10 Open World Games With Amazing Side Quests

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have to say that the open-world genre has truly evolved over the years, and some games have left an indelible mark on me. Among these titans, one stands out as the epitome of side quest excellence: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

I still remember the first time I played Geralt of Rivia’s adventure, and I was captivated by the intricate web of events and characters that intertwined to create a world that felt alive. The way each seemingly insignificant errand could blossom into a full-fledged story was nothing short of magical.

Fast forward to today, and I can still feel the thrill of discovering new side quests, knowing that they would have an impact on my journey hours later in the most unexpected places. The Witcher 3’s side content is a testament to CD Projekt’s masterful storytelling, and it’s a testament to the power of open-world games when done right.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go back to The Witcher 3 one more time – just in case there are any side quests I may have missed the first hundred times through! (And no, I haven’t counted how many times I’ve played it yet.)

Over the last couple of years, the open-world style of gaming has gained considerable popularity within the video game industry.

Because they have so many potential uses, you typically get the most bang for your buck with them, providing countless hours of entertainment and immersion.

Yet, creating such an experience entails more than just a compelling campaign and an aesthetically pleasing environment. To make your world seem rich and vibrant, you require exceptional additional content options.

To put it plainly, it’s the secondary elements that truly set great experiences apart from exceptional ones. I can back this up by sharing this compilation of ten outstanding open-world games featuring captivating side quests.

10. Dragon Age: Inquisition

A Memorable Fantasy

Dragon Age: Inquisition operates within a vast open-world environment that encompasses numerous expansive regions, providing players with the immersive experience of exploring what seems like an entire continent.

Instead, the game offers an immersive experience because of its additional tasks, enabling players to govern the Inquisition as a comprehensive institution.

Whenever I’m tasked with seizing strategic strongholds, delving into old relic-filled tombs, or vanquishing powerful demon lieutenants, it makes me feel like I’m leading a grand coalition of power and strategy.

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, every secondary mission enriches some aspect of its diverse elements – be it resources, storyline, or fun factor. Playing through all these missions makes the game an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

For some traditional role-playing game enthusiasts, it might seem underwhelming, yet I firmly think it’s the superior installment in the series due to its abundance of optional content.

9. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

The Series’ Non-Linear Pioneer

In its early days, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag was a trailblazer in creating a vast, open-ended environment brimming with various tasks and activities.

The collection of Havana, Nassau, and Kingston significantly enhances the mix of side quests, creating a diverse and unpredictable adventure.

Besides the main storylines involving naval battles, Templar chases, and assassinations, exploring the world as Edward Kenway offers more than just a single-player experience. Compared to modern Assassin’s Creed games, the side activities included here significantly surpass current standards.

Without a doubt, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag stands out as a trailblazing addition to the series, earning recognition alongside other genre greats.

8. Death Stranding

Not Your Typical Open-World

Death Stranding presents a unique take on the open-world genre, as its post-apocalyptic landscape offers limited activities, encounters with characters, and destinations to explore.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, completing a delivery within this context also satisfies a human’s inherent desire to connect, fostering a genuine feeling of belonging among the survivors and themselves.

Side quests align with the game’s theme, emphasizing teamwork as essential for survival. Interacting with an elder doesn’t just yield resources and loot, but also instills optimism and wisdom.

Furthermore, these goals give you an opportunity to make the most of the game’s landscape, as some of the largest and most enjoyable obstacles are hidden within them.

Death Stranding stands out as a unique video game in numerous aspects, and this uniqueness extends even to its side quests. However, it is precisely this peculiarity that makes it so endearing.

7. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Spontaneous and Ruthless

Much like its forerunner, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game that captivates primarily due to its expansive world and abundance of activities.

At each step you make, fresh sights abound: a crumbling fortress waiting to be discovered, a fierce griffin to conquer, a villager in need of rescue, or a cave filled with treasures—every corner of Vermund and Battahl captivates your attention.

Consequently, the most captivating aspect lies in the actions taken out of personal curiosity, rather than compulsion by the plot. In Dragon’s Dogma 2, exploration is richly rewarded, creating a gratifying experience that often becomes hard to resist.

The game might not boast many storytelling aspects, but its gameplay is unparalleled. Be it for the thrill of the prize, battling a legendary adversary, or mastering the game’s stunning battle mechanics, every other aspect is simply remarkable.

6. Grand Theft Auto 5

There Is No Place Like Los Santos

As a gaming enthusiast with a penchant for fantasy realms, be it medieval or sci-fi, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the vibrant cityscape of Grand Theft Auto V’s Los Santos. Its allure is undeniable.

Even after all these years, the game remains a pivotal moment in its genre, boasting timeless satire reminiscent of fine aging wine and, most notably, an open world that seems more vibrant and lively than ever before.

In Grand Theft Auto 5, you can engage in a variety of distinct activities such as driving, shooting, playing tennis, customizing your character, and just immersing yourself in the absurdity of things. Remarkably, each of these activities could easily stand alone as separate games. However, what makes GTA 5 exceptional is that it combines all these elements into a single, outstanding package.

Through its three main characters, a multitude of secondary events unfold, significantly so because you can switch between them instantly, observing each lost in their own fantasies.

Rockstar has repeatedly demonstrated that it reigns supreme among open-world games. However, titles like these set it apart and elevate it to an exceptional level.

5. Cyberpunk 2077

A City To Remember

As a seasoned gamer with years of immersive gaming experiences under my belt, I must say that the intricately designed Night City of Cyberpunk 2077 stands out as one of the most captivating game worlds I’ve ever explored. The sprawling landscapes, diverse factions, and richly developed characters create a density that truly sets it apart in the cyberpunk genre. Each corner, each character interaction feels alive, immersing me deeper into this futuristic metropolis. It’s an exhilarating journey I won’t soon forget!

The ambiance offers a visual and audio treat in all aspects, and upon recognizing its vast array of gameplay and storyline possibilities, you understand that it stands among the finest.

Similarly, the side missions offer an engaging experience in terms of both gameplay and storytelling, leveraging the unique aspects of the subgenre. Each adventure explores concepts like personal identity, community spirit, and the abuse of power, among other themes, to a greater extent.

Apart from the main storylines involving notable side characters like Johnny Silverhand, Panam, Judy, Kerry, and River, it’s these subplots that offer the richest gameplay experiences and narrative depth.

Instead of delving into a submerged settlement to unearth its past or discovering the twisted tale of a missing child on a rural property, the most engaging gaming experiences and captivating storylines can be found in the additional missions or side quests.

Regarding the initial rollout, the design and craftsmanship in Cyberpunk 2077 have consistently been top-notch, a quality further emphasized by the arrival of Phantom Liberty.

4. Fallout: New Vegas

Obsidian’s Mastery

When it comes to missions that players remember and are deeply impacted by, I can’t help but think of just a handful of studios that rival the caliber of Obsidian Entertainment.

As a result, only a handful of games match the quality of writing, setting, and role-playing found in Fallout: New Vegas, which is considered the crown jewel of the series.

Regardless of its compact gameplay structure, the intricacy and richness with which New Vegas delves into its universe stands out uniquely. The side missions skillfully elicit emotions via dialogues and engaging scenarios.

The solution, though, comes down to the flexibility with which the game enables you to handle each circumstance differently. Whether it’s funny missions or disputes about a guild’s fate, the methods for resolution vary greatly based on your perspective.

Without a doubt, Fallout: New Vegas stands out as an essential title due to its massive scale, engrossing narrative, and intriguing stories that keep you yearning for more information.

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Immersion At Its Finest

One compelling interpretation of this statement could be: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim stands out as one of the most iconic examples within the open-world gaming genre due to its impressive size and captivating immersion, which are some of the best ever recorded.

Despite some drawbacks like restricted gameplay or a climactic boss battle that falls short of expectations, its side content is nothing short of exceptional.

While it may have issues with the main gameplay and final boss, its side activities are simply outstanding.

Or:

Though it might lack in certain areas such as overall gameplay or a powerful final adversary, it truly shines when it comes to additional content.

To be honest, side missions like Daedric quests, guilds, civil war, and other factions often surpass the primary campaign because they offer compact yet impactful experiences that truly showcase the game at its finest.

Due to the expansive nature of “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”, one could easily invest hundreds of hours delving into every corner and there would still be uncharted realms waiting to be discovered, a testament to its remarkable quality.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

A First-class Western

If you ever come across a video game where the characters seem more alive than just pixels, it likely is Red Dead Redemption 2.

Rockstar’s magnum opus showcases the extraordinary heights that unscripted creativity can reach within an expansive environment. It represents a meticulously crafted game that exudes vitality, feeling remarkably lifelike in every aspect.

In this game, there are fewer side quests compared to others within the genre, yet they are exceptionally detailed and immersive, giving players a truly authentic sense of life as an outlaw in the Old West.

If you’ve never had an adventure that includes not encountering a wolf hunt, being mugged on your journey to town, finding yourself in a gunfight with a local gang, and then casually playing poker in a saloon all within 15 minutes, then you haven’t truly experienced the grandeur of such experiences yet.

In a world as meticulously crafted as that of Red Dead Redemption 2, boasting flawless scripting, character design, and a stunning environment, it’s no wonder this gaming universe stands among the marvels of contemporary gaming.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

An Unparalleled Adventure

Experiencing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt could transform your perspective on an entire video game genre, leaving a lasting impact once you’ve given it a go.

In comparison, the RPG I recently played was remarkably unique, much like no other world I encountered during Geralt of Rivia’s final journey.

The manner in which it connects incidents and personalities is inventive and unpredictable, placing immersion at the forefront as we progress through each step. What might seem like a simple task for financial needs could eventually unfold into a captivating narrative with unexpected turns, diverse settings, and numerous developments.

Engaging in every side mission thoroughly, observing how it affects the narrative fifteen hours down the line in seemingly unrelated locations, is a unique experience that seldom repeats itself.

In numerous aspects, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is hailed as a masterpiece, and while some games in the genre might be more comprehensive, when it comes to side quests, few titles can match the excellence offered by CD Projekt’s gem.

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2024-12-30 20:10