. The next run after that, I didn't even get to the Fire level. It totally depends on how lucky you get w/ drops imo. If you get hosed w/ stuff you don't want/need, your run is going to suck (which is most of the time). If you get lucky and get good stuff you will go further.

[USM-Valor]

Had a lot of hours when the game first launched on Eppic (sp), but hadn't played in almost a year. Bone Hydra was the last boss at the time.

On Hell mode, it took me 16 hours to beat the game the first time once I picked it up on 1.0.

If you're looking for a build to carry you every time, pick shield, get Ares (i suggest using his trinket) and pick up Doom on special. This allows you to hit multiple creatures in the room for large amounts of damage while totally focusing on defense.

[feishu]

I think my first clear back at early access was around 25-30 runs. Now that 1.0 was out, I went and made a new save file and this time I managed to clear it on my 15th. But the story doesn't end with your first clear though, so there's a lot of replayability!

[Nibbie]

Originally posted by Necroshine:

I've played for 3 hours, got to the Hydra and ALMOST beat him (he had a very small bit of health left and killed me).... but, I've noticed something.... On that single run, I got really, really lucky w/ boons and drops and was able to destroy stuff easily. The next run after that, I didn't even get to the Fire level. It totally depends on how lucky you get w/ drops imo. If you get hosed w/ stuff you don't want/need, your run is going to suck (which is most of the time). If you get lucky and get good stuff you will go further.

You only think that because you are new, which means you both: are bad, which you should be, given that you are new to the game and don't know all the enemies, techniques, combos, priorities, etc. and underlevelled, as you unlock so many permanent upgrades over time that make you so much more powerful than you initially are. A dozen or so runs in and I barely take damage on the first floor, let alone die to it, regardless of what I get. It is a roguelite, so RNG drops do play a big role in how easy a run is, but skill can make up a massive amount of difference.

As for the OP, I died in the first area on my first run, with the sword, died in the third area on my second attempt, with the bow, and made it halfway through the final boss on my third attempt, with the shield. After that, I could usually make it to at least the third area, but either died to or lost too much to the third boss that I couldn't win. Only once I bought a second use of death defy did I decide to focus on this run upgrades instead of permanent ones, and won that run, my 11th. I'm sure that isn't the average experience though, 20-30 runs sounds much more likely.

[dq_177]

Just completed my first victorious playthrough a little while ago on my 12th run. Was using the Fists weapon.

Honestly not that great at the game, really impatient and bad at dodging.

[Tokyo Banana]

It took me 6 runs to get my first "win". Using the default weapon.

I got really lucky with my boons though.

[Willow]

I played casually for 15 runs maybe? then I switched to the shield 8 hours in and got my first win on the second shield run :)

[otakon17]

Originally posted by 1sot0pe:

I've heard it takes the average person about 30 runs to beat the final boss the first time. I think part of that is floundering in the early game because new players don't know how to develop their character to make subsequent runs easier. For example, they don't know that you can double your starting health with mirror upgrades, so they die a lot with the low health pool before eventually stumbling on the upgrade (2 mirror unlocks in).

WHY did they make upgrading health a tier 3 unlock for the Mirror? Upgrading health is usually one of the FIRST things a game lets you do and then does more esoteric stuff later on.

[begulinggg]

You are doing great, just enjoy the process!
Some advice:
- Grind for darkness (mirror upgrades) and renovations ASAP. For mirror upgrades, i highly recommend dark regeneration, +dash, and death defiance.
- Give nectars to cerberus (+health), skelly (+1 death defiance), and eurydice (protection against bosses) early to improve your survivability.