The main storyline of the game is completely absorbing. But what happens when a mysterious stranger asks for your help, you stumble upon a lost artifact deep in a dungeon, or you come across a town whose fate lies in your hands?
That’s not always part of the main plot — that’s a side quest. Optional? Yes. Forgettable? Definitely not. In this article, we’ll have a closer look at what side quests are, why they matter, and why occasionally the best adventures happen off the beaten path.
What Is a Side Quest?
You don’t have to complete them to finish the game — but they often come with great rewards: extra XP, rare loot, deeper lore, or just a refreshing change of pace from the main objective.
Side Quest Meaning In Games
A well-designed side quest can thoroughly change how you see the game. It makes the world feel alive, filled with stories beyond your hero’s central mission. Side quests give you the chance to meet secondary characters, learn about background events, and sometimes face tough moral choices.
They also help build immersion and player agency — and in many RPGs, they can even affect the game’s ending or your relationships with key characters.
Games That Do Side Quests Right
Cyberpunk 2077
In the gritty streets of Night City, side quests aren’t just filler — they’re essential. Beyond the main storyline, you’ll find dozens of personal tales, street conflicts, illegal races, and more. Many of them directly influence how the game ends or reveal hidden layers of the characters and the city itself.
Fallout
Across the entire Fallout series, side quests are a huge part of the experience. Whether you’re helping settlers, making moral decisions, or discovering long-lost vaults, the optional content often rivals the main story in depth — and your choices can have lasting consequences.
Dragon Age
In Dragon Age, side quests are more than just optional content — they’re frequently tied to your companions, faction conflicts, and the broader world of Thedas. Helping a single NPC can open up new dialogue options or shape how major events unfold later in the game.
Why Side Quests Are Worth It
Side quests come in all shapes and sizes — from quick fetch missions to multi-layered, emotionally driven stories. But they all have one thing in common: freedom. It’s up to you whether to take them on, and when.
And the payoff? Besides cool gear or bonus XP, side quests give you the chance to get truly immersed in the world. You discover new lore, connect with the setting, and sometimes stumble upon moments that stick with you long after the credits roll.