20 Side Quests That Are Better Than The Main Storyline

Some games hide their strongest writing and most memorable moments off the beaten path, and these side quests quietly carry the worldbuilding, character depth, and surprising mechanics that players talk about long after the credits roll.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The secondary quest Carnal Sins sends Geralt to investigate a string of murders in Novigrad with the help of a coroner and a few misleading clues. It branches based on evidence you collect and the order you visit suspects, which can change who survives and what you learn about the killer. You examine crime scenes, track scents, and interrogate performers from Crippled Kate’s and the Kingfisher. The quest rewards unique crafting materials and ties back to characters you met earlier in the city.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A Night to Remember starts with a drinking contest in a tavern and turns into a continent wide scavenger hunt to fix the chaos you caused. You visit temples, a goat owner, and a jilted giant bride while piecing together the night. The quest ends in a meeting with a Daedric Prince who grants the Sanguine Rose staff. It showcases multiple holds and faction spaces that many players miss if they only follow the main path.

Fallout: New Vegas

Come Fly With Me sends you to the REPCONN Test Site to help a group of ghouls prepare rockets for launch. You can gather parts, repair navigation, or sabotage the fuel for very different outcomes. Stealth, speech checks, and science skills all provide alternate routes through the facility. The finale changes based on your choices and yields reputation shifts and rare loot.

Fallout 4

The Silver Shroud is a radio fueled vigilante arc in Goodneighbor where you don a costume and speak in character lines. You track gang leaders across the city, make moral choices about their fates, and decide how far to take the persona. The quest rewards a fully upgradeable armor set and a custom silenced weapon. It also affects how certain NPCs greet you in later encounters.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

From the Ground Up tasks you with sourcing materials and vendors to build Tarrey Town from nothing. You gather wood, recruit craftspeople from across Hyrule, and watch the settlement grow with each delivery. New merchants open specialized shops and offer discounts as the town expands. The quest ends with a community celebration and unlocks long term conveniences for the rest of the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Anju and Kafei spans the full three day cycle and requires careful timing to complete each step. You deliver letters, shadow thieves, and coordinate meetings across Clock Town while the moon looms overhead. Success leads to a final reunion and a powerful mask reward that grants extended protection. The chain teaches time management and shows how the schedule system drives the entire game.

Mass Effect 2

Garrus: Eye for an Eye takes you to the Citadel to settle an old score tied to C Sec days. You can choose negotiation, intimidation, or a clean extraction depending on your squad build. The mission updates Garrus’s combat abilities through loyalty and unlocks a new outfit. It also influences a major scene in the sequel if certain conditions are met.

Cyberpunk 2077

Dream On follows a Night City political couple after a break in at their penthouse. You analyze hidden devices, chase an unmarked van, and uncover memory tampering technology. The quest leaves you with an encrypted shard and a choice about reporting your findings. It adds new messages and encounters later based on what you decide.

Elden Ring

Ranni the Witch is a long optional line that begins at Caria Manor and stretches through underground regions. You retrieve a hidden blade, navigate Nokron and Nokstella, and fight unique bosses tied to her plan. Completing the thread unlocks a distinct ending as well as rare spirit ashes and gear. Several NPCs move to new locations as the story advances, changing dialogues and shops.

Bloodborne

Eileen the Crow’s hunt can begin in Central Yharnam and continues as you revisit key districts. You assist with marked targets, face challenging hunter fights, and protect her from a late ambush. Finishing the arc grants the Crow Hunter Badge and her armor set. The outcome changes if you arrive too late or progress bosses in a different order.

Ghost of Tsushima

The Six Blades of Kojiro is a Mythic Tale that sends Jin to duel master swordsmen across the island. You track clues from a musician, challenge each fighter at a scenic arena, and unlock a unique stance technique. The final duel in a cavern rewards powerful gear and a trophy tied to the tale. Completing it also updates how some villagers speak about Jin’s reputation.

Red Dead Redemption 2

The Veteran begins near O’Creagh’s Run where Arthur meets Hamish, a retired soldier. You go on multiple hunts, learn a new fishing location, and return for follow up outings over time. The concluding event can grant a special horse and a unique trinket. The chain also adds entries to Arthur’s journal with sketches and notes.

The Outer Worlds

The Doom That Came to Roseway asks you to recover corporate research scattered across a hostile outpost. You can sell data to a black market broker, return it to the board, or destroy it for faction favor. Skill checks alter combat avoidance, quest payouts, and companion opinions. Multiple endings for Roseway’s residents unfold based on your delivery choices.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Whodunit places you in a manor during a staged dinner where you must eliminate guests without being seen. You can eavesdrop, poison food, or frame suspects to earn bonus gold. The quest tracks creative approaches with unique journal entries and rewards. Finishing it advances the Dark Brotherhood line and unlocks new contracts.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

All New, Faded for Her takes the Inquisition to the Fade with a returning mage from earlier games. You gather ingredients for a ritual, defend a village, and make a pivotal choice about a spirit’s fate. The result changes companion approval and grants a new ability upgrade. Later war table operations and dialogues reflect your decision.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

The Burning Pig begins on Fort Joy beach where cursed NPCs beg for help. You explore hidden shrines, dispel necrofire through multiple methods, and uncover a lost god’s trial. Outcomes vary depending on persuasion and which altar you restore. Rewards include a unique ring and a new path through the island’s puzzles.

Horizon Forbidden West

The Second Verse asks Aloy to gather machine parts to heal Plainsong’s land gods. You track specific machine types, harvest components, and return to complete a chorus ceremony. The quest unlocks new songs for the settlement and improvements to local merchants. Companions add codex entries and camp conversations after completion.

Starfield

Deep Cover starts an undercover operation that places you inside the Crimson Fleet. You infiltrate a station, deliver forged data, and report to competing handlers in the system. Choices determine whether you sabotage the pirates or aid their plans, changing later missions and payouts. Finishing the arc unlocks safehouses, credits, and special equipment.

Yakuza 0

The Miracle in Maharaja pairs Kiryu with a pop star for a music video challenge. You complete quick time segments, protect a film set, and resolve a dispute with an eccentric director. The substory grants money, gear, and new interactions at discos. It also unlocks a friendship link that upgrades a minigame for later chapters.

NieR: Automata

Emil’s Memories begins after you notice a masked merchant driving through the ruins. You chase him to secret shops, locate lunar tear flowers, and open a hidden underground area. The quest reveals backstory connections and leads to a demanding boss encounter. Rewards include rare materials and weapons that enable additional endings.

Share your favorite side quest discoveries in the comments and tell everyone which ones surprised you the most.