The Best Adventures Aren't Always Mandatory
Some of the most memorable moments in video games happen when you ignore the objective marker and wander off to see what else the world has to offer. Side quests can introduce unforgettable characters, reveal surprising bits of lore, and tell smaller stories that feel more personal than the main campaign. Sometimes, you might even find yourself spending hours helping a random stranger with their problems while the fate of the entire world conveniently waits for you to get back to work.
1. The Bloody Baron Questline — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
What begins as an investigation into a missing family quickly becomes one of the game's most complicated stories about guilt. The Bloody Baron isn't an easy character to like, but learning about his family forces you to confront the uncomfortable details behind his behavior. The questline's emotional weight and difficult choices can easily overshadow Geralt's larger mission to find Ciri.
2. A Night to Remember — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Accepting a drinking contest with a mysterious stranger sounds harmless enough until you wake up with a terrible headache and absolutely no idea what happened the previous night. Your investigation takes you across Skyrim to repair the damage caused by your adventures, including tracking down missing items and dealing with some rather confused locals. It's a wonderfully ridiculous quest that proves the Dragonborn can save the world and still make spectacularly bad decisions after a few drinks.
3. The Silver Shroud — Fallout 4
You have all sorts of villains roaming around Fallout 4, so dressing up as the Silver Shroud makes for a great side quest. You get to take on the mantle of your favorite show and start doing heroic deeds to protect the town. There's something very funny about dressing up and being dramatic around everyone who knows you.
4. The Veteran — Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur meets the Veteran and befriends him throughout multiple quests. They go fishing and hunting together. The Veteran is one of my favorite characters to spend time with in a side quest, and the storyline also gives you a meaningful connection with Buell, Hamish's horse, making the final encounter especially memorable for players who've grown attached to the characters.
5. Dream On — Cyberpunk 2077
What appears to be a routine request from Jefferson and Elizabeth Peralez soon turns into a disturbing investigation involving surveillance, missing memories, and possible manipulation. Throughout the quest, you'll find various things that hint at something suspicious. There are many ways this quest could have played out, but this one stuck with me because of how many plot twists it contains.
6. The Haunted Mansion — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
An abandoned house in Markarth seems like a straightforward place to investigate until objects begin moving and a mysterious voice starts giving you instructions. The quest introduces Molag Bal, a Daedric Prince whose involvement turns the exploration into a sinister supernatural encounter. Its confined setting, unsettling atmosphere, and morally questionable demands make this short detour memorable, especially if you enjoy Skyrim's darker corners.
7. The Sinnerman Questline — Cyberpunk 2077
This side quest could use more discussion, but overall, I'm glad it was implemented into the game. It's one of those quests that has you talking to your friends after you've completed it. It's not a normal Cyberpunk side quest about killing someone; it's about religion and sin.
8. The Mysterious Stranger — Fallout: New Vegas
When you take the Mysterious Stranger perk, a random stranger can appear during combat, take out one of your enemies, and then disappear. There's been so much lore created about this character because nobody knows who they are. There's also a questline about meeting the Mysterious Stranger as the Lonesome Drifter.
9. The Epsilon Program — Grand Theft Auto V
One of Michael's side quests has him signing up for a program called Epsilon. He gets pulled in by their website and is forced to complete quests that require money and involve him doing odd tasks. It's a great side quest to complete because you get to see Michael being fooled out of his money by a bunch of rich people who run this cult.
10. The Tarrey Town Questline — The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Helping Hudson establish Tarrey Town starts with a modest construction project and gradually develops into a substantial community-building adventure. You'll gather resources, recruit residents from different regions, and watch an empty stretch of land become a lively settlement. While Link is supposed to be preparing to confront Calamity Ganon, this optional project offers a satisfying sense of progress that doesn't depend on defeating another powerful enemy.
11. The Dark Brotherhood Questline — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
After joining the Dark Brotherhood, you get to learn about all the members and their quirks. There are certain rituals that they must perform to accept someone into their fold. The Dark Brotherhood gives you a better understanding of why its members are loyal to each other and willing to kill anyone who crosses them.
12. The Cabot House Questline — Fallout 4
If you're wondering how the Cabots have so much money in Fallout 4, this questline will help answer your question. Once you start digging into their lives, you'll notice that there's something odd about this family. The story involves a family member being locked up and something they've discovered that could benefit or harm others.
13. The Peralez Investigation — Cyberpunk 2077
The Peralez storyline deserves another look because its investigation into a seemingly respectable political couple reveals how easily personal lives can be manipulated. Searching their home and following the available evidence gives you a glimpse of the power structures operating beneath Night City's glamorous surface. Its unresolved elements are particularly effective because the game doesn't simply tell you what to believe, leaving you to make sense of the evidence yourself.
14. The Big Score's Little Detours — Grand Theft Auto V
All the heists are great in GTA V, but I feel that you learn more about the main characters when you complete the side quests. From Franklin meeting people who need help to Trevor being unhinged and Michael having issues at home, these missions reveal more about their lives. All of these side quests can give you better insight into what each character thinks and does in their spare time away from heists.
15. A Towerful of Mice — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Keira Metz sends Geralt to investigate a tower on Fyke Isle, where a haunting has left a tragic history buried beneath the ruins. As you explore the location and uncover what happened to the people who once lived there, the quest gradually becomes a story about love, fear, and the consequences of desperate decisions. The atmosphere and final revelations make it far more memorable than a simple monster hunt.
16. The Last Wish — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt and Yen travel together to find a djinn and have some conversations along the way. You get to learn more about each character's thoughts and feelings toward one another. It's a nice side quest if you want to learn more about Geralt's love life outside of his journey to save Ciri.
17. The Stranger Missions — Red Dead Redemption 2
The game's Stranger missions introduce all sorts of people, from eccentric inventors to unusual collectors and travelers with questionable plans. These encounters frequently lead Arthur into situations that have little to do with the Van der Linde gang, allowing the world to feel larger than the central conflict. Some are funny, some are heartbreaking, and others are simply strange enough to make you wonder how Arthur keeps getting involved in these situations.
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18. The Painted World of Ariamis — Dark Souls
You can access this area by going back to Anor Londo and entering a certain painting. Make sure you have the key item needed to access it. Once you're in this world, you'll encounter many creatures and obstacles that can take a while to get past.
19. The House of Hope — Baldur's Gate 3
Venturing into Raphael's domain gives you a chance to explore a lavish infernal residence filled with dangerous secrets and powerful enemies. The quest combines exploration, clever problem-solving, character interactions, and a dramatic confrontation that can feel like a major story climax in its own right. It also rewards players who pay attention to the people they've met and the opportunities they've uncovered, making the optional adventure especially satisfying for those who enjoy role-playing games with meaningful decisions.
20. Scenes From a Marriage — The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone
This quest focuses on Olgierd von Everec and his wife. There are different parts of the house that you'll need to explore to discover more about their marriage. This side quest is heartbreaking, and once you're done, you'll understand why she acted the way she did.
