Summary
Open-world gamingneeds 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’sside content.
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.
Kingdom Come: Deliveranceis 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 evenhelp rebuild the village of Pribyslavitz.
As engrossing asthe main story ofArkham Knightwas, 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 thatArkham Knightstill 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 makeArkham Knightthat much more memorable.
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, andFallout 3is no exception here.
The main story may pale in comparison to the narratives accompanying the CRPGFalloutgames, 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.
As engrossing as the main narrative ofYakuzagames can be, players know that these stories can also become somewhat messy.Yakuza 5is no exception; however, players are more than happy to overlook the narrative’s minor faults as long asthey 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.
In typical CD Projekt Red fashion, the lines between main and side content are blurred in this open-world RPG. Sure, players can technicallypower their way through the main storyand 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.
To unlock other ending pathsinCyberpunk2077, 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.
Bethesda fans love the sheer amount of side content they can explore inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.The main story often becomes a second priorityonce 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 ofSkyrim’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.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntwas 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 outsome 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.
