Best RPG Side Quests That Were Better Than the Main Story

When the Side Quest Becomes the Main Event

Let’s be honest—sometimes the best part of an RPG isn’t the “chosen one saves the world” storyline. It’s the weird detour you stumbled into while ignoring the main quest marker. Side quests give developers space to experiment, explore darker themes, or let characters breathe in ways the main story doesn’t. And in some cases? The side quest ultimately proves more memorable than the epic campaign it was attached to.

Here are the RPG side quests that outshone the main story—the missions gamers still talk about years later.

1. The Bloody Baron — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt’s journey to find Ciri is epic, but nothing in The Witcher 3 hits as hard as the Bloody Baron’s story. What starts as a drunken noble hiring you to find his missing family unravels into a gut-wrenching tale of abuse, loss, and redemption. Your choices ripple into the Baron’s fate, leaving players haunted. It’s not just a side quest—it’s a masterpiece of interactive storytelling.

2. The Dark Brotherhood — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Yes, saving the world from Alduin the dragon is cool. But nothing in Skyrim rivals the sinister thrill of joining the Dark Brotherhood. From assassinating contracts to infiltrating parties, the Brotherhood’s arc feels like a game within the game. The twists, betrayals, and executions are so compelling that many players spent more time in the shadows than on the main quest.

3. Come Fly With Me — Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout side quests are always quirky, but Come Fly With Me takes the crown. You stumble upon a group of ghouls who want to launch themselves into space as part of a bizarre cult. What follows is part comedy, part tragedy, depending on how you handle it. It’s weird, heartfelt, and infinitely more memorable than New Vegas’ power struggle politics.

4. Loyalty Missions — Mass Effect 2

The Reapers are scary, but let’s be real: the heart of Mass Effect 2 lies in the loyalty missions. From Mordin’s confrontation with the genophage to Thane’s heartbreaking family moment, each mission deepens your bond with your crew. They’re not just side content—they decide who lives and dies in the suicide mission. That’s side quest stakes on a galactic scale.

5. The Painted World of Ariamis — Dark Souls

Hidden away inside a painting in Anor Londo, the Painted World is a self-contained side quest that feels like a dark fairytale. It’s eerie, mysterious, and dripping with lore. Meeting Priscilla and deciding her fate adds layers of moral ambiguity, making it a standout moment in a game already famous for its atmosphere.

6. The Silver Shroud — Fallout 4

Donning a 1940s pulp superhero costume and fighting crime in post-apocalyptic Boston? Yes, please. The Silver Shroud questline lets you roleplay as a vigilante, complete with cheesy dialogue and noir aesthetics. It’s campy, hilarious, and far more fun than slogging through the Institute storyline.

7. The Quest for BioWare’s Companions — Dragon Age: Inquisition

While Inquisition’s main plot can feel bloated, the companion quests are where the game shines. From helping Iron Bull choose between loyalty to his people or friendship with the Inquisition, to watching Blackwall’s tragic past unravel, these side stories carry the emotional punch. The main narrative may be about saving Thedas, but the companions are what players truly remember.

8. The Ghost of Tsushima: Yuna’s Tale

Jin Sakai’s war against the Mongols is epic, but the side questlines involving Yuna and her brother Taka hit harder emotionally. Watching Taka’s fate unfold and seeing Yuna’s grief adds weight and intimacy that the larger war story sometimes lacks. It’s a reminder that personal stakes often feel bigger than global ones.

9. Hearts of Stone — The Witcher 3 Expansion

Technically an expansion, but often praised as a side adventure, Hearts of Stone introduced one of the greatest villains in RPG history: Gaunter O’Dimm. His Faustian bargains, eerie powers, and unforgettable wedding sequence make this questline as good—if not better—than the main Witcher narrative. It’s basically Witcher 4 hidden inside DLC.

10. Stranger Missions — Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur Morgan’s main story is already incredible, but the Stranger missions bring the world of RDR2 to life in surprising ways. From helping a snake oil salesman scam townsfolk to encountering a vampire in Saint Denis, these stories show the weird, tragic, and hilarious sides of the Old West. They give texture that makes the main story feel richer.

Conclusion: The Detour Is the Real Adventure

The best side quests remind us that RPGs are about more than saving the world. They’re about the people you meet, the small tragedies and triumphs, and the weird adventures you didn’t expect. These quests prove that sometimes ignoring the main quest marker leads to the stories we’ll never forget.

Poll Question: Which RPG side quest stuck with you more than the main story?