Both DQ7 and 8 -each- took me between 120-130 hours to fully complete respectively(PS1/PS2 versions). That did include completing all sidequests and content(mini-medals, arenas, monster hunts, shard recovery, optional dungeons, etc...). Any playtime beyond that would have to be for purely personal satisfaction(mastering all jobs or whatever).
Mainlining the games would dramatically cut down the overall playtime to a mere fraction(DQ8 significantly less so, but DQ7 is overloaded with so much forced filler that it kind of loses the plot too often with its extra bloat).
Much preferred DQ8 personally, but it really just comes down to the details(as both are eminently enjoyable on their strengths alone). DQ7 on PS1 just had so many pacing and quality of life issues which too often pushed my motivation to the brink. With the supposed fixes in the 3DS port, it may change my opinion. (Or at least my memories of one I played 15 years ago).
