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How Long to Beat prey hltb: Understanding Gameplay Duration and Optimization
The world of gaming has captured the hearts of millions, offering endless adventures, challenges, and storytelling. Among these, Prey stands out as a masterpiece of immersive design. Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, Prey combines gripping narrative elements, intense action, and strategic gameplay to create an unforgettable experience.
A common question among players, especially those planning their playthrough, is: “How long does it take to beat Prey?” This query often brings up the term HLTB (How Long to Beat), a widely used metric in gaming that estimates the time required to complete a game.
In this guide, we explore the factors influencing Prey’s gameplay length, offer insights into its varied playstyles, and provide practical tips to make your journey through Talos I both efficient and enjoyable. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a completionist, understanding Prey’s structure will help you tailor your experience to your preferences.
What is prey hltb?
Prey HLTB is a commonly searched term by players curious about the length of Prey. HLTB, short for How Long to Beat, is a metric used by gamers to gauge how much time they’ll need to invest in a particular game. This guide explores every aspect of Prey’s gameplay length, including the main story, optional quests, and even DLC content.
Understanding prey hltb: An Overview
Released in 2017, Prey is a first-person action-adventure game set in an alternate universe. The game takes place aboard the Talos I space station, where players assume the role of Morgan Yu. Your mission? Survive a hostile alien outbreak, uncover secrets, and determine humanity’s fate.
Key features of Prey include:
- Immersive Storytelling: A gripping narrative that keeps you guessing.
- Open-Ended Gameplay: Multiple paths and choices that affect outcomes.
- Skill Upgrades: Players can enhance abilities using Neuromods, which are crucial for survival.
- Unique Setting: A visually stunning space station teeming with mystery and danger.
How Long Does It Take to Beat Prey?
The time required to complete Prey depends on your playstyle, objectives, and familiarity with the game’s mechanics. Whether you’re focusing on the main story or diving deep into the rich lore of Talos I, here’s a breakdown of estimated completion times.
Main Story Length
For players who prioritize the main storyline without spending much time on extras, Prey typically takes:
- 16 to 20 hours to complete.
Factors such as the chosen difficulty level and prior experience with immersive simulation games can influence this time. Players on easier modes may progress faster, while higher difficulties like Nightmare can increase the challenge and extend playtime.
Main Story + Extras
If you enjoy delving into side quests, uncovering hidden areas, and engaging with the station’s rich backstory, the playtime increases significantly.
- 25 to 30 hours is a reasonable estimate for completing the main story alongside some optional content.
Exploration-focused players will appreciate the additional layers of narrative and world-building that these side activities provide.
Completionist Playthrough
For those aiming for 100% completion, including all quests, collectibles, and secrets hidden within Talos I, expect to spend a considerable amount of time:
- 35 to 40+ hours or more.
Completionist playthroughs involve thorough exploration, solving every puzzle, and scanning every Typhon species to fully upgrade abilities. This approach offers the most comprehensive experience of the game’s world.
Factors That Influence Gameplay Time
Several factors can impact how long it takes to complete Prey:
1. Playstyle
- Aggressive Playstyle: Players who rely on direct combat may progress quickly but risk missing hidden details, story elements, and strategic advantages.
- Exploratory Playstyle: Those who take the time to search every room, read emails, and listen to audio logs will naturally spend more hours uncovering Talos I’s secrets.
2. Difficulty Level
- Easy Mode: Ideal for casual players or those focused on the narrative, this mode reduces enemy difficulty and allows for faster progression.
- Nightmare Mode: Designed for veterans seeking a challenge, this difficulty level increases enemy lethality and resource scarcity, significantly extending playtime.
3. Familiarity with the Game
- First-Time Players: Newcomers often take longer to adapt to the game’s mechanics, such as crafting, hacking, and managing resources.
- Experienced Players: Gamers revisiting Prey or those familiar with immersive sims may complete it more efficiently.
4. Side Quests
Engaging with optional missions greatly enhances the story but also adds significant playtime. These quests often involve intricate puzzles, moral choices, and uncovering Talos I’s hidden lore.
5. DLC and Extras
- Mooncrash DLC: Adding this rogue-like expansion can increase total gameplay time by 10 to 20 hours, depending on your approach and how thoroughly you explore the new mechanics and maps.
- Typhon Hunter Mode: This multiplayer mode adds replayability but doesn’t contribute to the main game’s completion time.
Time Investment Tips
- Set Goals: Decide whether you want to focus on the main story, explore side quests, or aim for full completion to better estimate your time.
- Use Save Slots: Keeping multiple saves can save time if you miss key details or want to try alternate paths.
- Plan Resource Usage: Efficient use of Neuromods, weapons, and crafting materials can speed up gameplay without sacrificing depth.
Summary of Playthrough Times
| Playthrough Type | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Main Story Only | 16-20 hours |
| Main Story + Extras | 25-30 hours |
| Completionist | 35-40+ hours |
| With Mooncrash DLC | Add 10-20 hours |
Prey offers a versatile experience that can be tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re a speedrunner or a meticulous explorer, the game provides countless hours of engaging gameplay. Adjust your approach and difficulty to make the most of your time aboard Talos I.
Detailed Tips to Optimize Your Prey Experience
1. Prioritize Neuromod Upgrades Strategically
Neuromods are the foundation of character progression in Prey, and choosing the right upgrades early on can dramatically impact your experience. Tailor your Neuromod selections to your preferred playstyle:
- Stealth Players: Focus on abilities like Leverage (to move obstacles quietly) and Stealth (to reduce detection chances).
- Combat Enthusiasts: Invest in Combat Focus for increased damage and time-slowing capabilities during battles.
- Hackers & Engineers: Prioritize Hacking and Repair to access locked areas and repair turrets or equipment.
Experimenting with different combinations can reveal new ways to tackle challenges and enemies.
2. Explore Talos I Thoroughly
The Talos I space station is more than just a backdrop; it’s a treasure trove of secrets, resources, and lore. Thorough exploration rewards you with:
- Hidden Neuromods: Many can be found in locked safes, behind breakable walls, or in secret rooms.
- Story Expansions: Emails, notes, and voice recordings reveal the rich backstory of Talos I and its inhabitants.
- Shortcuts and Access Points: Exploring vents, ducts, and less obvious paths can give you tactical advantages and safer routes.
Take your time, interact with the environment, and revisit areas after unlocking new abilities.
3. Manage Your Resources Wisely
Resource scarcity is a core mechanic in Prey, so efficient management is key to survival:
- Recycle Everything: Use the Recycler to convert unwanted items into crafting materials.
- Craft Strategically: Focus on essentials like medkits, ammo, and Neuromods.
- Ammo Conservation: Use melee attacks, environmental hazards, or stealth takedowns to conserve ammunition.
- Scan Enemies First: Use the Psychoscope to identify weaknesses, which helps in reducing resource consumption during fights.
Planning your inventory and crafting priorities can mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.
4. Experiment with Playstyles
One of the best aspects of Prey is its flexibility. The game encourages experimentation, so don’t lock yourself into one approach:
- Blend Stealth and Combat: Switch between sneaking past enemies and engaging in direct confrontations as situations demand.
- Use the Environment: Explosive canisters, turrets, and gravity shifts can be leveraged to eliminate enemies efficiently.
- Typhon Powers: Experiment with alien abilities, like Mimic Matter, to bypass obstacles or confuse foes.
Adapting your playstyle to different scenarios keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.
5. Save Often and Use Multiple Slots
Talos I is unpredictable, with dangers lurking around every corner. To avoid frustration:
- Save Before Exploring: Create saves before entering new areas or engaging enemies.
- Use Multiple Save Slots: This allows you to backtrack if a strategy fails or if you miss an important item.
- Quicksave Frequently: Use the quicksave feature, especially after significant progress or tough encounters.
Frequent saving ensures you’re prepared for any unexpected twists or tough enemy encounters.
Bonus Tip: Utilize the Psychoscope Effectively
Once you acquire the Psychoscope, it becomes an invaluable tool for:
- Scanning Typhon enemies to unlock weaknesses and abilities.
- Identifying mimics disguised as objects before they attack.
- Completing research objectives to enhance your understanding of Talos I’s threats.
This device not only aids in combat but also deepens your immersion in the game’s world.
Why Prey is Worth Your Time
Prey is more than just a game—it’s an experience. Here’s why it stands out:
- Engaging Story: The plot is filled with twists and moral dilemmas.
- Replayability: Multiple endings and choices add depth.
- Atmosphere: The eerie, atmospheric setting keeps you on edge.
- Innovative Gameplay: Unique mechanics like Mimic Matter allow players to transform into objects, adding a layer of creativity.
Prey DLC: Mooncrash and Its Unique Gameplay Length
The Mooncrash DLC takes the core mechanics of Prey and transforms them into a thrilling rogue-lite experience. Set on a lunar base, this expansion challenges players to escape under increasingly difficult conditions while contending with permadeath mechanics. The goal is to complete objectives across five characters, each with unique abilities and backstories, while adapting to randomized environments and threats.
Gameplay Length
The time required to complete Mooncrash varies based on your familiarity with Prey and your adaptability to rogue-lite gameplay mechanics:
- Average Completion Time: 10-15 hours for most players.
- Exploration and Mastery: If you aim to unlock all character abilities, uncover every secret, and optimize escape strategies, expect closer to 20 hours.
The DLC’s replayable nature and procedural elements ensure that each run feels fresh, providing countless hours of engagement for players seeking a new challenge.
Is Prey Replayable?
Absolutely! Prey is renowned for its replayability, offering layers of complexity and choice that keep players returning for more. Here are the primary factors that make Prey highly replayable:
1. Multiple Endings
The choices you make throughout the game significantly influence the narrative’s outcome. From how you interact with NPCs to the moral dilemmas you face, every decision shapes the story’s conclusion. Players often return to explore alternate endings and see how different decisions unfold.
2. Varied Playstyles
One of Prey’s greatest strengths is its flexibility in gameplay:
- Stealth-Focused Runs: Avoid combat entirely by sneaking past enemies and using environmental tools to stay undetected.
- Combat-Centric Playthroughs: Focus on firepower and brute force, leveraging weapons and explosive environments.
- Typhon Powers: Embrace alien abilities for unique tactical advantages, such as mimicking objects or using psychic attacks.
Each approach offers a distinct experience, encouraging experimentation and creative problem-solving.
3. Hidden Secrets and Lore
The Talos I space station is packed with hidden areas, detailed backstory elements, and Easter eggs. Even after completing the game, it’s likely you’ll uncover:
- Rooms or locations you missed on your first playthrough.
- Emails, audio logs, and artifacts that expand on the station’s history and the characters who lived there.
- Alternative ways to solve puzzles or bypass obstacles.
4. Difficulty Levels and Challenges
With difficulty settings ranging from Easy to Nightmare, players can adjust the level of challenge to suit their skill. Additionally, self-imposed challenges, like no-death runs or pacifist playthroughs, add another layer of replayability for hardcore fans.
Conclusion: The Everlasting Appeal of Prey and Mooncrash
Both the main game and the Mooncrash DLC offer experiences that are as dynamic as they are engaging. Prey’s multiple endings, varied playstyles, and rich exploration opportunities make it a title worth revisiting. Meanwhile, Mooncrash reinvents the formula with its rogue-lite mechanics, adding a fresh challenge for players seeking to push their skills to the limit.
Whether you’re replaying the original game or diving into the lunar chaos of Mooncrash, Prey offers endless possibilities to explore and master, ensuring it remains a staple in your gaming library.
Final Thoughts
Prey is a masterpiece that balances gripping storytelling, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals. Whether you’re playing for the first time or diving into another playthrough, understanding the Prey HLTB metrics ensures you know what to expect.
For gamers seeking a rich, immersive experience with plenty of replay value, Prey is an excellent choice. From its intricate world-building to the adrenaline-pumping encounters with Typhon enemies, this game is worth every hour you invest.
So, are you ready to explore Talos I and uncover its secrets? Prepare for an unforgettable journey that challenges your mind and tests your survival instincts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average time required to complete Prey?
The average time to complete Prey depends on your playstyle. For the main storyline, you’ll typically need around 16-20 hours. If you include side quests and exploration, expect to spend 25-30 hours. A completionist playthrough, covering every detail and secret, can take up to 40 hours or more.
Can you speedrun Prey?
Yes, Prey is popular among speedrunners. With in-depth knowledge of the game mechanics and precise planning, skilled players can finish the game in just a few hours. However, speedrunning bypasses much of the content and story, so it’s ideal for seasoned players familiar with the game.
What factors impact the time it takes to beat Prey?
Several factors influence gameplay time, including difficulty settings, your approach to side quests, familiarity with the game, and whether you’re exploring or sticking strictly to the main plot. Resource management and decision-making also play a role in pacing.
How does Mooncrash DLC affect gameplay hours?
The Mooncrash DLC adds about 10-15 hours of gameplay. This depends on your strategy and familiarity with its rogue-lite mechanics. If you aim to complete all objectives and master the DLC, it may take even longer.
Is Prey suitable for casual gamers?
Absolutely! Prey caters to a variety of players. Casual gamers can enjoy its narrative and adjustable difficulty settings, while hardcore players can tackle higher difficulties and aim for 100% completion or speedruns.
Does Prey offer multiple endings?
Yes, Prey features multiple endings based on the choices you make during the game. Your actions throughout the story impact the fate of Talos I and its characters, offering high replay value for those who wish to explore every possible outcome.
