What Makes A Good Sidequest, Anyway?

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 in regards to 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 youngster for ‘finest sidequests’, and for good motive. The Bloody Baron is usually one of many first issues individuals rave about when speaking in regards to the high quality of quests in The Witcher 3, and it is as a result of it is completely unimaginable. 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 a very good man — in actual fact, he is been fairly reprehensible. You can condemn him in order for you, and make his life worse. But the Baron has additionally been by way of a variety of stuff, and your means to empathise is put to the check.

A a lot older recreation, however one other that includes alternative and character is Chrono Trigger. Square’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.

But one brief cutscene after restoring the forest, specializing in Lucca, is among the recreation’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 that you could truly save her. Finding a password within the dream lets you flip off the machine and alter the course of historical past.

Tough enemies and superbosses

Admittedly, this one is a little bit of an outlier on my listing, however who would not love a very good problem? What may in all probability be thought of the bread-and-butter of RPG sidequests, distinctive monsters, hunts, and intensely highly effective bosses are all the time welcome.

Hunt boards are fairly frequent in modern-day RPGs — Final 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 Red struggle, atop Mt. Silver, is fairly legendary — whether or not you consider it as a extremely laborious struggle or the true last boss would not matter, it is probably the most troublesome and rewarding Pokémon battle we have ever seen. It’s an excellent reward for these of us who began our Pokémon journey again in Red & Blue, or Yellow.

A latest favorite of mine is Octopath Traveler II’s secret boss, which like Pokémon’s, is a bit deal with for many who performed the primary recreation. Somehow, this superboss is tougher than the primary recreation’s, however the quantity of fine-tuning, character-building, and thought it’s essential put into occasion composition is tantamount to victory in itself. And whenever you beat it? Honestly, nothing feels higher.

Tying into the primary story

By their very definition, sidequests are non-essential. But there are lots that enrich your understanding of the primary story and even add to it. I need to speak about Disco Elysium for this one. I may in all probability decide each single sidequest on this recreation, and I’m going to be as imprecise as attainable with it. But for those who’ve performed the sport, then you definitely in all probability know what I’m getting at after I discuss in regards to 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 whenever you assist Lena and reassure her is touching. You’ll even get some assist in your investigation alongside the way in which. It’s much more than simply superb character and worldbuilding, although. I can not even speak about how unimaginable this sidequest actually is as a result of it ties into the top of the sport. You’re not lacking out for those who do not do it, however for those who do, then you definitely’re in for a shock.

I additionally actually take pleasure in quests that do not essentially tie into the narrative, however justify their existence due to your character’s occupation or your journey. Geralt may very well be selecting 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 Department in Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure, so they should assist the residents.

What’s the takeaway from all of this, then? Good writing is paramount. To me, it isn’t about what you do in a sidequest — what buttons you press, what objects you fetch, what actions you must pursue, and many others. — 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 adjustments your attachment to the residing and respiratory world.

I do know that will not be what everyone seems to be in search of in a sidequest— and typically I additionally love simply taking down an especially highly effective monster and getting a neat sword or one thing — however so long as I’m not gathering Rainbow Slugs or 50 of a single merchandise for a primary prize, and I’m rewarded and revered for my time, then I’m glad.

What do you worth in your sidequests? Vote in our ballot under and tell us within the feedback.