Games Where Side Activities Are Better Than the Main Quest

For me, the main story in a game is always important, but what really makes a game great is everything around it. I love having tons of side quests, puzzles to solve, and stuff to collect. It’s awesome when I get a little burned out on the main story and can just take a break to explore, level up my character, or find some cool new gear. It’s also a great way to learn more about the game’s world and story, even if it’s not directly tied to the main quest.

These games don’t have bad main stories, but the things you can do outside the main story are often more interesting and stick with you longer. When we talk about ‘side activities‘ here, we mean everything beyond the main quest – like puzzles, hidden secrets, mini-games, and items you collect while exploring.

Hogwarts Legacy

Brilliant Side Character Quests, Puzzles, And More

While the central storyline of Hogwarts Legacy is adequate, the side quests focusing on memorable characters are much more captivating than the main conflict with Ranrok. The storylines involving Poppy Sweeting and her work with magical creatures, and Sebastian Sallow’s exploration of the Dark Arts, are particularly well-crafted and will leave players wanting more. The game also includes enjoyable side quests from the Hogwarts professors, which adds to the immersive experience of being a student.

The game is filled with challenging puzzles, like the Merlin Trials, and tons of collectibles – over a thousand, actually! It’s disappointing that Quidditch wasn’t included in the main game, but it’s available separately in Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

A Weak Main Quest, Brilliant Side Quests

Many people point to Skyrim as a game where the main story feels slow, but its side quests are incredibly engaging and make up for it. Joining groups like the Dark Brotherhood or Thieves Guild unlocks lengthy and interesting side adventures (particularly with the Thieves Guild), though you don’t have to join one to have fun. The game also features unique Daedric quests that are often dark, humorous, and intense, ranging from epic storylines to bizarre encounters – like one involving a talking dog!

Beyond the main quests, players with the Hearthfire and other DLCs can also focus on relaxing activities like building a home, getting married, and fishing. Because of these additions, Skyrim has evolved into a surprisingly cozy game where becoming the Dragonborn and completing the main story is optional – you can simply enjoy a peaceful life in the game world.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Road To Arx Is Long, But The Side Activities Make It Worth It

Larian Studios is known for strong writing and compelling stories, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 continues that tradition. While the main storyline is quite lengthy and becomes serious as the game nears its conclusion, each section offers plenty of optional quests and smaller challenges to break things up.

Like other games from Larian Studios, solving the mysteries in this game – like why pigs are catching fire or how to change cows back into people – will require clever thinking and resourcefulness. Each of your companions also has a personal story that connects to the main quest. Lohse’s story about demonic possession is particularly intense and urgent, and Fane’s past reveals important details about the game’s world. Although completing all the side quests in each area is a good way to gain experience, they also offer some of the most difficult challenges in the game, like the quest involving Alice Alisceon, providing a welcome change of pace from the main story.

Mass Effect Trilogy

Amazing Main Story, Even Better Side Quests

The Mass Effect trilogy is renowned for its captivating story that keeps players engaged from beginning to end. The unique experience of following Commander Shepherd’s journey across three games, alongside both familiar and new characters, is something very few other games achieve.

While it might be surprising to some, the side missions and downloadable content actually contain some of the very best parts of the game. For example, the Mass Effect 2 content featuring Liara and the Shadow Broker is amazing, and who could forget the thrilling mission to stop Shepard’s clone in Mass Effect 3? Although the main story is excellent, it’s these side adventures that truly bring Shepard and their team to life. What’s even better is that your choices in these missions have lasting consequences, impacting both the main story and the overall fate of the galaxy.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Gwent And Side Quests Are Highly Distracting (In A Good Way)

As a huge fan of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I can tell you there’s always something to do! You’re constantly searching for Ciri, but in between that main quest, there are tons of side missions. Some are really intense and gritty, while others are surprisingly lighthearted – I even got to play a part in a play as Geralt! What I love is that you get to choose how dedicated you want to be to the whole Witcher lifestyle; you can be super serious or just have fun with it.

What makes The Witcher 3 truly special isn’t just its extensive DLC and long side quests—the card game Gwent is a huge part of its appeal too. Gwent became so popular, it was even released as a standalone game! But even if you’re not into card games, there’s still plenty to do: you can build relationships with characters, enter fistfights, destroy monster lairs, search for crafting recipes, and even go to horse races. You definitely won’t run out of things to do as Geralt.

Grand Theft Auto 5

Why Complete The Main Quest When You Could Play Tennis?

What makes GTA 5 truly great is how much fun it is to just roam around and cause trouble in Los Santos. The story is decent, but the real appeal is the open world itself, which is full of opportunities for fun and side activities if you don’t want to focus on the main plot.

GTA 5 offers a huge variety of things to do. You can take on thrilling, repeatable missions like armored van heists for big rewards, or unwind with calmer activities like tennis, golf, or darts. Want to settle down? Buy a house, hang out at the bar, catch a movie, or even practice yoga. In GTA 5, the possibilities are endless.

Cyberpunk 2077

Attend Dates, Do Mercenary Work, Uncover Johnny’s Past, And More

Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA 5 both have a similar, fast-paced and unpredictable feel. Beyond its compelling main story and emotionally impactful scenes, the game offers a huge amount to do. You play as V, a mercenary who takes on all sorts of jobs in Night City, offering quick ways to earn money.

The game received updates adding more ways to connect with characters you’ve built relationships with – you can now hang out with them at your home or call them directly. Beyond that, there’s a side quest exploring Johnny Silverhand’s history. If you’re looking for something different, you can ride the roller coaster in Pacifica, find a Joytoy in Jig-Jig Street, or test your skills against MaxTac. And when you need a break, you can collect tarot cards or relax with guided meditation braindances.

2025-12-05 14:37