Summary
- Open-world games thrive on robust side content, offering players rich experiences outside of the main story.
- Side quests in games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Yakuza 5 offer engaging narratives that rival the main story.
- Titles like Fallout 3 and The Witcher 3 showcase how well-developed side content can enhance the overall gameplay experience.
Open-world gaming needs to boast a ton of content to keep fans engaged. The main story should be gripping, but this sentiment should also apply to the game's side content.
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The games familiar with this memo go overboard at times, letting fans enjoy some of the best optional content they can explore in a video game. Sometimes, it becomes easier for the main story to take a backseat as players uncover a bunch of side quests that help flesh out the world they're exploring.
7 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Unlike The Main Story, The Side Quests Don't End On A Cliffhanger
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is one of the most impressive open-world games ever made, with Warhorse Studios showing the world what they are capable of. The main story has a slow pace but features many highlights, even if the cliffhanger ending isn't too satisfying for fans.
However, the side content more than makes up for this minor gripe, with players being able to teach Henry important skills like reading and fighting with organic classes that feel more fleshed-out than they have any right to be. With the DLC, players can also experience an adventure from Theresa's point of view and even help rebuild the village of Pribyslavitz.
6 Batman: Arkham Knight
The Story Has Some Problems, But The Side Content More Than Makes Up For It
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
As engrossing as the main story of Arkham Knight was, some fans felt that the twist reveal of the main villain was too obvious, and Scarecrow wasn't the best choice as the other antagonist for this game. However, despite these minor annoyances, many players felt that Arkham Knight still ended on a positive note.
It helped that the side content of this game was stronger than ever. Players could channel Batman's analytical abilities as a detective and get jumpscared by Man-Bat in a collection of varied side stories that make Arkham Knight that much more memorable.
5 Fallout 3
The Side Content Is The Main Reason Why Players Will Sink Hundreds Of Hours Into This Game
Fallout 3
- Released
- October 28, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Any fan of Bethesda games will attest to the fact that their main stories are never the highlight of the experience. Rather, it's the amazing side content that keeps fans coming back for more, and Fallout 3 is no exception here.
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The main story may pale in comparison to the narratives accompanying the CRPG Fallout games, but the side content more than makes up for it. Interacting with Harold while he transforms into a tree and possibly nuking an innocent town are just a few of the many memorable side encounters in the game that will keep fans wanting more.
4 Yakuza 5
The Emphasis On Side Content Is So Immense That It Overpowers The Main Story, At Times
Yakuza 5
- Released
- December 8, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
As engrossing as the main narrative of Yakuza games can be, players know that these stories can also become somewhat messy. Yakuza 5 is no exception; however, players are more than happy to overlook the narrative's minor faults as long as they can get engrossed in the side content.
Players can spend a considerable amount of time engaging in side activities for each character, with Haruka's idol simulation gameplay being a notable highlight. Along with this, driving a taxi as Kiryu and engaging in the baseball minigame as Shinada makes for a surprisingly riveting experience as players uncover the side stories of all these characters.
3 Cyberpunk 2077
There's A Compelling Case For Some Of The Side Quests Being More Engaging Than The Main Story
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
In typical CD Projekt Red fashion, the lines between main and side content are blurred in this open-world RPG. Sure, players can technically power their way through the main story and take Hanako's help, but this will just lead to two versions of the bad ending that don't do justice to either Johnny or V.
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To unlock other ending paths in Cyberpunk 2077, players must complete the major story paths involving Rogue, Judy, and Panam. Doing so allows V to enlist the help of other groups in their quest to regain control of their body, and it helps that the narrative strength of the game's side content is just as strong as the main story, if not stronger.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Story Is Just An Excuse For The Dragonborn To Go On A Ton Of Side Adventures
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
Bethesda fans love the sheer amount of side content they can explore in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. The main story often becomes a second priority once players realize that every step into uncharted territory can lead to a memorable experience.
The journey to defeat Alduin is arguably not as compelling as some of Skyrim's most notable side quests. Standout moments involve a drinking binge that causes the Dragonborn to wake up blackout drunk in a different corner of the map, the quests for the game's many guilds, and the path players can take to remedy the conflict between the Imperials and Stormcloaks.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Established CD Projekt Red's Reputation For Placing Equal Importance On Both Main And Side Content
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a major success for CD Projekt Red, cementing their reputation as developers who pay equal attention to both the main and side content. The hunt for Ciri is certainly riveting, even if the final few hours of the game can feel rushed.
However, players won't mind since they'll be able to check out some of the best side quests ever seen in an RPG. Helping the mages of Novigrad escape, playing an important role in Skellige's succession, and the many memorable side stories associated with Gwent are just a few of the many optional adventures Geralt can embark on during his travels.
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