Open-world RPGs have this amazing ability to capture your imagination. You start with the central quest, fired up to complete the main storyline and confront the big threat. Then, a side mission catches your eye, perhaps a simple request from a local or an intriguing object that needs examination. Before long, hours have disappeared. Those side quests? Side quests might just be the best part of any game. They regularly deliver unexpected depth and sometimes tell better stories than the main campaign. Games like The Witcher 3 and Skyrim are likable because they build believable worlds. It feels like an adventure could start anywhere.
The Allure of Monster Hunts in The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 has an extraordinary main story, but the side quests are what really stand out. Those monster-hunting missions are incredible. Each one tells a full story all on its own. You play detective, face challenging moral dilemmas, and fight monsters you’ve specifically geared up to defeat. The Beast of White Orchard quest sets this up perfectly from the beginning. You follow the trail of clues, talk to people around town, and take down a griffin that feels unique.
Look at these quests as more than just checkboxes. They’re actually constructing the world around you, revealing how local myths, political games, and human nature all connect. The actual villain often stays hidden at first. You can tell how much love went into making this world. It feels alive and exciting. The way they mix humor, suspense, and real feelings feels so natural. One minute you’re laughing at something silly a noble did, and the next you’re making choices that really matter to you. These are the kind of moments that stay with you and make you want to come back.
Mini-Games Within the World: Charming Diversions
Open-world RPGs excel at creating distractions you actually want to explore. Gwent in The Witcher 3 is a perfect example. That card game is so much fun that tournaments become your priority. You’ll find yourself chasing down cards and challenging opponents while the main quest gathers dust. Red Dead Redemption 2 does something similar with poker. The games in saloons feel true to the period. You can try your hand at bluffing, study other players’ behavior, and potentially win cash to upgrade your character’s gear. These side activities often steal the show.
These kinds of distractions feel like they belong in the game’s world. If you enjoy card games and want to explore similar experiences outside video games, options like online poker can echo that same strategic fun. In the most popular rooms, you might find communities where bluffing and reading opponents add a layer of excitement, much like in a saloon showdown. They make the game more interesting and turn just looking around into something full of fun options
Skyrim’s Daedric Quests: Divine Madness
Skyrim’s open world is legendary, but the Daedric Prince quests are what keep people coming back. The main dragon story is decent, but these side adventures are where the real chaos happens. Every time you go after a Daedric artifact, you’re stepping into some seriously weird situations with dark forces. Remember the House of Horrors? It seems like a simple vigilante mission in Markarth, then boom, you’re dealing with Molag Bal himself in a haunted house, making choices that haunt you.
Or A Night to Remember, where a party game turns into this wild goose chase across Skyrim with a goat and a ring and one very troublesome Daedric prince. The beauty is you can’t predict what’s next. Bethesda filled these quests with Easter eggs, amazing rewards, and lore that makes the world feel deeper. The main quest gives you shouts and destiny, but these side stories let you create your own path. Many have lost count of how many times they’ve played just to experience these quests again. They’re simply that good.
Hidden Depths in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 made a stunning recovery after its initial problems. You’ll get plenty of classic cyberpunk action from the main story, but the real magic happens in the side quests. In Sinnerman, we follow a prisoner’s desire for crucifixion, a story that really hits you with its themes of faith and redemption. The Peralez missions play out like a political thriller, full of suspense and mind control, keeping you guessing at every turn. These aren’t just side quests; they’re some of the best parts of the game.
Cyberpunk 2077 really makes you think about what makes us human in a world run by big tech companies. It’s all about keeping your identity when everything around you is trying to change who you are. The team behind this game worked on The Witcher series, and you can tell. Every side mission gives you real choices that actually matter. You could be fixing a taxi’s AI one minute, and the next you’re wrapped up in a heartfelt story about someone dealing with loss. Night City has this incredible pulse now. Every little interaction matters, and the world feels genuinely alive. And here’s the real win: most of those pesky bugs that used to ruin the fun are history. The game has come such a long way since it first hit the shelves.
Top Side Missions That Outshine the Main Quest
Here are some side missions that players have found especially memorable:
- Bloody Baron Questline (The Witcher 3): This quest is like a mini-story in the game. It has family troubles, scary folklore, and lots of feelings.
- No One Escapes Cidhna Mine (Skyrim): You’re stuck in a prison break that has political stuff going on. What you pick changes Markarth.
- The Silver Shroud (Fallout 4): You get to be The Silver Shroud, dress up as a hero, and beat bad guys. It’s funny, with cool radio stuff and crazy action.
- Panam Palmer’s Arc (Cyberpunk 2077): In Panam Palmer’s story, you get close to her while handling nomad problems. There are also love and sad moments.
Wrapping It Up: Why Side Missions Matter
The secret to unforgettable open-world RPGs? Side quests. They’re like fun detours that let you explore the world’s backstory and just enjoy the ride. The main story keeps the plot moving, but these smaller adventures are what give the game its unique flavor. Developers at Bethesda and CD Projekt Red totally get this. They pour effort into content that rewards exploration. So when you’re playing an RPG next time, skip the fast travel. Go check out those side games. You might discover a mission that becomes your favorite part of the game. That’s the real magic of open worlds, where you get to choose your own path, one side quest at a time.
