Staring at your gaming backlog can feel overwhelming. Ten games sitting there, unplayed, while new releases keep tempting you. But here’s the truth: clearing a 10-game backlog is more achievable than you think.
I’m going to show you exactly how to do it in three months.
The Math Actually Works
Let’s start with the reality check. If you can finish 3-4 games per month, you’ll clear 10 games in three months. Sounds simple, right? But the key is understanding how long games actually take to beat.
Here’s how I break down game lengths:
Short games (10-15 hours): 4-5 days to complete Medium games (20-40 hours): 7-10 days to complete Long games (50+ hours): 15-20 days to complete
These estimates assume you’re playing to finish the main story, not aiming for 100% completion on your first playthrough. That’s the secret. You’re here to experience these games and move forward, not platinum everything.
Example 10-Game Backlog
Let me show you this works with real games. Here’s my actual backlog with estimated completion times:
Short Games (10-20 hours):
- Absolum: 10-15 hours
- Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: 10-12 hours
- Monster Hunter: Wilds (story only): 15-20 hours
Medium Games (20-40 hours):
- Hades 2: 20-25 hours
- Ghost of Yotei: 25-30 hours
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: 26-30 hours
- The First Berserker: Khazan: 30-35 hours
- Final Fantasy Tactics: 35-40 hours
Long Games (40+ hours):
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode: 40-50 hours
Notice something? I’ve organized them from shortest to longest. This is intentional.
Breaking Down My 3-Month Plan
Now let’s see how this actually works in practice. With 6 hours of daily play time, here’s how I’m tackling my backlog:
Month 1: Build Momentum with Short Games
- Week 1-2: Absolum (10-15 hours)
- Week 2-3: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (10-12 hours)
- Week 3-4: Monster Hunter: Wilds story (15-20 hours)
Total: 3 games cleared in Month 1
By the end of the first month, I’ve already knocked out three games. This builds confidence and proves the system works.
Month 2: Mix of Medium Games
- Week 1-2: Hades 2 (20-25 hours)
- Week 2-3: Ghost of Yotei (25-30 hours)
- Week 4: Start Expedition 33 (26-30 hours)
Total: 2-3 games cleared in Month 2
The momentum from Month 1 carries over. These medium-length games feel manageable because you’ve already proven you can clear your backlog.
Month 3: Tackle the Heavy Hitters
- Week 1: Finish Expedition 33
- Week 1-2: The First Berserker: Khazan (30-35 hours)
- Week 3-4: Final Fantasy Tactics (35-40 hours)
Total: 3 games cleared in Month 3
Month 4: The Final Boss
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode (40-50 hours)
Yes, this technically extends into a fourth month, but that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection—it’s progress.
Final Count: 10 games in roughly 3-4 months
With 6 hours of daily play, this backlog is absolutely clearable. If you play less (2-3 hours daily), simply extend the timeline to 6-8 months. The strategy remains the same.
Don’t Stack Multiple Long Games in the Same Month
Here’s a mistake that kills backlog plans: trying to play two or three massive RPGs simultaneously in the same month.
Even if you play several hours a day, juggling multiple 50+ hour games means you’re splitting your focus, forgetting plot points, and losing momentum. Pick one long game per month maximum, then fill the rest of your time with shorter experiences.
Your brain will thank you. Your completion rate will thank you.
My Approach: I Only Play Games I Intend to Finish
Here’s how I personally handle my backlog: I only play games I intend to finish.
I never play games I don’t like in the first place. If a game is in my backlog, it’s because I genuinely want to play it. When I start a game, I’m already committed to seeing it through to the end. That’s just how I approach gaming.
But your approach might be completely different, and that’s perfectly fine.
Maybe your backlog includes games you just want to try out. Maybe you’re curious about certain titles but aren’t sure if you’ll finish them. Maybe you want to sample different genres or see what the hype is about. Your backlog can include whatever games you want, whether you plan to finish them or not.
The beauty of this 3-month framework is that it’s flexible. You might finish all 10 games. You might finish 7 and decide 3 others weren’t for you. You might discover that a game you thought you’d just “try” becomes one you can’t put down.
The point isn’t to create pressure or rules about what belongs in your backlog. The point is to give yourself a realistic timeline and strategy to actually play through the games sitting in your library, however far you take each one.
Real Talk: How Much Do You Need to Play?
This strategy assumes you’re playing consistently. For me, that’s about 6 hours per day. Your mileage may vary.
If you play 2-3 hours daily, adjust your timeline to 4-6 months instead of 3. That’s still totally achievable. The strategy stays the same: prioritize by length, build momentum with short games, don’t stack long games.
The key is consistency, not marathon sessions.
Finding Accurate Game Lengths
Before you plan your three months, you need accurate time estimates. Head to HowLongToBeat and look up each game in your backlog. Focus on the “Main Story” completion time, not “Completionist.”
Write down those hours. Sort your games from shortest to longest. Now you have your roadmap.
The Bottom Line
Ten games in three months isn’t a fantasy. It’s a simple strategy:
- Start with shorter games to build momentum
- Don’t stack multiple long games in the same month
- Be consistent with your playtime
- Focus on experiencing games, not perfecting them
- Play however you want – finish them all or just see how far you get
Your backlog isn’t a monster. It’s a queue. And queues get cleared when you tackle them strategically.
Now pick your first game and start playing.
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