16 Board Games That Took Way Too Long to Finish
These are 16 board games infamous for taking far longer than expected, often testing the patience of even the most dedicated players.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Board games are meant to be fun and engaging, but some take an extraordinary amount of time to finish. From strategy epics like Twilight Imperium and Axis & Allies to negotiation-heavy games like Diplomacy, these titles can last hours or even entire days. While they offer depth and immersion, they also require stamina, focus, and a group of players willing to see them through.
1. Monopoly
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Few games are as infamous for dragging on as Monopoly. Between the endless property deals, house-building, and drawn-out bankruptcies, what begins as fun often spirals into hours of stubborn negotiations. Many families have joked that Monopoly can last an entire day without anyone officially winning.
2. Risk
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Risk is known for its strategic global domination, but the game often overstays its welcome. Players spend hours rolling dice, reinforcing armies, and plotting attacks across continents. It is not unusual for a Risk match to last well into the night, especially with evenly matched players.
3. Axis & Allies
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This World War II strategy game is as complex as it is time-consuming. With multiple factions, economic management, and military strategies, turns can stretch into half-hour blocks. A single game can easily last eight to twelve hours, testing both patience and stamina.
4. Diplomacy
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Diplomacy is less about dice and more about negotiation, but the lack of quick resolution makes it notoriously long. Players spend much of the time forming and betraying alliances, with every move requiring extensive talks. Games can run for an entire day and often end in stalemates.
5. Twilight Imperium
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This science fiction epic is legendary for its sheer scale and depth. With complex politics, space battles, and economic systems, every session feels like a galactic saga. It is common for games to last ten hours or more, which is practically a marathon in board gaming terms.
6. Civilization: The Board Game
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Based on the classic video game series, this adaptation requires immense planning and development. Players build empires, research technologies, and wage wars in matches that can last an entire evening. The game is rewarding but demands serious commitment to finish.
7. War of the Ring
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This Lord of the Rings board game is epic in every sense. Players re-enact the struggle between Sauron’s armies and the Free Peoples, with endless tactical choices and thematic detail. A single session often stretches into five to seven hours before a victor emerges.
8. Advanced Squad Leader
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This tactical wargame is so detailed that it feels more like a simulation than a casual board game. The rules are dense, and each move requires careful calculation and reference. Serious sessions can last an entire day or even multiple sittings to complete.
9. Mage Knight
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Mage Knight combines adventure, deck-building, and role-playing in one game, which makes it both beloved and infamous. Turns are long as players weigh countless strategic options. Even with fewer players, a single game often lasts several hours.
10. Britannia
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This historical strategy game covers centuries of invasions and power shifts across Britain. With four players managing different nations over long turns, the pace is notoriously slow. Many report games lasting six hours or more without breaks.
11. Here I Stand
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A political and religious strategy game set in the Reformation era, Here I Stand is as educational as it is time-consuming. Six players juggle diplomacy, warfare, and religious upheavals in a detailed simulation. A full game can take ten hours, requiring dedication from everyone at the table.
12. Arkham Horror
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This cooperative horror game immerses players in a Lovecraftian world of monsters and mysteries. With endless cards, scenarios, and rules to resolve, turns move slowly. Games often last four to six hours, leaving players both exhausted and exhilarated.
13. Game of Thrones: The Board Game
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Inspired by the hit fantasy series, this strategy game captures the intrigue of Westeros. Negotiations, betrayals, and large-scale battles can stretch turns for ages. Games frequently last an entire evening, with no clear winner until the bitter end.
14. Star Wars: Rebellion
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Star Wars: Rebellion recreates the Galactic Civil War in dramatic detail. With asymmetric factions, hidden objectives, and cinematic encounters, every turn is heavy with choices. Matches usually take four to eight hours, making it a true test of endurance.
15. Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
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This civilization-building game is highly strategic and mentally demanding. Players guide societies from ancient times to the modern age with technology, culture, and wars. Sessions often last four to six hours, particularly with newcomers still learning the rules.
16. Diplomacy World Championship Games
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Though Diplomacy is already long, the official championship games take it to another level. Tournaments can stretch individual matches across multiple days with adjudicated phases. It is perhaps the ultimate example of a board game overstaying its welcome.