RPGs That Are Better If You Ignore The Main Story

The most enjoyable role-playing games often shine when players choose to explore beyond the main story. Getting sidetracked – whether it’s investigating a strange rumor, helping someone with a peculiar issue, or simply exploring – can be incredibly rewarding, even if it means putting the world-saving quest on hold.

The most memorable experiences in role-playing games often happen during optional side quests, with quirky characters, or through unexpected storylines that develop naturally. Here are a few RPGs that truly stand out when you take a break from the main story and explore what else they have to offer.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

A World That Never Stops Moving

Skyrim is brilliant at pulling you away from its main story. While you’re supposed to be fulfilling the Dragonborn’s destiny, the most fun comes from exploring the many side quests. Falling into the Dark Brotherhood storyline feels like unexpectedly joining a secret society, and the Thieves Guild lets you live out a compelling underdog story.

Unexpected events really make the game world feel vibrant and real. You might be peacefully exploring when you’re suddenly ambushed by assassins or confronted by cultists, adding a thrilling twist. While *Skyrim’s* central plot revolves around dragons and fate, it’s the little stories and random happenings that truly bring the province to life and make it endlessly fascinating to explore.

Fallout: New Vegas

When Side Quests Feel Like Main Quests

While hunting down the person who shot the Courier is a key part of *Fallout: New Vegas*, it’s often overshadowed by the complex conflicts happening in the Mojave Wasteland. Each group has its own complicated schemes, backstabbing, and struggles for control, so even small choices can have big consequences across the entire region.

The most memorable experiences often come from side quests – things like exploring the secrets of Vault 11 or helping different groups find peace. While the main story is good, the truly compelling narrative comes from the player’s own decisions, the friendships they forge, and the difficult choices they make.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Adventure By Accident

While *Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen* has a main story, it truly shines when letting players explore the world of Gransys. The game is filled with unexpected events – like an escort mission being interrupted by a sudden Griffin attack – that create exciting and unpredictable challenges.

The Pawn system makes even simple exploration feel fresh and new. Your Pawns will excitedly reveal hidden items and share interesting details about the world, making just wandering around a rewarding experience. This makes the game world feel much more engaging, even when you’re not actively pursuing a quest.

Cyberpunk 2077

Night City’s Best Stories Hide In The Alleys

While the main story in *Cyberpunk 2077* is interesting, the game really comes to life through its side missions. Things like gigs, NCPD scanner jobs, and the smaller, character-focused quests make Night City feel like a vibrant, bustling place.

Side stories, like those involving Judy or Panam, are often more emotionally impactful than the main plot. Even just exploring the city can lead to surprising finds, such as hidden encounters with dangerous individuals or strange collectibles that add depth and detail to the game’s world.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

When Side Quests Break Hearts

Many fans consider the side quests in The Witcher 3 to be even better than the main story. The quest involving the Bloody Baron is particularly well-regarded, offering a complex and memorable tale of loss and the possibility of making things right.

Even small jobs for Geralt can quickly become complex and surprising, testing not only his fighting ability but also his moral code. The cities of Novigrad and the islands of Skellige are brimming with interesting people facing compelling issues, and often these side stories are just as captivating as his main quest to find Ciri.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Joy Of Exploration

While the main story of *Dragon Age: Inquisition* – closing the Breach – is truly grand, the game shines brightest in its smaller, more intimate moments found while exploring areas like the Hinterlands, Storm Coast, and Emerald Graves. These side adventures often deliver the most memorable experiences.

Sometimes, getting to know your companions, learning about the world’s history, and carefully planning during strategy sessions feels more fulfilling than following the main story. The game encourages you to take your time and explore, rewarding you with extra conversations, useful items, and small but interesting discoveries about the world of Thedas and the people in your Inquisition.

Horizon Forbidden West

A Playground Of Machines

While Aloy’s journey to defeat Nemesis drives the plot of Horizon Forbidden West, the game truly shines through its immersive world. Getting involved in tribal disputes, tracking down unique machines, and discovering secret underground facilities often prove more captivating than the main storyline itself.

The game is packed with interesting things to discover, making it hard to resist exploring. Every area has its own secrets and huge, challenging enemies, turning even a quick trip off the main path into an epic experience.

2025-10-18 05:07