How Long Does it Really Take to 100% Slime Rancher?
The burning question on every aspiring rancher’s mind: How long does it take to 100% Slime Rancher? The answer, as with most open-world simulation games, is: it depends. But to give you a realistic estimate, you’re looking at somewhere between 50 to 80 hours for a complete playthrough. This includes unlocking all achievements, exploring every nook and cranny of the Far, Far Range, fully upgrading your ranch, and completing all of the game’s key objectives.
This timeframe can fluctuate significantly depending on several factors, from your playstyle to your previous experience with similar games. Some players, particularly those who enjoy a more methodical approach, might take upwards of 100 hours. Others, focusing on efficiency and optimization, could potentially achieve 100% completion in closer to 40-50 hours. Let’s delve into what influences this time estimate.
Factors Influencing Completion Time
Several elements play a pivotal role in determining how long your Slime Rancher journey will last. Understanding these factors can help you strategize and potentially shorten your path to full completion.
Player Experience
- New players will naturally take longer. Learning the game’s mechanics, understanding slime behaviors, navigating the map, and mastering ranch management takes time. Expect a steeper learning curve in the early game.
- Experienced players familiar with the game or similar simulation titles can leverage their knowledge to optimize their ranch and quickly progress through the game. They’ll already understand the value of certain slimes, efficient ranch layouts, and resource management strategies.
Playstyle
- Explorers who meticulously uncover every secret and hidden area will naturally spend more time in the Far, Far Range. While this adds to the experience, it can extend the overall completion time.
- Efficient Ranchers prioritize profit maximization and optimized slime production. They focus on building the most effective ranch layout, selectively breeding valuable slimes, and minimizing exploration until absolutely necessary. This approach significantly reduces completion time.
Difficulty Settings
- Adventure Mode, the standard setting, offers a balanced experience. This is the baseline for our estimated completion time.
- Casual Mode removes the threat of Tarr slimes and makes resources more abundant, leading to a faster and easier playthrough.
- Rush Mode presents a unique challenge: complete the game in a limited amount of time. While not strictly required for 100% completion, mastering Rush Mode significantly improves your understanding of the game and can indirectly reduce your time on subsequent Adventure Mode playthroughs aimed at full completion.
Achievement Hunting
- Slime Rancher boasts a robust list of achievements, many of which require specific tasks or milestones. Some are relatively straightforward, while others demand strategic planning and execution. Actively focusing on achievement hunting from the start can streamline the process. Ignoring achievements until the end can add considerable time to your playthrough as you backtrack and complete missed tasks.
- Certain achievements are inherently time-consuming, such as reaching specific milestones in the 7Zee Rewards Club or breeding and selling a large number of specific Largo slimes.
Tips to Accelerate Your Progress
If you’re eager to achieve 100% completion as efficiently as possible, consider these tips:
Optimize Your Ranch Layout
A well-organized ranch is key to maximizing profits and minimizing time wasted on mundane tasks. Group similar slimes together, utilize auto-feeders and drones to automate chores, and strategically place plort collectors to efficiently gather valuable resources. Consider the needs of your slimes and optimize placement for happiness and ease of care.
Prioritize Valuable Slimes
Focus on breeding Largo slimes that produce high-value plorts. Pink Rock Largos, Tabby Phosphor Largos, and Honey Hunter Largos are excellent choices for early-game profit generation. As you progress, explore more specialized and valuable slime combinations.
Master Teleporters and Drones
Teleporters are invaluable for traversing the Far, Far Range quickly. Unlock and strategically place them to minimize travel time between key locations. Drones automate ranch chores, freeing you to explore, collect resources, and focus on more strategic tasks. Invest in drone upgrades as soon as possible to maximize their efficiency.
Exploit Food Sources
Understanding which slimes prefer which types of food is crucial. Chicken slimes prefer fruit. Vegeterian slimes prefer veggies. Carnivore slimes prefer meat. Optimizing your food production to cater to the specific needs of your valuable slimes ensures maximum plort production and overall ranch efficiency.
Strategically Plan Explorations
Before venturing into a new area, research which slimes and resources you’ll encounter. Bring the necessary equipment and upgrades to efficiently collect resources and navigate challenging environments. Prioritize unlocking key areas that contain valuable resources or unlock new slime types.
Breaking Down the Completion Process
While a definitive timeline is elusive, we can break down the Slime Rancher completion process into key phases:
- Early Game (First 10-15 hours): Focus on establishing your ranch, understanding the basics of slime care, and exploring the immediate surrounding areas. Prioritize unlocking the Overgrowth and The Grotto.
- Mid-Game (15-40 hours): Expand your ranch, experiment with Largo slimes, unlock new areas like the Moss Blanket and the Ancient Ruins, and begin focusing on specific achievements. Unlock and utilize teleporters.
- Late Game (40-80 hours): Dedicate your time to completing remaining achievements, fully upgrading your ranch, exploring the Glass Desert, and maximizing your 7Zee Rewards Club progress. This phase can be the most time-consuming, as it often involves repetitive tasks and meticulous planning.
Conclusion
Achieving 100% completion in Slime Rancher is a rewarding endeavor. While the 50-80 hour estimate serves as a general guideline, remember that your individual experience will vary depending on your playstyle, experience, and dedication. By understanding the key factors that influence completion time and implementing efficient strategies, you can embark on a fulfilling and efficient journey to becoming the ultimate slime rancher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarification and guidance on achieving 100% completion in Slime Rancher:
1. What counts towards 100% completion in Slime Rancher?
Reaching 100% generally refers to unlocking all achievements, fully upgrading your ranch, exploring all map areas, and completing all major milestones within the game (e.g., reaching a high level in the 7Zee Rewards Club).
2. Is Rush Mode completion required for 100%?
No, completing Rush Mode is not strictly required for 100% completion as defined by achievements. However, it can significantly enhance your skills and knowledge, indirectly improving your efficiency in Adventure Mode.
3. What are the most time-consuming achievements?
Achievements related to the 7Zee Rewards Club, collecting specific slime types (especially variants from Gordo slimes), and reaching certain milestones in plort sales are often the most time-consuming.
4. What are the best Largo slime combinations for profit?
Early game: Pink Rock, Tabby Phosphor. Mid-game: Honey Hunter, Crystal Rad. Late game: Dervish Mosaic, Tangle Fire. Experiment to find what works best for your ranch layout and resources.
5. How do I unlock new areas like the Glass Desert?
New areas are typically unlocked by finding and activating specific slime gates using plorts. The Glass Desert, for example, requires specific Ancient Water resources found in certain areas.
6. What are Gordo slimes, and why are they important?
Gordo slimes are large, immobile slimes that block paths to new areas or resources. Feeding them their preferred food until they burst unlocks new areas or teleporters and usually yields keys for unlocking new ranchers on the map.
7. How do I use teleporters effectively?
Place teleporters strategically near key resource locations, your ranch entrance, and areas you frequently visit. This significantly reduces travel time and improves overall efficiency.
8. What are Drones, and how do they help?
Drones are automated helpers that can perform tasks like feeding slimes, collecting plorts, and tending to gardens. Invest in drone upgrades to increase their capacity and efficiency.
9. How do I protect my ranch from Tarr slimes?
Tarr slimes are created when a Largo slime eats a third plort type. To prevent Tarr outbreaks, avoid overfeeding Largo slimes and keep your ranch clean of stray plorts. Water also destroys Tarrs.
10. What is the 7Zee Rewards Club, and how do I progress?
The 7Zee Rewards Club is a loyalty program that offers rewards for completing tasks and selling plorts. Progress through the tiers by consistently fulfilling contracts and maximizing your plort sales.
11. What is the best way to farm chickens?
Hen houses are the most reliable way to farm chickens. Ensure your hen houses are well-maintained and protected from predators (like Tabby slimes) to maximize chicken production.
12. How do I get the Jetpack?
The Jetpack is unlocked by reaching a certain level in the 7Zee Rewards Club and purchasing it from the Equipment Shop.
13. What are the best upgrades to buy first?
Prioritize upgrading your Vacpack capacity, energy, and water tank. This improves your efficiency in resource collection and allows you to handle larger Tarr outbreaks.
14. How do I find rare resources like Deep Brine or Strange Diamonds?
Rare resources are typically found in specific areas of the map, often hidden in secluded locations or requiring specific upgrades to access. Explore thoroughly and consult online resources for detailed locations.
15. What is the purpose of the Lab?
The Lab allows you to craft gadgets and decorations using resources collected from the Far, Far Range. Many gadgets provide useful benefits, such as teleporters, apiaries for honey slimes, and more.