Open-World Games With The Best Balance Of Main & Optional Quests

Summary

In open-world games, a balance between main story content and optional quests is essential for immersive gameplay experiences.
Horizon Forbidden West, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 3 offer engaging stories alongside vast open worlds filled with diverse side content.
Elden Ring and Fallout: New Vegas integrate main and side quests seamlessly, creating experiences where exploration and story progression are intertwined.

Open-world games are typically known for their vast, richly detailed environments teeming with hidden treasures and unexpected encounters for players to uncover while traversing the game world. Additional objectives like side missions and optional targets motivate players to delve deeply into the game’s expansive landscapes.

In these open-world games, there’s a harmonious blend of significant story elements and optional missions, catering to both fans who appreciate a captivating narrative and those who prefer immersive exploration. Some players may overlook the story entirely, while others might focus more on it.

10. Horizon Forbidden West

A New Frontier

In the game Horizon Forbidden West, character Aloy ventures into a fresh domain where she encounters novel tribes and encounters robotic creatures. The map abounds with tasks, ranging from trivial items to elaborate dungeons connected to intricate side missions. Along her travels, Aloy is continuously refining and upgrading her gear, as well as mastering the art of Machine Strike – a captivating board game – at each juncture.

In Horizon Forbidden West, the map is jam-packed with optional tasks, but the main plot does a commendable job of directing players through the world. Key story missions propel players to different zones and steer them towards the most captivating and crucial landmarks. During the early stages of play, these missions will also guide players to unlock new exploration tools that will enable them to take on more side missions. This seamless blend of main plot and additional content makes for a satisfying gaming experience.

9. Cyberpunk 2077

Life In Night City

Among the striking aspects of the debatable game, Cyberpunk 2077, is the remarkable attention given to the gritty streets of Night City and the barren landscapes littered with debris that surround it. This vibrant, neon-soaked dystopia offers numerous opportunities for criminal activities and side quests, which might make players forget about the time-ticking flaw in their character’s personality chip.

In contrast, “Cyberpunk 2077” skillfully maintains player engagement in the primary mission. Numerous Non-Player Characters (NPCs) encountered throughout the game contribute to V’s urgent quest for chip removal to prevent death. Even side missions, such as Panam’s mission to rescue her nomad tribe, can influence the main plot significantly. In essence, events in Night City are intricately linked.

8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Desperate Chase

CD Projekt Red’s renowned dark fantasy journey follows the renowned Geralt as he embarks on an urgent mission to save his adopted daughter from the relentless pursuit of the Wild Hunt. Throughout their journey, players encounter and grapple with various challenges faced by the land in which the game is set, ranging from terrifying beasts to treacherous politics.

Regardless of numerous diversions, the primary narrative in The Witcher 3 propels players forward, consistently introducing them to fresh territories with engaging side missions. The game’s side content is renowned for its quality, offering memorable boss battles, challenging moral dilemmas, and maintaining one of the most consistently exceptional open-world gaming experiences available.

7. Grand Theft Auto 5

A Modern Crime Epic

Grand Theft Auto 5, undoubtedly a standout in the open-world gaming genre, is deservedly renowned. Its enduring popularity stems from its gripping narrative that casts players as a troubled trio of criminals, struggling to maintain their lives amidst the chaos they’ve created. The compelling drama unfolds across the vast expanse of San Andreas and the city of Los Santos, which bears similarities to Los Angeles.

In this highly acclaimed trilogy within video game storytelling, every corner of the open universe conceals unexpected delights. The primary characters, each boasting a rich collection of subplots, develop depth and complexity through their interactions with the criminal environment that surrounds them.

6. Ghost Of Tsushima

Walking A Razor’s Edge

In the captivating narrative of “Ghost of Tsushima”, we follow Jin Sakai, a samurai, as he abandons his traditional values to save his homeland from the ruthless Mongol occupation. His journey unfolds across the island of Tsushima, divided into three areas that become accessible as the story unfurls. This method of restricting access to certain territories enhances the game’s narrative, making it essential for players to immerse themselves if they wish to explore all its intricacies.

On his journey, Jin encounters various primary objectives scattered across Tsushima. These objectives are usually made accessible in groups, providing players with numerous tasks to complete and allowing them to explore at their leisure. As you traverse the island to accomplish these main missions, you’ll inevitably stumble upon a host of side quests within the game, ensuring that the progression of the story is linked to the discovery of these side quests throughout your playtime.

5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

A Tale Of Two Spiders

In the newest edition of Insomniac’s Spider-Man series, Peter Parker and Miles Morales join forces to safeguard New York City. The geographical area has been enlarged compared to previous games, featuring new districts and iconic locations such as Coney Island. Both characters have access to fresh side quest lines, including investigating the enigmatic cultist, The Flame, and aiding a reformed Mysterio in managing his VR attraction.

In the main story of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the plot is one of the most gripping yet for both Spidermen. Similar to its predecessors, the game offers opportunities for the heroes to roam the city and engage in random encounters or side quests. This setup provides a harmonious blend, giving players a chance to unwind after intense narrative missions while exploring the city.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Life On The Range

In the Wild West masterpiece by Rockstar, we find ourselves a decade prior to the storyline of its prequel, following the heartbreaking deterioration of the Van Der Linde Gang. This group of outlaws, faced with desperation, travel through various fictional states, seemingly attracting trouble at every turn. Although players familiar with the previous game are aware that their endeavors will eventually fail, the well-developed characters and captivating main storyline in Red Dead Redemption 2 ensure an engaging experience from start to finish.

On the vast frontier, there are countless diversions for characters seeking escape from the grim reality of Arthur Morgan’s gradual downfall. This troubled protagonist can engage in numerous side activities, such as tracking bounties or helping fugitives flee justice. The game is filled with multi-part quests that unfold over time, providing players with multiple interwoven narratives beyond the tragic demise of the Van Der Linde Gang.

3. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

All The Wonders Of Hyrule

Exploring the reimagined world of Tears of the Kingdom, Link encounters endless possibilities for adventure. Scattered across this transformed landscape are numerous side quests and mini-games, from the ground level to the depths beneath it, as well as on the game’s Sky Islands that float above. The innovative new crafting and fusion mechanisms offer Link plenty of chances to tinker and experiment, with many side missions providing ample motivation, particularly those notorious Korok escort tasks.

Despite the numerous diversions Hyrule presents, it is equally rich in main story content. Link’s journey to reclaim Hyrule leads him across various lands, and information about the primary conflict with Ganondorf and Zelda’s location can be discovered throughout the map. In Tears of the Kingdom, exploring the open world and participating in side quests can advance the story just as effectively as solving dungeons.

2. Elden Ring

Getting Shattered

In the realm of Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, the storyline deviates from the usual norm. Instead of a traditional quest system, it employs environmental storytelling and enigmatic clues from Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Navigating through this game is an intriguing voyage into a world that may seem illogical at times, populated by some of the most formidable enemies ever designed by FromSoft.

In this game, I found it hard to distinguish between main missions and extra activities since they all seemed intertwined. The main objective that stood out was tracking down and slaying enough Shardbearers to access the chamber within the Erdtree. These Shardbearers aren’t always easy to locate as they often hide off the usual paths, so I ended up spending a good deal of time exploring side content just to find them.

1. Fallout: New Vegas

Meeting The Mojave

In the world of Fallout: New Vegas, I find myself amidst an expansive post-apocalyptic landscape teetering on the edge of conflict. The Mojave Wasteland buzzes with various factions vying for supremacy, each gearing up for the ultimate confrontation between Caesar’s Legion and the New California Republic. As I traverse this treacherous terrain in search of the mystery man who put a bullet in my head, I can’t help but feel like I’m right in the heart of the action.

In Fallout: New Vegas, you’ll find some exceptionally well-designed side missions. These tasks guide players towards the map’s most captivating spots, where additional excitement lies in store. Even those who choose to bypass the main storyline can still influence the plot significantly. By supporting certain factions and undermining others, your actions create a complex web of consequences that will shape the game’s trajectory. Regardless of how you play Fallout: New Vegas, the world around you will evolve, with many changes subtly unfolding throughout the game â alterations that may not become fully apparent until significant events occur.

2025-05-31 05:35