Character improvement
Character improvement is, for me, the beating coronary heart of any story. I care extra about particular person character tales than I do concerning the total plot machinations, and it is one of many causes I usually love sidequests.
I’ve already talked about The Witcher 3 — it is principally the poster baby for ‘finest sidequests’, and for good cause. The Bloody Baron is often one of many first issues individuals rave about when speaking concerning the high quality of quests in The Witcher 3, and it is as a result of it is completely unbelievable. This questline has you serving to the aforementioned Baron seek for his lacking spouse and daughter in change for info on Ciri’s whereabouts. What unfolds is a sophisticated net of the Baron and his household. The Baron has not all the time been an excellent man — in reality, he is been fairly reprehensible. You’ll be able to condemn him if you would like, and make his life worse. However the Baron has additionally been by lots of stuff, and your means to empathise is put to the check.
A a lot older sport, however one other that includes alternative and character is Chrono Set off. Sq.’s genre-defining RPG would not have many sidequests in any respect, and the sport backloads all of them within the last hours, however all of them are fairly darn good.
However one brief cutscene after restoring the forest, specializing in Lucca, is likely one of the sport’s single finest moments. Lucca travels again in time to a fateful day in her previous — when her mum misplaced the power to make use of her legs. And lots of people do not know you can really save her. Discovering a password within the dream means that you can flip off the machine and alter the course of historical past.
Robust enemies and superbosses
Admittedly, this one is a little bit of an outlier on my listing, however who would not love an excellent problem? What may most likely be thought of the bread-and-butter of RPG sidequests, distinctive monsters, hunts, and very highly effective bosses are all the time welcome.
Hunt boards are fairly widespread in modern-day RPGs — Remaining Fantasy XII is the primary one I consider, and finishing these results in a superboss, Yiazmat, that has over 50 million HP. Pokémon Gold & Silver’s Purple combat, atop Mt. Silver, is fairly legendary — whether or not you consider it as a very onerous combat or the true last boss would not matter, it is essentially the most troublesome and rewarding Pokémon battle we have ever seen. It is a excellent reward for these of us who began our Pokémon journey again in Purple & Blue, or Yellow.
A current favorite of mine is Octopath Traveler II’s secret boss, which like Pokémon’s, is just a little deal with for individuals who performed the primary sport. In some way, this superboss is tougher than the primary sport’s, however the quantity of fine-tuning, character-building, and thought that you must put into occasion composition is tantamount to victory in itself. And while you beat it? Truthfully, nothing feels higher.
Tying into the primary story
By their very definition, sidequests are non-essential. However there are lots that enrich your understanding of the primary story and even add to it. I wish to speak about Disco Elysium for this one. I may most likely choose each single sidequest on this sport, and I will be as imprecise as potential with it. However in case you’ve performed the sport, then you definately most likely know what I am getting at once I speak concerning the Cryptozoologist Morell.
There are 4 quests that come out of speaking to Lena, the wheelchair-bound woman on the Whirling-in-Rags, and discovering her husband, Morell. Kim’s scepticism of Cryptozoology, paired with my Harry’s playful flirting with the concept of being a Cryptozoologist myself, began off as an amusing diversion, however the emotional pay-off while you assist Lena and reassure her is touching. You will even get some assist in your investigation alongside the best way. It is much more than simply superb character and worldbuilding, although. I can not even speak about how unbelievable this sidequest actually is as a result of it ties into the top of the sport. You are not lacking out in case you do not do it, however in case you do, then you definately’re in for a shock.
I additionally actually get pleasure from quests that do not essentially tie into the narrative, however justify their existence due to your character’s occupation or your journey. Geralt could possibly be choosing up quests to get cash to proceed his hunt for Ciri in The Witcher 3; Lloyd and the SSS are a part of the Crossbell Police Division in Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure, so they should assist the residents.
What is the takeaway from all of this, then? Good writing is paramount. To me, it is not about what you do in a sidequest — what buttons you press, what objects you fetch, what actions you need to pursue, and so on. — however what you see within the sidequest. The characters you meet, the secrets and techniques you uncover, the writing you encounter, and simply how a lot it modifications your attachment to the dwelling and respiratory world.
I do know that will not be what everyone seems to be on the lookout for in a sidequest— and generally I additionally love simply taking down a particularly highly effective monster and getting a neat sword or one thing — however so long as I am not amassing Rainbow Slugs or 50 of a single merchandise for a primary prize, and I am rewarded and revered for my time, then I am joyful.
What do you worth in your sidequests? Vote in our ballot beneath and tell us within the feedback.
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