How long does it take to beat Borderlands 3?

For players focusing primarily on the main story objectives, Borderlands 3 can be completed in approximately 23 and a half hours. However, the total playtime can vary significantly depending on individual playstyle and how much content a player wishes to explore.

Playtime Varies by Playstyle

The sprawling world of Pandora and its neighboring planets offer a lot more than just the main questline. Your personal approach to the game will heavily influence how many hours you sink into it.

Main Story Focus

If your goal is to experience the core narrative of Borderlands 3, progressing directly through the primary missions without getting sidetracked by side quests or extensive exploration, you'll be looking at around 23.5 hours. This is ideal for players who want to quickly understand the plot and character arcs.

Main Story and Side Quests (Main + Extras)

Many players prefer a more balanced approach, tackling the main campaign while also engaging with a good portion of the side missions, challenges, and some exploration. This playstyle allows for a deeper dive into the game's lore and characters, often providing additional gear and experience. For this comprehensive experience, expect to spend between 37 to 40 hours.

Completionist Playthrough

For those who aim to see everything Borderlands 3 has to offer – completing every single side quest, discovering all hidden areas, finishing all challenges, collecting every collectible, and even diving into all downloadable content (DLCs) – the playtime extends considerably. A true completionist run can take 90 to over 100 hours, depending on how efficiently you play and your luck with rare loot drops.

Factors Influencing Your Borderlands 3 Playtime

Several elements can impact how long your journey as a Vault Hunter will be:

• Exploration Habits: Do you rush through levels, or do you meticulously search every corner for loot and hidden secrets? Extensive exploration naturally adds to your playtime.
• Difficulty Setting: Playing on higher difficulty levels can lead to more challenging combat encounters, requiring more time strategizing, farming for better gear, and potentially replaying sections.
• Co-op vs. Solo Play: While playing with friends can sometimes make combat faster, coordinating with a team, experiencing everyone's unique builds, and enjoying the social aspect can also extend playtime. Solo play often allows for more focused progression.
• DLC Content: Borderlands 3 features several substantial story DLCs, each adding new campaigns, areas, and characters. Including these expansions significantly increases the total hours needed for a full experience.
• Grinding for Loot: A core loop of Borderlands is acquiring powerful, randomized gear. Many players spend hours "farming" specific bosses or areas for unique weapons and items, which can greatly extend their playtime beyond simply completing missions.
• Player Skill and Efficiency: Your familiarity with the game's mechanics, combat prowess, and ability to navigate maps efficiently can also influence how quickly you progress.

Estimated Playtime Overview

Here's a quick summary of the estimated hours based on different playstyles:

No matter your preferred playstyle, Borderlands 3 offers a robust and engaging experience that can keep players entertained for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. You can learn more about the game on its official website.