Open-World Games Worth Playing Just For Their Side Quests

Highlights

Side quests in open world games can reveal rich details about the game world and characters, making it feel more alive.
Games like Fallout 4 and Elden Ring feature engaging side quests that offer emotional content and access to secret areas.
Titles such as Skyrim and The Witcher 3 have a plethora of side quests involving major characters and impactful consequences.

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for immersive open-world adventures, I must say that these games you’ve listed truly stand out!

In the past few years, open-world games have gained significant popularity due to their allure of vast, mysterious landscapes brimming with hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. Many gamers are drawn to this concept. However, an open world can lose its charm if it’s not well-developed and bustling with life. This is where side quests become crucial, as they help bring the world to life and keep players engaged.

In their most disappointing form, side missions may seem like unnecessary extra content. However, a well-crafted side mission can enrich the game’s universe and unveil stunning secrets about its backdrop. These side missions can also provide insights into the complex inner worlds of the non-player characters (NPCs), making the game world appear more vibrant and inhabited by individuals with real feelings and aspirations. Here are ten open-world games that boast some of the finest side missions available.

10 Fallout 4

Cruising the Commonwealth

In Fallout 4, the expansive map is packed with additional missions for players as they strive to locate their missing son. The game has gained notoriety for its settlement system, an intricate network of side quests and mechanics that enable players to gather and construct on areas within the game. By hiring inhabitants to settle these plots, new side quests become accessible, where players are frequently tasked with safeguarding their growing towns from potential hazards and perils.

Apart from its settlement system, Fallout 4 also offers an abundance of side quests that extend beyond the main storyline. Many of the game’s most impactful moments can be found in these side quests. Notable examples include the U.S.S. Constitution, a vessel powered by rockets and manned by colonial robots, which the protagonist must rescue from atop a skyscraper, and the Silver Shroud saga, where players assume the role of a fictional vigilante while confronting some of the wasteland’s most formidable gangs.

9 Elden Ring

Shaping The Fate Of The Lands Between

In recent times, Elden Ring has been one of the standout open-world games, offering a world called The Lands Between and an additional DLC realm known as the Land of Shadow. Both realms are filled with hidden mysteries to explore and powerful adversaries to face. Additionally, there are multiple storylines to delve into throughout your gameplay experience.

Just like classic FromSoftware games, Elden Ring‘s side quests can be challenging to navigate due to their intricate and time-sensitive nature. Unlike many other games, there are no clear quest logs to follow, instead relying on players being in the correct location at the right moment. To unravel the stories of some beloved NPCs, diligence and keen observation skills are essential. The rewards for this meticulous work can be substantial, offering deeply immersive and emotional content, access to hidden dungeons and bosses, and even alternate game endings in certain instances.

8 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Hero of Cyrodiil

These days, it’s clear that Oblivion is showing its age, particularly when stacked against its successor Skyrim. However, it continues to boast some fantastic side stories. The world of Cyrodiil teems with immersive and sprawling factions for players to join, such as the notorious Dark Brotherhood and the Mages’ Guild. Each of these groups presents a lengthy questline, guiding players on their journey from the bottom ranks to the top.

As a gamer immersed in the vibrant world of Cyrodiil, I’ve learned that even seemingly routine challenges, like battling my way up the local combat arena ranks, can lead to unexpected, dramatic outcomes. There are also exclusive quests tailored for each Daedric Lord, which reward items of extraordinary power. Plus, you never know what side quests individual citizens might have in store for you, some of which respond dynamically to your actions as you traverse the expanses of Cyrodiil.

7 Horizon Forbidden West

The Undiscovered Country

As a gamer, I find myself embarking on an exciting journey in Horizon Forbidden West, where my character, Aloy, delves deeper into the enigmatic expanse known as the Forbidden West. My mission is twofold: to rejuvenate the ecosystem and prevent another catastrophic event. Along the way, I’ll need to tread carefully through the complex web of power structures among local tribes and strive to resolve an ongoing conflict that threatens their peace.

As Aloy journeys through the Forbidden West, she often encounters chances to assist nearby tribes and their inhabitants. These optional tasks not only serve as valuable means to reestablish harmony and tranquility in the region; they also enable Aloy to gain allies and friends for her undertaking. Similar to the previous game, the importance of Aloy’s mission is significant, and though she may come off as reserved, she will require every bit of support she can find.

6 Cyberpunk 2077

The Heart of Night City

Despite its bumpy start, I’ve found myself deeply captivated by the intricacies of Cyberpunk 2077. The cityscape of Night City is brimming with engaging details and hidden gems, inviting exploration at every turn. There’s no shortage of side missions to keep me engrossed in this gritty, futuristic metropolis.

As a gamer exploring the gritty underbelly of Night City, I’ve found myself drawn into the intricate narratives of key characters like Panam Palmer, Judy Alvarez, and River Ward. Their side quests aren’t just detours; they’re deep dives into the city’s shadowy heart. These encounters can be brutal, and the decisions I make have a profound impact on V and her associates. The choices I make echo through Night City, shaping its future as well as mine.

5 Breath of the Wild

Seeing Hyrule In A Whole New Light

In a truly stunning transformation, The Legend of Zelda first introduced an open-world setting, completely redefining the iconic land of Hyrule. This grand open world is teeming with all kinds of side missions, causing players to chase village rumors, unravel ancient prophecies, and even consider business opportunities during their many exciting escapades.

Building Tarrey Town, a small yet significant island settlement in Breath of the Wild, ranks among the game’s most memorable side-quests. As Link, you start from scratch to construct this city, an endeavor that is more profound and emotionally resonant than one might expect. The journey culminates in what could be one of Link’s most satisfying achievements yet.

4 The Witcher 3

Grim Fairy Tales

As a devoted fan, I’d say that diving into the captivating world of The Witcher 3 is like stepping into a fantasy tale that needs no introduction. You find yourself donning the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a legendary Witcher whose monster-hunting escapades thrust him into a battle for the survival of the realm. The universe of The Witcher series draws heavily on timeless fairy tales and fables, ensuring that you’ll come across mythical creatures lurking around every corner.

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with Geralt, the Witcher, as he navigates the intricate web of events that shape the destiny of our realm. This grand tale unfolds through a rich tapestry of side quests, making for an extensive and immersive library of adventures.

3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Climb That Mountain

Over an extended period following its debut, “Skyrim” stood out as the epitome of open-world gaming. The game’s titular mountainous region is filled with ancient burial sites and treacherous caverns at every turn, while its thriving modding community has ensured its longevity by continually refreshing its appeal through multiple re-releases.

In the world of Skyrim, there is an abundance of intriguing side missions for players to immerse themselves in. Almost every significant character in the game has a tale to tell, be it a clandestine romance or a centuries-old family curse. By assisting these characters, the Dragonborn can amass numerous rewards and potentially gain skilled companions for their adventures.

2 Tears of the Kingdom

Hyrule Cubed

In numerous aspects, Tears of the Kingdom surpassed the extraordinary Breath of the Wild. Notably, it enlarged the game map by incorporating the ominous Underworld and the floating Sky Islands, each brimming with their unique roaming bosses and challenges to conquer. Moreover, it offered a plethora of fresh side missions for Link to embark on during his travels.

In “Tears of the Kingdom”, some of the most remarkable side missions the franchise has offered are present. For example, the Monstrous Collection side quest involves Link creating sculpted statues of various monsters found in Hyrule to enlighten its people about the creatures inhabiting their world. The creators of Tarrey Town, the city Link assisted in constructing in the previous game, unfold a moving storyline concerning their farewell to their growing daughter. Throughout these two games, Hyrule has evolved and adapted, and Link stands steadfast, aiding it through each development.

1 Fallout: New Vegas

Preparing For War

In the heart of a conflict zone lies the setting for “Fallout: New Vegas“, where two dominant groups are gearing up for an imminent war, aiming to decide the destiny of the desolate landscape. At first, the main character embarks on this turbulent world in pursuit of vengeance, but is eventually pulled into the looming battle.

The majority of side missions in “Fallout: New Vegas” center around an impending power struggle. Those that don’t are still likely to influence key figures in the Mojave, potentially shifting the region’s balance in ways players might not anticipate. Even explorations within abandoned Vaults can reveal a storyline as captivating as a standalone novel. By the time the player reaches the Battle of Hoover Dam, their past encounters will significantly influence the battle’s outcome, for good or ill.

2024-08-13 16:34