What a Completionist Is in Games
A completionist is a player who aims to complete everything a game has to offer, not merely finishing the main story but gathering every collectible, earning every achievement, and experiencing all its content.

A completionist is a player who aims to complete everything a game has to offer, not merely finishing the main story but gathering every collectible, earning every achievement, and experiencing all its content. For a completionist, a game is not truly done until nothing is left undone. This dedicated approach to playing is a well-known and rewarding style for those who enjoy it. Below is a clear look at what a completionist is, what completing a game fully means, and why some players pursue it.
What does being a completionist mean?
Being a completionist means setting out to do everything a game offers, rather than simply reaching the end. A completionist aims to finish all the content, gather every collectible, complete every optional challenge, and leave nothing undone. For them, finishing the main story is not enough; the goal is to experience and accomplish all of it. This thorough, all-encompassing approach to playing a game, pursuing total completion, is what it means to be a completionist.
What does completing a game fully involve?
Completing a game fully, as a completionist aims to, usually involves far more than finishing the main story. It may mean collecting every collectible, earning every achievement or trophy, finishing all side content and optional challenges, and seeing everything the game contains. The exact goal depends on the game, but the aim is to leave nothing undone. This pursuit of total completion, often called getting a hundred percent, is a thorough and often demanding undertaking that defines the completionist's play.
Why do some players aim to complete everything?
Some players aim to complete everything for the sense of thoroughness, achievement, and full experience it brings. There is satisfaction in leaving nothing undone, in mastering a game completely, and in the challenge of achieving total completion. Completionists also enjoy experiencing all a game has to offer, not missing any content. For players who love goals, collecting, and thoroughness, the pursuit of complete completion is deeply rewarding, giving extra purpose and depth to playing a game they enjoy.
What is the satisfaction of full completion?
The satisfaction of full completion comes from the sense of total accomplishment, of having done absolutely everything a game offers and left nothing undone. Reaching this goal, often after considerable effort, feels like a genuine achievement and a mark of mastery and dedication. There is also the pleasure of having fully experienced a game you love. This deep, complete satisfaction, earned through thoroughness and persistence, is the reward that draws completionists and makes the pursuit worthwhile for those who enjoy it.
Is being a completionist challenging?
Being a completionist can be challenging, since completing everything a game offers often requires considerable time, effort, and sometimes skill, especially where some achievements or content are hard to obtain. It may mean pursuing difficult challenges, finding well-hidden collectibles, or investing many hours. This demanding nature is part of the appeal for completionists, who relish the challenge of total completion. While not every game is hard to complete fully, the pursuit can be a real test of dedication and persistence.
Do you have to be a completionist to enjoy a game?
Not at all. Being a completionist is one style of play, enjoyable for those who like it, but it is entirely optional. Many players happily finish a game's main story, or play only the parts they enjoy, without aiming for full completion, and that is perfectly fine. Completionism suits players who love thoroughness and goals, while others prefer a more relaxed approach. Each way of playing is valid, and you should pursue completion only if it adds to your enjoyment.
Which games appeal to completionists?
Games with lots of content, collectibles, achievements, and optional challenges often appeal strongly to completionists, as they offer much to pursue and complete. A game rich in things to do and find gives a completionist plenty to aim for, while a game with clear completion goals, such as achievements, provides a defined target. Games that reward thoroughness suit the style well. For completionists, such content-filled games offer the fullest and most satisfying pursuit of total completion.
A few related questions
What does getting a hundred percent mean? It means completing everything a game tracks or offers, such as all achievements and content, a common goal for completionists marking total completion.
Is completionism only about achievements? Not only. It includes achievements, but also collectibles, side content, and everything else a game offers. The aim is complete thoroughness, not just one kind of goal.
Does every game reward completionism? Not equally. Some games offer rich content and clear completion goals that reward the pursuit, while others offer less to complete. It varies by game.
In short
A completionist aims to complete everything a game offers, not just finish it, pursuing total completion for the thoroughness and achievement it brings. If you love goals, our games section has more, and the blog gathers recent writing.
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