Introduction
In video games, not all stories are told through the main questline. While the primary narrative often drives the plot forward, it’s the side quests—those optional, sometimes hidden adventures—that add depth and richness to a game.
Side quests might involve helping a villager with a personal problem, discovering a hidden area, or uncovering lore through small interactions. These smaller stories are often where games show their true creativity, offering players a chance to explore, experiment, and engage with the game world on a more personal level.
But side quests are more than just extra content—they are essential to building immersive experiences. They provide emotional depth, expand world-building, and offer rewards that make the journey more enjoyable. Let’s dive into why side quests matter so much and how they transform massive games into unforgettable adventures.
The Role of Side Quests in Game Design
Side quests are purposefully designed to offer freedom, choice, and discovery. Game developers use them to:
1. Enhance World-Building
- • Side quests flesh out the game world, providing backstories, lore, and context that main quests might not explore.
- • They introduce secondary characters, local histories, and unique cultures, adding layers to the narrative.
For example, in Skyrim, the side quests from the Dark Brotherhood or Thieves Guild offer entirely new story arcs, giving the player a sense of belonging in different parts of the world.
2. Provide Player Freedom
- • Side quests create a sense of agency, allowing players to choose their own path.
- • They offer opportunities to take a break from intense main quests, often providing a different pace and tone.
In The Witcher 3, players can wander off the main path to hunt monsters, help townspeople, or uncover ancient ruins, all contributing to Geralt’s character development and the world’s realism.
3. Experiment with Game Mechanics
- • Developers often use side quests to introduce new gameplay elements, such as puzzles, combat challenges, or stealth mechanics.
- • They serve as a testing ground for creative ideas, some of which may not fit into the main storyline.
For instance, in Zelda: Breath of the Wild, many shrine quests are essentially mini-games and puzzles, showcasing the game’s physics engine and exploration mechanics.
By integrating optional quests, developers allow players to explore the game’s full potential—without feeling forced.
Immersive Storytelling Through Side Quests
While main quests often focus on epic battles and world-altering events, side quests explore more personal, sometimes quieter stories. These narratives usually leave a lasting impression on players.
1. The Bloody Baron (The Witcher 3)
This side quest is widely regarded as one of the best-written stories in gaming. It delves into the dark themes of family, abuse, and redemption, showing how a single side quest can deliver emotional complexity, rivaling the entire main plot.
2. The Silver Shroud (Fallout 4)
This quest lets players become a comic book vigilante, blending role-playing with humor and lore. It’s a fun diversion that also deepens the world-building of post-apocalyptic Boston.
3. Oxenfree’s Hidden Frequencies
In Oxenfree, tuning a radio into hidden frequencies can unlock secret messages and alternate story elements. This side quest enhances the eerie atmosphere and rewards players who pay attention to small details.
4. Shrine Quests (Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
While the main story is focused on defeating Calamity Ganon, shrine quests offer players dozens of unique challenges, each with mini-stories and clever puzzles. These quests encourage exploration and creativity, often leading to unexpected discoveries.
5. The Heart-Wrenching Side Quests of Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s open-world masterpiece features many side quests where players meet strangers with compelling stories. From helping a widow learn to hunt to encountering mysterious supernatural events, these small stories contribute to the game’s immersive Western setting.
These examples show how side quests are often where developers experiment with narrative and gameplay, creating intimate experiences within expansive worlds.
The Reward Systems of Side Quests
Side quests don’t just enrich storytelling—they also provide tangible rewards that enhance gameplay.
1. Unique Items & Gear
- • Completing side quests often unlocks special weapons, armor, or items unavailable elsewhere.
- • These rewards can significantly alter gameplay, offering new abilities or strategic advantages.
For example, in Dark Souls, completing certain side quests can lead to rare weapons or unique endings, giving replay value to the game.
2. Skills & Abilities
- • Some side quests allow players to unlock new skills or enhance character stats, strengthening them for main story challenges.
- • This is particularly true in RPGs like Horizon Zero Dawn, where side missions offer skill points and crafting resources.
3. Hidden Lore & Easter Eggs
- • Many side quests are filled with hidden lore and secrets, rewarding players with insight into the game world’s history and mysteries.
- • These discoveries often lead to fan theories and extended community engagement.
In Elden Ring, exploring off the main path often reveals cryptic messages, hidden dungeons, and stories contributing to FromSoftware’s enigmatic world-building style.
By offering unique rewards, side quests motivate exploration and balance the game’s pacing and progression.
Why Skipping Side Quests Means Missing Out
While rushing through the main storyline is tempting, skipping side quests can lead to missed opportunities and lost content.
1. Lost Story Elements & Character Development
- • Many games use side quests to flesh out characters’ backstories and add emotional weight to the main plot.
- • Missing these quests can result in underdeveloped character arcs and a less immersive experience.
2. Missed Easter Eggs & Secrets
- • Side quests often contain clever Easter eggs and hidden references that fans love discovering.
- • These secrets contribute to the game’s legacy and community discussions, enriching the player experience beyond the game itself.
3. Hidden Endings & Alternate Outcomes
- • Some games offer alternative endings or secret cutscenes that are only accessible through side quests.
- • For example, in Mass Effect, completing specific side missions can significantly change the game’s ending, showcasing the impact of every choice.
Skipping side quests means missing out on the game’s full potential, leaving stories untold and rewards unclaimed.
Conclusion
Side quests are not merely filler content—they are an integral part of game design, providing depth, variety, and richness to the overall experience. Through emotional storytelling, unique rewards, and immersive exploration, side quests transform large games into vivid, living worlds.
The next time you play a game, take a detour, help a stranger, explore a hidden cave, and dive into those small stories. You might find that the most memorable moments aren’t from the main quest at all, but from the unexpected adventures along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What makes side quests different from main quests?
Side quests are optional missions that offer additional stories, challenges, and rewards, often unrelated to the main storyline.
- Do side quests affect the main game?
In many games, side quests can influence the main plot, unlock new content, or even alter the game’s ending.
- What are the benefits of completing side quests?
Players can earn unique items, experience points, hidden lore, and extended gameplay.
- Can side quests change the outcome of a game?
Yes, especially in choice-driven RPGs, where completing side quests can lead to different endings or character outcomes.
- Are side quests worth the time investment?
Absolutely! They enhance storytelling, provide unique rewards, and offer valuable insights into the game’s world.
