A side quest is an additional task or mission players can take on in video games. Unlike the main storyline, sidequests are optional and often enhance the gaming experience by offering extra rewards, lore, or fun. Though they’re not crucial to completing the game, sidequests allow players to explore the game’s world more deeply. Whether looking for treasure, new characters, or simply trying to level up, sidequests offer a delightful detour from the main plot.
Players often find themselves immersed in these tasks, ranging from solving puzzles to defeating enemies or gathering items. Sidequests bring variety and challenges to a game, making it more dynamic.
Interestingly, sidequests have evolved over the years and have become a staple in many video games, adding layers of complexity and adventure. Now, let’s dive deeper into what makes sidequests appealing and how they add value to the gaming experience.
The Evolution of Sidequests in Video Games
When video games first emerged, sidequests weren’t as prevalent as today. Early video games were often linear, guiding players through a single path to reach an endpoint. But as technology evolved, so did game design. Sidequests began to appear in more complex games, like The Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy, allowing players to break away from the main narrative.
As games became more advanced, sidequests became an integral part of storytelling. Today, they’re found in almost every genre, from role-playing games (RPGs) to open-world adventures. Some games, like The Witcher 3 and Skyrim, are even praised for their extensive sidequests that are just as engaging as the main story. These quests have transformed from simple tasks into fully developed stories, offering unique experiences and world-building opportunities.
With the increasing popularity of open-world games, sidequests have become more sophisticated. They allow players to explore various aspects of the game’s universe. Players can unlock special items, discover hidden locations, or even shape the outcome of the story, making them far more than just an optional activity.
Why Sidequests Matter in Gaming
Why bother with a side quest when I can focus on the main story? The answer lies in the rich, immersive experiences that sidequests offer. Here’s why they’re worth your time:
- Character development: Sidequests often introduce new characters or reveal more about existing ones, adding depth to the storyline.
- Rewards: Completing sidequests can reward players with rare items, weapons, or skills that make the main story easier to navigate.
- Exploration: Sidequests allow players to explore parts of the game world they might not see in the main story, making the game feel bigger and more engaging.
- Challenge: Some sidequests are more complex than the main missions, offering an extra layer of difficulty for those looking for a challenge.
- Lore and Story: Many sidequests provide additional lore or background information that enhances the game’s world-building and makes the story more robust.
Ultimately, sidequests enrich the gameplay experience, offering players more opportunities to engage meaningfully with the world, characters, and challenges.
Types of Sidequests
Sidequests come in all shapes and sizes, providing diverse experiences for players. Here are some common types:
Fetch Quests
These straightforward tasks require players to find and deliver an item. While they may sound simple, they often lead to exciting adventures and challenges. You might have to journey through dangerous terrain or solve puzzles to retrieve a rare artifact.
Escort Missions
In escort sidequests, players must protect and guide a non-playable character (NPC) to a safe destination. These quests can be tricky, especially if the NPC is vulnerable to attacks or navigates slower than the player.
Combat Challenges
Some sidequests revolve around defeating specific enemies or groups of monsters. These are especially common in action and role-playing games. The rewards for these challenges are often high, making them worth the effort.
Puzzle-Solving
Players must use their wits to solve riddles or navigate complex environments in puzzle sidequests. These quests are great for players who enjoy mental challenges over combat.
Exploration-Based Quests
These quests encourage players to explore hidden areas, discover secret locations, or unlock new regions of the game world. They often provide the most immersive experience by revealing the game’s lore and backstory.
Rewards from Sidequests
One of the main incentives for completing a side quest is the reward. These can vary widely depending on the game, but typically include:
- Experience points (XP): Boost your character’s abilities and skills by earning XP from sidequests.
- Unique weapons or armor: Many sidequests offer exclusive gear that can’t be found in the main story.
- In-game currency: Complete a side quest, and you might walk away with a hefty amount of money to spend on upgrades or items.
- Story insights: Some sidequests reveal essential details about the game’s story, helping players better understand the world they’re exploring.
- Companions or allies: In some games, completing certain sidequests can unlock new companions or allies that aid you throughout the game.
These rewards improve your character’s abilities and enhance your overall enjoyment of the game by offering rare and valuable items.
Famous Sidequests in Gaming History
Some sidequests have gained legendary status in the gaming community due to their depth, storytelling, or sheer difficulty. Here are a few notable examples:
- The Bloody Baron (The Witcher 3): This sidequest is often considered one of the best in video game history. It provides a gripping story, emotional depth, and multiple outcomes based on the player’s choices.
- The Dark Brotherhood (Skyrim): Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim opens up a series of assassination missions, each more thrilling than the last. The intrigue and shadowy world of the assassins’ guild make this questline unforgettable.
- Majora’s Mask Sidequests (The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask): The sidequests are as crucial as the main story in this game. Players are given a time limit to help NPCs solve their problems, creating an emotional attachment to the characters they support.
These examples showcase how sidequests can be just as engaging and meaningful as the main storyline, leaving a lasting impact on players.
How Sidequests Impact Game Design
For game developers, creating sidequests is an art. They must balance the sidequests with the main story to keep players calm and focused. The best sidequests complement the main plot, offering a break in the action or a chance to delve deeper into the world without derailing the primary narrative.
Sidequests also allow developers to explore new ideas, experiment with different mechanics, and flesh out the game’s world. They provide opportunities for storytelling that might fit outside the constraints of the main storyline. Through sidequests, developers can create unique challenges or explore themes that wouldn’t be possible in the core game.
Moreover, sidequests increase a game’s longevity. Players are more likely to spend additional hours exploring side content, giving them more value for their purchase.
Balancing Sidequests with the Main Story
While sidequests can be fun and rewarding, there’s a delicate balance between diving into them and focusing on the main story. Many gamers need help continuing the main narrative or tackling every side quest they encounter.
To strike a balance:
- Prioritize sidequests that offer valuable rewards or enrich the story.
- Avoid burnout by taking breaks from sidequests to re-engage with the main plot.
- Use sidequests as a way to level up before challenging main story missions.
In open-world games, sidequests are typically scattered across the map. Completing them as you naturally explore the world helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of available tasks.
Tips for Making the Most of Sidequests
Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your sidequest adventures:
- Explore every corner: Be bold and wander off the beaten path. Some of the best sidequests are hidden in remote locations.
- Talk to NPCs: Many sidequests are triggered by conversations with NPCs, so it’s worth chatting with everyone you meet.
- Read in-game lore: Some sidequests are hinted at in books, notes, or other texts, providing clues to hidden quests or locations.
- Pace yourself: With so many sidequests available, it can be easy to get distracted. Set small goals, like completing a few sidequests before returning to the main story.
By following these tips, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of sidequests and get the most out of your gaming experience.
The Future of Sidequests
As video games continue to evolve, so will the sidequest concept. With the rise of more open-world games, procedural generation, and player-driven narratives, the possibilities for sidequests are endless. Developers are constantly finding new ways to integrate sidequests into the overall game experience, ensuring they remain a vital and exciting part of gaming.
In the future, we can expect sidequests to become even more interactive, with consequences that affect the main story, branching narratives, and more personalization based on player choices.
In conclusion, a well-crafted sidequest is more than just a diversion from the main plot. It adds depth, excitement, and value to the game, providing players unique challenges, rewards, and stories. Whether gathering rare items, solving puzzles, or simply exploring hidden parts of the game world, sidequests enrich the gaming experience in countless ways.
