Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the side content in Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) is nothing short of exceptional. This medieval RPG has masterfully crafted a world where every quest feels like it’s part of an intricate tapestry rather than just a random task on a to-do list. The attention to detail and the emphasis on choice make KCD one of the most immersive gaming experiences I’ve ever had.


A game isn’t truly an open-world experience if there isn’t much to explore or interact with in the open environment beyond the main plot. Many games today fit this description, such as The Witcher, Assassin’s Creed, Grand Theft Auto, and numerous others, which have contributed to their growing popularity due to their expansive open worlds.

Many modern games offer numerous side missions, but having great side quests is a whole different story. Some less well-known games, though they may not be as famous or expansive, often provide more engaging side missions. As gamers have diverse tastes, this collection encompasses a variety of game styles.

13 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

Uncover The Dark Secrets Of Cyrodiil

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

The “Elder Scrolls” series is widely recognized as one of the greatest role-playing game (RPG) series ever made, and “Oblivion” is particularly renowned for its exceptionally intriguing and immersive side missions. While the main quest in “Oblivion” might be considered somewhat unremarkable, it’s worth noting that it features exceptional voice acting. However, the side quests take a turn for the bizarrely entertaining.

In what other game can players venture into an artistic masterpiece to rescue an artist, commit a murder in a mystery mansion, or aid a ghost in finding peace? Many fans deem the side quests in Oblivion as the finest in the series, yet there’s always room for more challenges.

12 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Myths, Monsters, And Mysteries

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

Exploring realms such as Atlantis and snow-capped mountains will maintain players’ interest while they enjoy this Ubisoft game. Moreover, side quests in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey offer gamers enhanced abilities and a comprehensive insight into Greek history and the main character’s background.

From a fan’s perspective, I adore the fact that this game lets me tap into extraordinary abilities such as breathing underwater, battling legendary beasts, and achieving perfect synchronization. The role-playing aspects provide a wide array of possibilities, enabling players to shape their gaming experience based on personal preferences. The thrill lies in completing each character’s storyline and unearthing every hidden corner of the Greek realm, revealing its secrets one step at a time.

11 Fallout: New Vegas

Real Vegas Thrills

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

In “New Vegas,” though there may be fewer side missions compared to subsequent games in the series, the levels are packed with a higher level of quality. This is due to the open-world gameplay, which allows players to fully explore and immerse themselves in the post-apocalyptic setting during these side quests.

Engaging in activities such as gambling or playing games like blackjack and roulette provides a wide range of enjoyable experiences. Customization options for crafting and modifying items, variability in character reputation, and other gameplay mechanics are particularly enhanced within side quests. Notably, these aspects aren’t typically accessible during the main storyline. Consequently, finishing these side missions is essential to fully immerse yourself in the world of Fallout: New Vegas.

10 Far Cry 5

Liberate, Conquer, And Battle For Freedom

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

In discussions about side missions in video games, first-person shooters often get overlooked. However, it’s worth noting that Far Cry 5 offers some exceptionally entertaining ones. What sets them apart is the way these quests evolve independently, splitting off into distinct narratives.

These involve freeing the location from control by adversaries, which provides a unique feeling of achievement upon overcoming the surroundings. In this type of gameplay, the emphasis isn’t just on shooting, but also on role-playing elements that combine exploration and battle.

9 Red Dead Redemption

Roam The Wild West

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

Similar to other games on this list, Red Dead Redemption transforms into something unique when delving into side quests. This is due to the intriguing characters encountered in the wilderness, who provide more complexity in their tasks. Additionally, the gameplay experience varies noticeably when playing as John Marston or his son.

In comparison, the initial game’s side quests are more engaging because they offer a greater degree of difficulty. Unlike the sequel, these missions don’t cater to your skill level; instead, they remain challenging regardless of where you are in your gaming experience, whether just beginning or wrapping up the campaign.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Uncover Hyrule’s Mysteries

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

When a game is designed primarily for exploration, it’s almost inevitable that additional missions or tasks will be incorporated. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one such example, boasting an impressive number of side quests. In fact, this game motivates players to wander at their leisure and engage in activities of their choosing.

In this game, players can explore both the main storyline and additional missions at the same time. These extra missions often involve solving puzzles, offering an engaging experience that allows players to deeply engage with the game’s world.

7 Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Pirates, Ships, and Sunken Treasure

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

In the vast expanse of the Caribbean, there’s no shortage of engaging activities to partake in this game, and its side missions certainly don’t disappoint. They not only come in great numbers but also excel in their execution. From hunting whales and sharks, battling death ships, to uncovering the crypts of the Isu civilization, these experiences are truly captivating.

Experiencing small tasks such as gathering Animus fragments is incredibly enjoyable due to the open-world aspect. The game Black Flag successfully makes the modern segments captivating too, since unraveling Templar plots through mini-games enhances the quality of side missions, which many games often neglect.

6 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Epic Quests Beyond The Main Story

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

Time after time, Skyrim has demonstrated its status as Bethesda’s cherished offspring. As Todd Howard himself admitted, they continually re-release the game in various forms because fans continue to purchase it. Admittedly, the main quest might not live up to expectations, but when it comes to side quests, it tells a different tale.

In Skyrim, every Daedric Prince offers a unique side mission, towns and cities teem with individuals seeking the Dragonborn’s aid, and there are numerous guilds and organizations to join, such as the Companions or College of Winterhold. Even veteran players find themselves astonished by the game’s richness.

5 Elden Ring

Journey Into The Unknown

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

In contrast to typical open-world RPGs, Elden Ring doesn’t follow the traditional path for side quests. Instead, there is no journal, no quest log, and no system to monitor the player’s tasks at any given moment. From the outset of Elden Ring, players are instructed to search for the Elden Ring in order to ascend as the Elden Lord.

Although Elden Ring boasts a vast universe, there are relatively few main bosses and story missions required to conclude the game. However, side quests—often initiated by characters encountered during the player’s journey through the Lands Between—can lead to significant rewards such as items or alternate avenues of progress. These side quests frequently take players to locations they may not have otherwise visited, like the Tarnished Hunting missions in Volcano Manor, and are crucial for uncovering the game’s lore mysteries in Elden Ring.

4 Red Dead Redemption 2

Explore The Untamed Frontier

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

One key advantage of the narrative in Red Dead Redemption 2 lies in its relaxed pace, as there’s no pressing need to rush Arthur Morgan’s story to completion. The main missions often revolve around significant heists or events that Dutch Van Der Linde’s gang must prepare for, but Arthur is free to savor the beauty of the wilderness in between. This leisurely approach lends itself well to the game’s numerous side quests, making it feel natural and immersive for players to explore the world at their own pace.

Activities outside the main storyline in Red Dead Redemption 2 are diverse, encompassing everything from tracking down exotic wildlife to apprehending wanted criminals for local law enforcement, and even strategizing elaborate bank robberies. What sets this game apart is that each mission seems like it’s a genuine aspect of the world, not just an added feature to prolong playtime – a claim seldom made by other games.

3 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Medieval Realism At Its Best

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

Few games prioritize the side content as meticulously as “Kingdom Come: Deliverance”. In this game, players assume the role of Henry, a blacksmith’s son from medieval Bohemia, whose life is drastically altered following his family’s demise. This tragic event compels him to take up arms and seek vengeance for their deaths while restoring justice in the kingdom.

At the heart of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, immersion lies in the meticulous crafting of every side quest within the game, ensuring they are not mere fetch-and-kill tasks but organically connect to the game’s overarching narrative. Instead of dispatching Henry on a mission to gather X amount of ores, the army commander has more pressing matters, but the blacksmith struggling to meet the soldiers’ weapon demands might seek help.

Beyond this, KCD follows the principle: ‘Many paths lead to the same destination.’ For instance, in a mission, Henry may be required to retrieve gold from an uncooperative customer. He could accomplish this by persuading the target through dialogue, physically assaulting him until he yields the money, enlisting allies to overwhelm him, or stealing the gold from his residence. This multifaceted quest design fosters a sense of immersion, making players feel like active participants in the world rather than mere task-completers on a checklist.

2 Grand Theft Auto 5

From Repo Jobs To Triathlons

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

If you’re more interested in enjoying the entertaining aspects of a game without focusing too much on the main tasks, then the overall collection would be your top pick. Among these, GTA 5 stands out as an excellent choice due to its abundance of activities that can be explored with all three characters.

Activities such as managing Trevor’s business, which encompasses car-focused or airborne tasks, can last for extended periods. Alternatively, Franklin’s repossession jobs and Michael’s film promotion provide a variety of engaging side missions. Additionally, there are leisure activities like participating in triathlons, street races, underwater salvage operations, or meeting unusual characters – nothing beats GTA 5 for a wealth of captivating side activities that offer hours of high-quality entertainment.

1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Side Quests Worth The Trouble

Open-World Games With The Best Side Quests, Ranked

It’s no surprise that The Witcher 3 is renowned as one of the lengthiest games. The primary factor contributing to this is the “Witcher Contracts,” additional missions where players engage in intricate monster-hunting activities. Frequently, gamers find themselves immersed in these side quests rather than the game’s main narrative.

It’s beneficial to have these as they are essential for acquiring both experience and gold, which are necessary for buying attractive items and weapons. Moreover, Wild Hunt shines in creating enormous side quests that seem like separate games on their own. These are further enhanced by the RPG aspect, since many choices expand the missions and overall gaming experience.

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2024-11-07 10:54