Codex Gamicus
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This is a list of video games with the longest scripts, referring to the amount of text/dialogue contained in a game.

This list uses three methods to determine the length of a game's script:

  • Line count - The number of lines of dialogue used.
  • English word count - The number of English words used. For originally Japanese games, this refers to the length of the English translated script.
  • Japanese character count - The number of Japanese characters used. On average, one English word is roughly equivalent to around three Japanese characters, though it can vary depending on the game.[1] The Japanese character count here is measured in kilobytes (KB, equivalent to 1024 bytes), due to Japanese characters varying in size from one to two bytes each.

The majority of games on this list mostly fall under the Visual Novel (VN) and RPG genres, due to their greater emphasis on storytelling and dialogues than other genres.

Overview

The length of video game scripts can vary, from early video games which often had hardly any dialogue at all, to feature-length scripts found in modern action video games with similar amounts of dialogues to movies (average 5,000-10,000 words), to longer RPGs with similar amounts of text as novels (average 50,000-100,000 words) to visual novel (VN) games which contain even more text and dialogues than most novels (some VN games have more text/dialogues than even the longest novels).

The amount of dialogues found in RPG and VN games is largely due to the longer length (compared to films) as well as the interactivity (compared to both films and novels); this allows many of these games to include interactive elements such as non-linear branching plots, multiple endings, and hidden/optional dialogues, which often require more writing/dialogues than the linear plots found in films or novels.

Comparison

English word counts for popular epic literature:[2]

Video games

Note: Only add games with 50K words at least.

Game title Genre Lines
(thousands)
English words
(thousands)
Japanese characters
(KB)[4][5]
Lessons in Love Visual Novel 146 1985
Rance X: Showdown Strategy RPG / Tactical RPG 11479
Sengoku † Koihime X ~Otome Kenran ☆ Sengoku Emaki~ Visual novel, Eroge 9869
Ecchi Sensei Visual Novel 191 1500
France Shoujo ~Une fille blanche~ Visual Novel 144 5650
W. L. O. Sekai Renai Kikō Visual Novel 148 4570
Hello, world Visual Novel 85 4570
Sakura, Moyu. -As the Night's, Reincarnation- Visual Novel 4460
We Without Wings Visual Novel 59 4330
Little Busters! Ecstasy Visual Novel 110 1300 4200
The Legend of Heroes VII: Ao no Kiseki [6] RPG 4200
Rumbling Hearts: Latest Edition Visual Novel 106 4150
Clannad Visual Novel 101 1300 4010
YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World Visual Novel 99 1300 4000
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III [7] RPG 1111
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn RPG 57 1060
Fate/stay night Visual Novel 95 1000 3950
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel [6] RPG 3890
To Heart 2: XRATED Visual Novel 3830
The Fruit of Grisaia Visual Novel 67 1000 3820
Rewrite Visual Novel 109 775 3650
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II [6] RPG 3640
Steel Visual Novel 113 3560
The Legend of Heroes VII: Zero no Kiseki [6] RPG 3500
Little Busters! Memorial Edition Visual Novel 105 3450
Planescape: Torment RPG 75 950
White Album 2 ~closing chapter~ Visual Novel 61 3410
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Visual Novel 45 3380
Umineko: When They Cry Visual Novel 40 950 2820
Tsukihime Visual Novel 66 750 3170
Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! Visual Novel 86 3100
Dragon Age: Origins RPG 68 740
Icewind Dale II RPG 63 730
The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky - Second Chapter [8][6] RPG 716 3100
The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky [6] RPG 2910
Little Busters! Visual Novel 75 2850
Muv-Luv Alternative Visual Novel 54 2800
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru Visual Novel 40 2620
Muv-Luv Visual Novel 64 2550
Baldr Sky: Dive 2 "Recordare" Visual Novel 48 2470
To Heart 2: Another Days Visual Novel 2470
Deus Machina Demonbane Visual Novel 2410
Fate/hollow ataraxia Visual Novel 44 2300
Baldr Sky: Dive1 "Lost Memory" Visual Novel 44 2260
Higurashi: When They Cry Visual Novel 35 730 2270
The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky the 3rd [6] RPG 2180
Chaos;Head Noah Visual Novel 32 2170
Baldr Force EXE Visual Novel 27 2040
Tokyo Xanadu [6] Action RPG 2010
To Heart PSE Visual Novel 1850
Steins;Gate Visual Novel 39 620 1830
Chaos;Head Visual Novel 25 610 1800
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic RPG 15 600
Katawa Shoujo Visual Novel 33 490
Mass Effect 2 RPS 25 450
Baldur's Gate RPG 23 434
Mass Effect 3 RPS 40 430
Ever 17: The Out of Infinity Visual Novel 25 420 1910
Air Visual Novel 50 1740
White Album 2 Visual Novel 1660
To Heart Visual Novel 1600
Kanon Visual Novel 39 1540
Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shōjo Visual Novel 40 400 1570
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Stealth Action TPS 33 400
Out of Touch! Visual Novel 400
Sharin no Kuni, Yūkyū no Shōnenshōjo Visual Novel 30 1120
Phantom of Inferno Visual Novel 1100
Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life Visual Novel 30 400 790
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Stealth Action 32 380
Metal Gear Solid Stealth Action 31 370
Fable II Action RPG 370
Final Fantasy VII [9] RPG 96 344 1600
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable RPG / Visual Novel 340
Shenmue Sandbox Adventure 42 330
Tales of Vesperia Action RPG 27 310
Xenogears RPG 300
Cross Channel Visual Novel 42 300 1360
Kagetsu Tohya Visual Novel 22 1150
Kara no Shōjo Visual Novel 25 1040
Nayuta no Kiseki Action RPG 820
Kana: Little Sister Visual Novel 700
Mass Effect RPS 20 300
Game of Thrones Action RPG 270
Driver: San Francisco Racing / Action-Adventure 270
Dragon Quest VII RPG 70 264
Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka~ Tactical RPG / Visual Novel 260
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors Visual Novel / Adventure 37 250
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney 4 Visual Novel / Adventure 240
Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare~ Tactical RPG / Visual Novel 220
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Visual Novel / Adventure 80 210
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 3 - Trials and Tribulations Visual Novel / Adventure 74 200
Neverwinter Nights RPG 200
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide RPG 200
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark RPG 200
Deus Ex: The Nameless Mod RPS 13 200
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 RPG 44 190
Deus Ex: Human Revolution RPS 18 190
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal RPG 10 188
Chrono Cross RPG 180
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue RPG 44 180
The Legend of Sword and Fairy RPG 170
Final Fantasy IX RPG 38 170
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra RPG 160
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 2 - Justice for All Visual Novel / Adventure 86 160
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Action-Adventure 160
Final Fantasy VIII RPG 20 150
Final Fantasy XII RPG / Action RPG 21 150 600
Xenon: Mugen no Shitai Visual Novel / Adventure 21 540
Deus Ex RPS 147
Chrono Trigger DS RPG 140
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together SRPG / Tactical RPG 130 700
Final Fantasy XIII RPG / Tactical RPG 18 130
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Action-Adventure 130
Dark Souls Action RPG 130
Grand Theft Auto IV Sandbox TPS 80 130
Dishonored Stealth Action 130
Final Fantasy X RPG 22 120
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Stealth Action 15 120
Snatcher Adventure / Visual Novel 24 110 530
Star Ocean: The Second Story Action RPG 110
Final Fantasy XIII-2 RPG / Tactical RPG 18 110
The World Ends With You Action RPG 110
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings Tactical RPG / RTS 23 105
Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time Action RPG 100
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Stealth Action 21 99
White Album 2 ~introductory chapter~ Visual Novel 11 520
Metal Slader Glory Adventure / Visual Novel 17 510
Kishin Hishou Demonbane Visual Novel 450
Assassin's Creed II Stealth Action 12
Fallout 4 RPS 111
Fallout: New Vegas RPS 65
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Action RPG 47
Hitman: Absolution Stealth Action 45
Fallout 3 RPS 40
Halo 3 FPS 30
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Action RPG 30
Clannad: The Past Path Visual Novel 16 98
Star Ocean Action RPG 95
Kingdom Hearts II Action RPG 20 94
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Bose RPG 90
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht RPG 90
Radical Dreamers: Nusumenai Hōseki Visual Novel / RPG 90
Neverwinter Nights 2: The Wizard's Apprentice - Chapter II RPG 90
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance SRPG / Tactical RPG 19 88
Breath of Fire III RPG 86
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete RPG 21 85
Sakura Wars V: So Long, My Love Tactical RPG / Visual Novel 84
Grandia RPG / Tactical RPG 80
Eternal Sonata RPG / Action RPG 80
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Action-Adventure 8 80
Final Fantasy Tactics SRPG / Tactical RPG 13 76
Mother 2: Earthbound RPG 72
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift SRPG / Tactical RPG 13 72
Grandia II RPG / Tactical RPG 70
Shadow Hearts II: Covenant RPG 16 70
Sakura Wars Tactical RPG / Visual Novel 70
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei Visual Novel 5 330
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Tsubasa Visual Novel 5 280
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast RPG 4 75
A Blurred Line RPG 70
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City Sandbox TPS 70
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years RPG 17 69
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Action-Adventure 68
Shadow Hearts RPG 11 64
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Action RPG 13 64
Valkyrie Profile RPG 62
Sakura Taisen 4 ~Koi Seyo, Otome~ Tactical RPG / Visual Novel 60
Chrono Trigger RPG 8 60
Analogue: A Hate Story Visual Novel 59
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Action RPG 12 55
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Action-Adventure 51
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride RPG 50
Xenosaga: A Missing Year Visual Novel 50
Shin Koihime † Musou Visual Novel 108

Video game series/compilations

Game series/compilation Lines
(thousands)
English words
(thousands)
Japanese characters
(KB)
When They Cry (series) 170 11700
Nasuverse (Tsukihime & Fate/stay night universe) 205 11140
The Legend of Heroes VII 8000
Baldr Force & Baldr Sky 119 6770
The Legend of Heroes VI: Trails in the Sky 6500
Fate (series) 139 6250
Final Fantasy (franchise) (excluding XI) 2280
Muv-Luv 119 5350
Baldur's Gate (series) 98 1857
Higurashi: When They Cry 85 5980
Umineko: When They Cry 85 5720
White Album (series) 5590
Tsukihime & Kagetsu Tohya 88 4890
Clannad & Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life 135 1690 4790
Baldur's Gate: 4-in-1 Box Set 94 1680
Metal Gear Solid (series) 144 1440
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni & Kai 80 1400 5650
Baldr Sky 92 4730
Chaos;Head & Steins;Gate universe 71 4000
White Album 2 72 3930
Baldur's Gate II: The Collection 67 1248
Mass Effect Trilogy 85 1170
Icewind Dale: The Ultimate Collection 100 1161
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection 85 900
Compilation of Final Fantasy VII 820
Ace Attorney (series) 810
Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shōjo 70 2690
Xenogears (series) & Xenosaga (series) 730
Sakura Wars (series) 700
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition 31 660
Sakura Taisen: Premium Edition 610
Neverwinter Nights & Expansions 60 600
Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright Trilogy 570
Final Fantasy: Ivalice Alliance 89 510
Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga 27 509
Icewind Dale & Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter 37 431
Xenosaga (series) 430
Chrono (series) 410
Kingdom Hearts 73 360
Touhou Project (Windows Main Series + Spin-offs + Fighters) 51 342
Xenosaga (series) 340
Star Ocean (series) 310
Sakura Taisen 1 & 2 290
Lunar 1 & 2 65 270
Final Fantasy XIII & XIII-2 36 240
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition 200
Shadow Hearts (series) 33 165
Final Fantasy X & X-2: Collector's Edition 35 160
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence 22 150
Mother/Earthbound Trilogy 133
The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition 115
Final Fantasy Anthology 23 110
Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection 23 100
Phantasy Star: Original (series) 96
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Limited Edition) 89
Final Fantasy Chronicles 14 85
Final Fantasy Anthology 17 76
Resident Evil: Original Trilogy 72
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy 62
Final Fantasy: Original Trilogy 48
Dragon Warrior: Erdrick Trilogy 35
Resident Evil HD Collection 27
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls 5.5 27
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords 15
Dragon Quest 15

See also

References

External Links

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