The term "1x playthrough" typically refers to completing a game in a single run without any significant deviations, such as restarting levels, completing side quests, or engaging in extensive exploration. Here’s a breakdown of what it usually means:
Single Completion: The phrase indicates that the player has finished the game from start to finish in one attempt, without using cheats, glitches, or any form of external help.
Standard Difficulty: Often, "1x playthrough" implies that the player is most likely playing on the standard difficulty level, the one intended by the developers for the average experience. Higher difficulties or custom challenges (like speedruns or no damage runs) might require different terminology.
No New Game Plus: A 1x playthrough would typically exclude any "New Game Plus" modes, where players start a new game with the benefits of their previous playthrough (such as upgraded gear or skills).
Completionist vs. Casual: While some players might aim for 100% completion during their 1x playthrough by completing all quests, collecting all items, or unlocking all achievements, others may focus on just finishing the main storyline. The term can refer to either approach depending on the context in which it’s used.
Length of Playtime: The term is often applied to time spent. For example, if a game takes approximately 20 hours to complete, a "1x playthrough" would indicate that the player has invested that amount of time in their initial and only run of the game.
- Post-game Content: A 1x playthrough might also indicate that the player has not ventured into any post-game content, such as additional missions, harder difficulties, or expansions that may become available after the main story is completed.
Overall, a "1x playthrough" signifies a straightforward experience of the game, focusing on getting through the narrative or objectives as intended by the developers in one uninterrupted session.