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[souvlakispacestation]

I skip all side quests I can. They're a waste of time. I especially hate the trend of making JRPGs that are essentially just a collection of side-quests/fetch-quests you have to do - 7th Dragon, DQ9, Magna Carta 2, etc. Bores me to tears.

 

[Don]

The side quests in Fallout 3 and Oblivion were better than most of the stuff found in the main quest line. For both of those games I ignored the main quest until I had finished all the sidequests and explored most of the world.

 

[Pooya]

Depends on how much I like the game and rewards for doing side quests.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

Side Quests is in an interesting topic. I had to think about this for 45 minutes before writing a reply:

I tend to avoid side quests that makes me waste time. If they don't have interesting characters that grab me or great stories - Those types of quests that usually pushes you out to the edges of the game world to "waste time" aka extend the time spent, to get more time consumption out of the game before completion. It's the type of quests you often find in games like Final Fantasy, and such.
I tend to not care about these. And it's not the rewards. I would rather not have the best weapon in the game, if the side quest is a 30 minutes walk, while killing tons of generic things along the way, in a desert.
So my contradiction comes into play when we're talking MMOs, because in that genre, that's just the way the game is played, as sad as it is. Let's hope GW2 and SWTOR can change the way we quest, and turn the side quests into hundreds of hours of great main quests.


So the side quests I do love? Games like DAO and ME2 stands very tall for me. Because they are about character development and storytelling. They are interesting, because they have drama. I have already spent many hours, killing/exploring/looting/lvling... I don't need an extra sub level of that. Mass Effect 2 in particularly, had this great pace between action paced combat and story.
Even in a dream scenario it would not have worked so well, if Bioware had just given you all the story without any gameplay - You need the struggles(the gameplay shooting your way through shit) before you can have the next piece of story. that's how their chain works. story set up > struggles(fighting) > more information > struggles(fighting) > character evolving(lvling up and new gear) > struggles(fighting) > conclusion to a story element... and so on.

There is also the type of side quests you saw in Majoras Mask. That game was absolutely incredible, because even without voice acting it gave you some of the most freaky, yet atmospheric NPCs I have ever seen. The mask guy in the beginning - the weird dudes at the ranch, the creppy old man and his daughter living in the hut engulfed by zombies... I mean... When I played that, despite characters not having lots of dialouge, I somehow made up the backstory in my head for lots of the characters, and that was fantastic. Majoras Mask had wonderful side quests. The creative and bizarre world made me compelled to explore, more than any Final Fantasy game I have tried.
Usually when I play a final fantasy game, I don't feel anything when I am asked to go out hunt for some legendary creature. The NPC is talking like a robot, and looks like a generic dude I saw 20 times on my way to the Inn - It's oppesite of epic and interesting, and just hurls meh, for me.



The answer to Side quests is not only, story/characters/atmosphere to make the player care - It's simply also respecting their time. Don't ask me to go half across the world map to open a jar, guarded by a stupid looking creature by tentacles. FFFFFUUUUUUUUUU

 

[Vlodril]

Depends on how much i like the game. I ve done all sidequests in ME or ME2 for example but one or two or none in other games.

 

[LCfiner]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I completely, 100% agree with Vigilant Walrus.

 

[Roxas]

Gold Chocobo was one of my favs. Loved the races, and had the best reward ever at the end too <3

 

[Lafiel]

Western RPGs - Always try to do as many as possible. Unless they are shit like most of bioware's recent efforts in that area eg dragon age, mass effect 1 2.

Japanese rpgs - Mmm, there was a time when i tried to 100% every j-rpg i played. But with the overwhelming amount of j-rpgs to play. I usually skip them.

 

[Vigilant Walrus]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I completely, 100% agree with Vigilant Walrus.

Hehe mate, I am twirling on my chair while flailing my arms, because somebody agrees with me! This is my greatest victory in years


I was like - "shit.. if I write it took me 45 minutes to write this, then it better be something less stupid than normal"!:lol


I know I suck, but at least I like to think I am a okay guy because I acknowledge it. I have no problem making the other guys looking good!

 

[eXistor]

Even if I don't always do most of them, an rpg is not complete without sidequests. It's nice to know I can always go back to a game knowing there's still stuff to do. Truth be told, I never actually do that, but still.

 

[Rad-]

Baldur's Gate 2 has to this date the best side quests imo. Many of them are big unique areas with hours of gameplay.

 

[Minsc]

Yet another great thing about The Witcher. Not only does it get rid of the black & white good/evil options to dialogs and replace them with shades of gray, half the time you don't even know what is the main quest and what isn't so you're never really sure if you're doing a side quest or not (apart from the blatantly obvious delivery side-quests).

It's rather liberating and also anti-completionist at the same time, because you sorta just pick whatever quests you feel like doing, and if they advance the game's story line, great, if not, you just get to pick another one.

I always do side quests first until I get bored of the game's combat/leveling system.

 

[Domstercool]

Suikoden is full of side quests, and you get characters as rewards

 

[truly101]

Take 'em. They usually help flesh out the world and the characters, and the fact that they are not essential means you can skip them if you can't be bothered. I also love sidequests that net you super weapons or spells that ruin the final boss. I DESERVED KOTR after doing the chocobo breeding and racing and I used it all the time against bosses. BWAHHAHAHA!

 

[biocat]

If the side quests require a lot of back and forth between locations, I say leave 'em.
Xenoblade's side quests are one of the first I've actually enjoyed doing. Largely it's because side quests rarely require you to return to the quest giver. Also the combat is fun.

Really, Xenoblade just all around rocks.

 

[mclem]

holy shit at those TALES games ..holy shit at those side quest. Miss one and your fucked. Had to do a 6 time play over

Out of interest - since I'm about two-thirds of the way through my first ToV playthrough, and toying with the idea of another - does a FAQ exist along the lines of "Don't X until you've done Y", where X and Y are described in the vagues terms possible? I spotted a mention of having to stay in an inn something like four times in a row to see all the sidequest triggers, and that's nothing I'm likely to do realistically.

I like sidequests where the existence of the sidequest is clear but the exact steps aren't obvious but can be reasonably figured out; I dislike side effects where the only *real* way you can progress is by trying to do everything at every possible stage before progressing; that's the RPG equivalent of "Use every item in your inventory on everything onscreen until something works", and it *sucks*.

While your mileage may vary on whether it quite counts as an RPG, I'd have to say that Anju & Kafei in Majora's Mask is, to this day, my favourite sidequest ever.

 

[Effect]

If it's an actual storyline and not a kill task I usually like doing them. However I would at least like to known what I'm doing will stick. That's more likely in JRPGs I've found. However there was one side quest in Fallout 3 that bothered me. The one were you help out this one village defend itself from mutants. Even if you do if you can go back later everyone could still end up dead. All that work for nothing bothers me. Then again while a great game a number of things bothered me in FO3 but this is the one that really stood out to me.

 

[ScrabbleDude]

I used to do all of the side quests in a game when I was younger because I didn't get very many games. Side quests were very important to me.

Now they end up being the reason I don't finish a lot of games. I get hung up on side quests and then the next games comes along.

I really like them in games like Etrian Odyssey because they put a little framework around the grinding I was going to do anyway.

 

[Stahsky]

If i'm not having as much fun as I hoped I would, I'll just burn through the story. If I'm having a blast the whole way through, I'll attempt to make it last with sidequesting.

 

[NIN90]

BG2 had great sidequests.

 

[gdt]

If i'm not having as much fun as I hoped I would, I'll just burn through the story. If I'm having a blast the whole way through, I'll attempt to make it last with sidequesting.

Yeah, sounds right.

 

[Brinbe]

Fuck yes, the more the better.

 

[mclem]

Something I forgot to mention: One thing I like about sidequests is they help to flesh out the world, even the dull ones. That is, I've noticed that games that are light on sidequests - say, the original Final Fantasy, for instance - does tend to feel like the entire world is basically built *specifically* for the main quest. Of course, it is, but hiding that fact makes the world feel a little bit more real.

This is a reason why I tend to prefer the more freeform RPGs (many western ones, but I'd include the first Dragon Quest among those) because they aren't quite so much a well-disguised corridor.

I think possibly the worst I've played in that regard is FFX, which really *is* a well-disguised corridor. I suspect - from what I've heard, but I've played neither - I'll feel the same about FFXIII, while finding FFXII a pleasant change.

 

[King Chozo]

Helps you grind your character levels up and usually rewards you with some sort of items or upgrades so yes, I definitely do side quests.

 

[Shahadan]

Last Remnant is almost entirely composed of sidequests. They are fun, no main story in them (which is a plus considering how bad it is) but a lot of side story or lore.
And the rewards are pretty good. If you do all of them it also rewards you with an unbeatable final boss !

 

[Grzi]

I always do them all.

Spoiler

And I hate myself for it.

 

[Freakinchair]

FFXIII is probably the perfect example of why side quests are a good thing. I felt the game got a billion times better once I hit chapter 10(?) and it opened up the only sidequest in the game. The side quests in Chrono Trigger were also pretty amazing - especially if you're the kind of dude who likes to collect all of the best equipment before the end.

 

[Espada]

I'm definitely for side quests. Without fail the games that have few or no sidequests wind up feeling very barebones, not something I want to feel when I'm engrossed in a particular world. Typically they're used to present side stories on top of getting nice goodies, so the world is fleshed out some more, and you get to access new areas and level up too.

FFVII and FFXII are some of my favorite FFs in part because of the sidequests.

I think possibly the worst I've played in that regard is FFX, which really *is* a well-disguised corridor.

Wow, this is pretty much my position on FFX. It felt so damn restrictive.

 

[Green Mamba]

I think possibly the worst I've played in that regard is FFX, which really *is* a well-disguised corridor. I suspect - from what I've heard, but I've played neither - I'll feel the same about FFXIII, while finding FFXII a pleasant change.

FFXIII is a corridor alright, but it is not well disguised.

 

[The Super Bob]

Depends on the RPG. I liked the side quests in Dragon Age, loved those from Morrowind and Oblivion. Mass Effect 2 did a pretty good job too.

It usually depends on what the reward is for side questions and how well they are done.

 

[Rahxephon91]

FFXIII is a corridor alright, but it is not well disguised.

How? The levels are just like FFX, but bigger.

Anyway, I tend to not do a bunch of sidequests in my jrpgs. I'll do a few here in there, but for the most part no. I usually skip FF's sidequests on the first playthroughs.

Though recently I have done more sidequests in wrpgs. Mostly because they tend to be better intergrated and I know how to carry them out.

 

[manueldelalas]

I'll do sidequests as long as:
- There is a finite and reasonable number of them in the game.
- They are not influenced by parameters outside of the game (like date, time of the day, weather, etc, fuck that shit, I can't play all day).
- They are possible to do by the time they give the quest to you without needing to advance in the game to do them (Fuck the DQIX system where they give you impossible quests at the beginning).
- They are related to someone in the game (I mean someone has to congratulate me for doing the shit) and not some random shit developers throw at you.

So, DQIX quest system is a no-no (they are fun, but quest limits + giving big quests too early + etc ruins it for me), Tales of the Innocence is as shitty as a quest system can get (infinite, random, repetitive, pointless quests).

I loved Nostalgia quest system, for example, or in Zelda games (most of them, treasure hunting and maps in WW sucked big time).

Also, I don't care much for the reward, because I use quests to train and power-up my characters, but the reward for completing them all and the most difficult quests must be a good one.

 

[NemesisPrime]

I take them when they seem interesting. Sounds logical no?

 

[Timber]

i live for this shit

 

[Green Mamba]

How? The levels are just like FFX, but bigger.

FFX has a few explorable towns (as small and infrequent as they are), lots of people to talk to, the temple cloisters, and a few maze like dungeons, all of which certainly help disguise it a bit. FFXIII has nothing of the sort outside of Chapter 11, which is mostly just a bigger Calm Lands.

 

[Champomade]

Spending time in the Golden Saucer and racing with my chocobo was so great when I was a kid...
Side quest done right (Suikoden II (cooking contest, etc.), FFIX, etc.) are the best thing ever in an RPG

 

[DarkPanda]

Always. I'm a completionist, so I always go for 100% (when possible in a single playthrough), plus I like to get as much playtime out of games as I can. Sidequests let me do both. Plus, they're where most of the EXP is. Special sidequest dungeons, especially when they're available before the post-game, are my favorite. They make the game world seem larger and more alive, and they usually have pretty good rewards.

Xenoblade's side quests are one of the first I've actually enjoyed doing. Largely it's because side quests rarely require you to return to the quest giver. Also the combat is fun.

Really, Xenoblade just all around rocks.

Stop taunting me. :-(

 

[djtiesto]

Depends... I like the old 16 bit games and their sidequests - they usually had an interesting dungeon to explore, and a cool reward... whether it be a summon spell or some more character backstory. FF4-6 and Chrono Trigger had some fantastic sidequests.

Ever since FF7 though, there has been so many annoying collectathon, "bring me 10 drops from monster X", other miscellaneous ridiculous stuff (dodge 100 thunderbolts will forever be the lowest of the low when it comes to RPG sidequests)... I try to do as much as possible due to OCD but there is a point where I say "enough is enough!".

The best kinds of sidequests are like:
-ones that tie up a few loose ends with the story (Illusion of Gaia, DQ4, DQ8)
-optional dungeons and cool puzzles (Wild Arms series is good with this)
-challenging post-game content (Valkyrie Profile, some Star Ocean postgame stuff)
-ones that reward you with character backstory

 

[rush777]

If I really enjoy the gameplay or the game I try to do as much as I can. It can be dangerous for example, I was playing through Tales Of Vesperia doing everything possible, about 3/4 through I was burnt out and I never finished it.

 

[GeorgioCostanzaX]

Only if they're fun and give a tangible reward.

This is true. Not really an RPG but the Biggoron sword side quest in Zelda OOT is probably the best example. FFVII and materia quests for summons via Chocobo breeding is another.

 

[MedIC86]

Depends on the game really, sometimes i cant be arsed. but some games i want to complete as good as possible.

 

[Yeef]

It depends on how compelling the game is. I'm playing through The Witcher right now and doing everything because I find the characters and the world to be interesting. When I played Mass Effect 1 I found pretty much all of the characters (other than Wrex) to be pretty boring and few of the side quests interested me, so I ignored them.

 

[Akuun]

Depends on how much the designers put into it. If it feels genuinely interesting or important, gives some interesting insight into a character or the world, or rewards you with a rare and useful item, then sure.

But if I'm being randomly asked to save someone's kitten or help someone buy their groceries, then no, I can't say I'm interested.

 

[Decado]

In an excellent RPG side quests are as interesting as the main quest (even more so in some ways). Sometimes they are interconnected.

I refer to PC style RPGs, of course. Side quests in console RPGs are a complete waste of time.

 

[Glix]

If its a good game, yes.

If its not, probably no.

This.

 

[Sagitario]

... Tales of the Innocence is as shitty as a quest system can get (infinite, random, repetitive, pointless quests).

And yet here I'm doing the freaking guild quests, only 50% done and with 40 hours registered on the clock :lol

 

[Adamm]

If its a good game, yes.

If its not, probably no.

This