Writers that review RPGs usually mention lack of side quests in their list of "cons." Most folks will probably agree but I wouldn't lean too much on lack of quests as a negative. If the main story is great, what's the big deal?NeutralDrow said:
Poll: Sidequests are overrated.
- Thread starter burgbrand22
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I've played plenty of games like that and they were fun.Hubilub said:
Instead we have multiple separate linear paths. Again it's finding them, having a change to explore the environment for some obscure reason what is fun. And I don't mind some side quests, as long as they are implemented properly. In WRPGs, they tend not to be. See my other post about how they would be done correctly...
They should branch out of the main story, or even other side quests, so that the player has some context and a reason to care about them. Just making them completely random and shallow storywise isn't interesting, it's padding.
For Fallout 3, there could have been for example a quest where you find about your dad's past and possibly look for your relatives. See, some (though perhaps minor) context. That's something I'm motivated to do because it has something to do with things and characters already established.
Returning to Vault 101 was one of the few quests like that FO3 actually had. I had reason to care about that because it had to do with another part of the story.
A story tree is better than story shrapnel.
Oh, writers who mention "lack of" sidequests as a negative. I got it, now.gold_digger22 said:
And I agree with them. Rather extends the life of the game.
I'd rather see a game where the only reason the main quest is a "main quest" is because the developer said so. Throw in enough really good sidequests with their own story and effects on gameplay and you've got the very essence of a sandbox game...which I love.
It really depends on how much effort the developers put into designing them. If a sidequest is just "kill 10 generic monsters, return to town, collect reward" than yes, sidequests can suck. However if each sidequest is given its own story, or its own factor that distinguishes itself from the other sidequests (see fallout 3 and oblivion) then they can make a game so much better.
As said before, it all depends on how good the sidequests are.
If the sidequests expand on the game universe, explore the personalities of your characters, than yes I love sidequests very very much.
If they're nothing but boring grinds for XP, only there so you can be strong enough for the mainquest, then I hate them.
If the sidequests expand on the game universe, explore the personalities of your characters, than yes I love sidequests very very much.
If they're nothing but boring grinds for XP, only there so you can be strong enough for the mainquest, then I hate them.
At the end of the day it comes down to personal taste and circumstances. So I can understand the majority here that prefer having side quests. For me I just don't have 30+ hours of time for one RPG so I don't mind playing a game that doesn't feature a bucketload of additional quests. If the main story is great then I'm satisfied. That's what I liked about Bioshock.yersimapestis said:
Side quests are good. The problem is that you are playing shitty RPGs like The Witcher instead of games like Planescape: Torment. Kill x of n and take y to z quests are not good enough.
I particularly love sidequests in sandbox games that have you explore more of the world and it's story. Like in GTA IV and Fallout 3.
Well done side quests add much more replay-value and funfactor to the game. As well as depth. Many freeroaming games and freeroaming RPG's like for example Bethesdas RPG's would be really shallow without them. And I think that the Stunt Jumps, hidden things and rampages are really awesome in the GTA and Saints row games.
so no, they are not.
so no, they are not.
there called sidequest for a reason, you dont have to do them, i like to do them because the add to the overall aura of the game, if i dident do all the sidequest in Mass Effect 2, well, i would be playing as joker right now (and he can die too, if you go that far)
Side quests are there to make the world more fleshed out. Not EVERYONE and their mother NPC have to do with the main quest at all. Did it matter if you saved that little boy from the fire ants? Would that have made you save the world faster? No. It justs shows there's more to the world then just the main event happening.
Like others have said though, my previous words are all for not if all the sidequest just kinda suck. . .
I'm sure I speak for everyone, no spoilers here. Mass Effect 2's sidequest where ALL you do is turn on 3 generators. THAT'S IT.
Like others have said though, my previous words are all for not if all the sidequest just kinda suck. . .
I'm sure I speak for everyone, no spoilers here. Mass Effect 2's sidequest where ALL you do is turn on 3 generators. THAT'S IT.
If you have no side quests, there is no reason to explore. Your game essentially become linear. RPGs often try to avoid linear. I like non-linear games so I like side-quests.
I can think of a few RPGs where side quests are better than the main mission.
Oblivion? The Thieves Guild side quests and the Dark Brotherhood sidequests are brilliant, far better than the main story.
Oblivion? The Thieves Guild side quests and the Dark Brotherhood sidequests are brilliant, far better than the main story.
wheres the FUCK NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO option?
Side-quests lengthen the game, if done well they improve it as well! Case in point. Majoras Mask. Without the sidequests in that game it would be very short, fun but altogether unrewarding. Whereas if I put time into doing the (quite good) side-quests I am rewarded with the Fierce Deity Mask which is hella awesome!
An RPG without sidequests would seem shallow and short. Sidequests not only help in extending play time but they also fill in the story even more to make it deeper and more understanding.
Think of it this way, The main quest is a big hearty piece of steak, the side-quests are the salads and garnishing which turns it into an attractive-looking meal. Without the salads you are just left with the piece of steak which would still fill you up but also leave you with the feeling that it was missing something.
Side-quests lengthen the game, if done well they improve it as well! Case in point. Majoras Mask. Without the sidequests in that game it would be very short, fun but altogether unrewarding. Whereas if I put time into doing the (quite good) side-quests I am rewarded with the Fierce Deity Mask which is hella awesome!
An RPG without sidequests would seem shallow and short. Sidequests not only help in extending play time but they also fill in the story even more to make it deeper and more understanding.
Think of it this way, The main quest is a big hearty piece of steak, the side-quests are the salads and garnishing which turns it into an attractive-looking meal. Without the salads you are just left with the piece of steak which would still fill you up but also leave you with the feeling that it was missing something.
Most games tend to do sidequests very well. That goes double for Bioware and Bethesda RPGs. I remeber spending hours in Oblivion doing nothing, but sidequests and I loved it.
Side quests make the game fun,and more lively.
FF:CC Made excellent uses of its quests,giving Mail,Rare items,shops,and even Summons.Plus,I learned all about annoying little details,which made the game fun.
FF:CC Made excellent uses of its quests,giving Mail,Rare items,shops,and even Summons.Plus,I learned all about annoying little details,which made the game fun.