By their very nature, side quests and other non-story related activities are considered optional, but in certain video games it doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes developers find a way to weave side content into their games’ stories so seamlessly that it can’t give players the impression that they are being punished for only focusing on the main story.
Whether it’s side content that makes the main story content much easier through its completion or players get unique rewards that can completely change the gameplay experience, there are times when skipping side quests is really unwise. There are plenty of games that penalize players for ignoring side content, the most notable of which can be found in the article below.
Grand Theft Auto
Side quests and other non-story related content have always played an important role in Rockstar’s GTA series, even if it is never forced directly on the player. That the games often feature side missions featuring characters from the main story can make completing them somewhat essential to the truth. GTA experience, but that’s far from the only incentive to participate in the games’ side content.
In just about every GTA game so far, players have been able to unlock new vehicles and weapons by interacting with the side activities of the game, most of which can completely change the gameplay experience. Sure, players don’t need feeling the rush to drive around town in a rhino tank or tear up the skies in a top secret jetpack, but not being able to do so without using cheat codes can still feel a bit like some form of punishment.
Red Dead Redemption 2
When it comes to building a world, the Red Dead Redemption series might be streets ahead GTA, with many considering 2018’s game to be one of the most immersive open world video games ever made. Much of this is due to the game’s side content, which fills in many of the major gaps covered by the game’s fantastic main story.
like with the GTA spell, red death players are not forced to engage in the side content, but it is absolutely unwise not to do so. This is because in many cases players are really missing out, especially when it comes to Arthur’s interactions with the Downes family. In fact, certain side missions are tied to the player’s honor level, which itself relies heavily on side activities.
The Witcher 3
While the writing can be a little sketchy at times, it’s clear that a lot of care and thought has gone into creating the fantastic world of The Witcher 3. Just about every side quest and main story mission is incredibly well implemented, encouraging players to interact as much as possible, if only for fear of missing out on an interesting bit of knowledge or useful weapon or item.
In many ways, some of the ancillary content in The Witcher 3 is better than the main story itself, with players who can lose themselves in it for hours on end without even thinking about poor Ciri. What’s more, players skipping the game’s side content will likely be vastly underrated and without the weapons and armor needed to make the game’s closing stages even remotely manageable on higher difficulty settings.
Like CD Projekt Red’s witcher spell, The Elder Scrolls series derives much of its strength from its excellent world-building, most of which is accomplished by players engaged in the games’ many sideline activities. Failure to do so can lead to a much more superficial experience, although in some cases it can even affect the main story.
Like the fight against the Wild Hunt at Kaer Morhen in The Witcher 3, Forgetfulness players can recruit allies prior to the battle at the Great Gate. Completing the Allies for Bruma side mission can have a huge impact on the battle, treating those who choose to skip it to a much more challenging battle. Horizon Zero Dawn also does something similar with his last fight, though recruiting all of Aloy’s potential allies makes no difference to the difficulty of her confrontation with Hades.
Cyberpunk 2077
When all is said and done, Cyberpunk 2077The main story campaign is actually quite short, at least compared to some of its peers. However, it more than makes up for it with its side content, many of which can have an impact on which of the game’s six possible endings players are treated to.
While the developers aren’t really forcing players to engage in the side content if they don’t want to, the sheer size of Night City and how much of it is unexplored by a mission-oriented playthrough in the main story can easily leave players feeling like they to miss something. It’s not necessarily a punishment, but it sometimes seems that way.
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