While main campaigns drive games’ stories forward, several titles have side quests that help expand the universe in which they are set, such asElden Ring– and, oftentimes, side quests surpass the quality of the main narrative questline.Side quests aren’t available in every type of game, as they often require taking the road less traveled and moving away from the campaign. As such, games with more open-ended exploration are some of those that most feature side quests, whereas linear narrative titles don’t often feature side quests.
This isn’t a rule that’s set in stone, as some linear narrative-driven games offer space for players to explore secondary missions, while other open-world games may not feature side quests. Even so, depending on the game,side quests can leave quite an impression when they are well-written and well-designed. On occasion, side quests in a game can exceed the quality of the main campaign, even if the title’s main quests are remarkable. Others, likeRed Dead Redemption 2’s main story, aren’t beaten by the side quests. Here, however,Screen Ranthighlights games with side quests that surpass the main campaign.
10Street Fighter 6
Side Quests Allow You To Befriend Classic Characters
One of the games that easily has better side quests than the campaign isStreet Fighter 6, but for a somewhat ridiculous reason. Capcom’s 2023 fighting game has a special story-driven mode called World Tour. In it, players create their own fighter avatar and use it to progress throughout the campaign.The main story itself is quite a drag, and you’ll see yourself interacting with forgettable NPCs along the way.
On the other hand, however, World Tour’s side quests are what truly stand out. While the main quests are led by unremarkable NPCs, the side quests in this special story mode are led by iconic characters in the franchise. When you take on side quests inStreet Fighter 6’s World Tour mode,you get to befriend characters like Ryu and Chun-Li. The side quests aren’t spectacular, but they easily surpass the main campaign and give you more reasons to explore more.
9GTA 5
The Secrets Of Los Santos Can Be Uncovered Through Side Quests
Grand Theft Auto V, also known asGTA 5, is a great example of a game that has a strong campaign, but where its side quests shine more than the main story. What is, essentially, a crime-led playground,the game is full of secondary activities that players can engage with and learn more about Los Santos. The side quests are some of the funniest and most involving ones, as they take players to unexpected places.
Theside quests inGTA 5includeremarkable stories like the Altruist Cult, the Epsilon Program, and the unforgettable Alien Invasion mission. The Los Santos Slasher chain of side quests is also worthy of being mentioned, as it puts players in an investigative role that feels different from most of the gameplay presented across the entire game. The main campaign is superb, but losing yourself in the game’s side quests is so much better.
8Fallout 4
Another open-world game,Fallout 4, is also remarkable for its side quests. Like the previous entry in the list, Bethesda’s 2015 RPG also has a great main story questline, butthe secondary missions are what help mold out the game’s universe– specifically the Commonwealth and its characters.
This is a common trait across several of Bethesda’s open-world RPGs, andFallout 4’s side questsare truly exceptional.
The Hole In The Wall side quest, for example, allows you to investigate a secret experiment that goes terribly wrong, and allows you to learn more about Vault-Tec and its practices. Alternatively,Cabot House side quests compose a mind-boggling and nearly horror-driven story that easily has one of the strongest narrative plotsinFallout 4.
7Borderlands 3
The Looter-Shooter Shows Its Other Side With Secondary Missions
While some may disagree, I’d argue thatBorderlands 3has a poor main campaign when it comes to its narrative structure, but that is easily compensated for by its incredible gameplay features and possibilities.Though the side quests do retain the outdated humor that’s a staple in the franchise, they are significantly better than the main story quests. Some of thebest side quests inBorderlands 3offer players extraordinary optional boss fights.
Alternatively,players can see a more heartwarming side of the series. This is the case with the Fire in the Sky side quest, for example, which allows players to dive into the story of Grouse and Sparrow from a renewed perspective. As would be expected from the shooter-looter, the side quests inBorderlands 3also have great rewards to claim upon completion.
6Cyberpunk 2077
The Main Campaign Is Fantastic, But There’s Much More To See In Side Quests
Some argue thatThe Witcher 3’s side quests beat its main campaign, but that’s a divisive topic. Another of CD Projekt RED’s games that offers better side quests than the main campaign isCyberpunk 2077.By no means is the sci-fi game’s main story bad, but its side quests are just too good. By engaging with these secondary activities, players can learn more about the dystopian world of Night City and its inhabitants, from the good to the evil.
River Ward’s The Hunt side quest shows one of the most gruesome aspects of Night City’s society and tells a fantastic crime story that has V as its lead detective. Queen of the Road is also an incredibleside quest inCyberpunk 2077. These are only a few examples that show why you should engage with secondary content.
5Starfield
The Space RPG Has Incredible Secondary Stories
Another of Bethesda’s open-world RPGs,Starfield, also excels at having stellar side quests that surpass its main campaign.The 2023 title has well-written secondary activities that give extra layers to the title, not only in terms of narrative, but even gameplay. Like most of Bethesda’s side quests, these are part of quest chains, but when you consider the larger side story being told, many of them are better than the campaign.
One of the most iconic side quest chains you can engage with starts with youjoining Ryujin Industries inStarfield.This quest has several layers that include combat, stealth, internal company intrigue, and so much more. Ryujin Industries’ side quests alone surpass the main campaign, but it’s just one example of the many other side missions that are better than the main story.
4Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Ancient Greece Comes Alive With Side Quests
Like many other installments in the franchise,Assassin’s Creed Odysseyhas a plethora of side quests, but these surpass its main campaign. It’s worth noting that the main story’s conclusion is excellent, butits side quests offer interactions with various characters and stories that help expand the historical period in which Alexios and Kassandra live.
Happily Ever After puts you in contact with Alkibiades and tells you a comic story that deviates from the seriousness of the main story.The Goddess Hunt, on the other hand, grants you access to some of the toughest boss battles in theAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, granting an extra layer of challenge to the otherwise straightforward game.
3Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Hyrule Gets A Glow-Up With Side Quests
The main story inZelda: Breath of the Wildis nothing without its side quests, which is why the secondary missions surpass the campaign itself.Surely, most of the side quests are complementary to the campaign, but doing them unlocks another level of understanding of Hyruleand what happened during the period Link was slumbering.
Going through the Divine Beasts and beating Calamity Ganon is a beautiful journey, butit is enhanced so much more when you take the time to run across Hyrule, interact with its characters, learn more about the past, and uncover snippets of lost memories that involve the voiceless warrior and Princess Zelda. FindingMemories inZelda: Breath of the Wildis optional, but it proves to be a much more worthwhile experience than simply defeating the big bad.
2Elden Ring
Exploring Side Quests Expands The Lands Between
Elden Ringhas one of the best-woven stories among FromSoftware’s titles, losing only toBloodborne, but the developer obtained accolades for how well-developed its side quests are.Taking the main road down the story will prove to be one of the best gaming experiences ever, but if you take the time to explore and find other characters, that is only improved.
The game doesn’t have a traditional log of quests, so players need to take the right actions at the right moment. Even so, if they do, they’ll be rewarded with spectacular side quests, such asRanni’s questline inElden Ring.This particular quest seems like a deviation from the campaign, but it opens up one of the game’s secret endings, and it’s just one of many examples.
1The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Most Of The Game’s Best Content Is Side Quests
Bethesda’s legendary 2011 release,Skyrim, is the best example of games with side quests that are better than its main campaign. Most of the game’s content lies in its secondary missions, andmany of them, such as the Dark Brotherhood or Civil War, are much better than the main story arc.
If you’ve playedSkyrimwithout tackling its side quests, you’re missing out on most of the game, and why it’s still one of the best RPGs ever made. Many other games have better side quests than the main campaign, but these are the best, and none surpassSkyrim.
