The 10 Best Side Quests in Open World Games

Open world games are built on freedom. The main storyline might drive the overarching plot, but it’s the side quests where developers often cut loose, letting players laugh, cry, or uncover hidden pieces of lore that bring the world to life. The best side quests aren’t filler; they’re moments of brilliance that sometimes outshine the main questline.

Some are tragic, weaving self-contained stories that feel like entire novels in miniature. Others are pure comedy, offering lighthearted distractions from darker tones. Many provide meaningful rewards – iconic weapons, powerful items, or even alternate endings, while some give you nothing but an unforgettable memory.

Here are ten of the best side quests in open world games: why they’re so memorable, what you get for completing them, and why they’re absolutely worth your time.

1. The Bloody Baron (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

Few side quests have made as big an impact as the Bloody Baron arc in The Witcher 3. What starts as a simple job for Geralt quickly spirals into a heart-wrenching story of abuse, regret, and a man desperate to atone for his mistakes.

• Memorable Because: It’s more than a side quest – it’s a multi-hour drama that feels like its own standalone story.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Multi-part arc with branching choices.
• Rewards: Experience, unique items, and critical world-building.
• Length: 2-4 hours depending on choices.
• Tone: Emotional, tragic, and morally complex.
• Worth Completing?: Absolutely. It’s one of the most acclaimed questlines in any RPG, often cited as the reason players fall in love with the game.

The Bloody Baron isn’t just a quest – it’s storytelling at its finest, leaving players talking about it long after they’ve finished.

2. A Night to Remember (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Skyrim has countless quests, but few capture its quirky charm like “A Night to Remember.” It begins innocently enough: a drinking contest in a tavern. But when you wake up the next morning, you’re caught in the aftermath of a chaotic night of drunken mischief that sends you across Skyrim cleaning up your mess.

• Memorable Because: It’s laugh-out-loud funny, showing Skyrim’s lighter side in a game that’s often deadly serious.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: One-off but lengthy quest.
• Rewards: The Sanguine Rose, a staff that summons a Daedric ally.
• Length: 30-45 minutes.
• Tone: Comedic distraction.
• Worth Completing?: Yes – the humor is unforgettable, and the staff is one of Skyrim’s most useful items.

It’s the rare side quest that makes you feel like you’ve lived through a legendary night out – with the magical hangover cure of loot at the end.

3. Panam’s Questline (Cyberpunk 2077)

Cyberpunk’s side content is filled with memorable characters, but Panam Palmer’s questline stands out above the rest. Helping her and the Aldecaldos clan ties V to a community that feels alive and deeply personal, and completing her storyline can even change the course of the game’s ending.

• Memorable Because: Panam is one of Cyberpunk’s most beloved characters, and her quests feel like a second main storyline.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Multi-quest arc with major implications.
• Rewards: Gear, XP, vehicles, and potential ending changes.
• Length: 3-5 hours.
• Tone: Emotional, story-driven.
• Worth Completing?: Yes, Panam’s storyline isn’t just a side quest; it’s integral to the full Cyberpunk experience.

These quests transform Cyberpunk from a dystopian shooter into something more personal: a story about family, loyalty, and belonging.

4. Ghost of a Chance – Ghost Stories (Ghost of Tsushima)

Ghost of Tsushima is full of side tales, but the myth-inspired ghost stories stand out for their atmosphere and impact. One of the most memorable has Jin investigating eerie folklore, uncovering a story that feels like it could have been whispered through generations.

• Memorable Because: It feels like stepping into Japanese folklore, with haunting music and visuals that elevate it beyond a normal quest.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: One-off, but deeply immersive.
• Rewards: Unique charms and XP.
• Length: Around 45 minutes.
• Tone: Mythic and atmospheric.
• Worth Completing?: Absolutely. These quests make Tsushima feel like a living, breathing world with legends of its own.

They prove that not all side quests need flashy rewards, sometimes the experience itself is the reward.

5. The Silver Shroud (Fallout 4)

This side quest turns the player into a comic-book-style superhero. Don the Silver Shroud costume, take on a secret identity, and bring justice to the Wasteland – complete with campy one-liners delivered in character.

• Memorable Because: It’s Fallout at its most playful, letting you roleplay as a caped crusader.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Multi-part arc.
• Rewards: Silver Shroud costume, weapon upgrades, XP.
• Length: 1-2 hours.
• Tone: Comedic and lighthearted.
• Worth Completing?: Definitely. It’s one of the most fun roleplaying experiences Fallout offers.

The Silver Shroud isn’t just a quest, it’s a love letter to pulp fiction and a reminder of Fallout’s ability to balance dark post-apocalyptic stories with tongue-in-cheek fun.

6. The White Phial (Skyrim)

In contrast to Skyrim’s comedic side quests, “The White Phial” is a somber, almost melancholy story about a legendary alchemical artifact. Players must recover and repair the White Phial, only to find that even magical items can’t fix everything.

• Memorable Because: It feels like a classic fantasy tale with a bittersweet twist.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Multi-step quest.
• Rewards: The White Phial, which can be refilled with specific potions.
• Length: 1-2 hours.
• Tone: Tragic and lore-rich.
• Worth Completing?: Yes, especially for players who appreciate Skyrim’s darker, more emotional storytelling.

It’s a reminder that not every quest ends with triumph, sometimes the most memorable stories are the saddest ones.

7. Parsons State Insane Asylum (Fallout 4)

What begins as an unassuming side mission turns into one of Fallout 4’s most intense encounters. The Parsons State Asylum questline builds suspense as you explore a creepy facility, only to culminate in a massive shootout and a bizarre sci-fi twist.

• Memorable Because: The mix of horror atmosphere and chaotic combat sets it apart.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Story arc with multiple steps.
• Rewards: Lorenzo’s Artifact Gun, a unique energy weapon.
• Length: 1-2 hours.
• Tone: Dark, eerie, and action-packed.
• Worth Completing?: Yes, both for the loot and for one of the most surprising storylines in Fallout 4.

It’s proof that side quests can take you to places the main story never dares to go.

8. The Painted World of Ariamis (Dark Souls)

Technically a side area, but functionally a massive side quest, the Painted World of Ariamis is one of Dark Souls’ most iconic hidden gems. By touching a mysterious painting, players are transported to a chilling, snow-covered world filled with unique enemies and bosses.

• Memorable Because: It’s essentially an entire mini-campaign hidden behind an optional secret.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: Side area with its own story arc.
• Rewards: Unique weapons, armor, and bosses.
• Length: 2-3 hours.
• Tone: Mysterious, eerie, and challenging.
• Worth Completing?: Absolutely. it’s one of the most ambitious optional areas in any open world RPG.

The Painted World shows just how much FromSoftware packs into its hidden content, rewarding curious players with unforgettable discoveries.

9. Substory 31: Be My Baby (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)

The Yakuza series has always embraced absurdity in its side quests, and Like a Dragon is no exception. “Be My Baby” thrusts Ichiban into one of the weirdest scenarios in gaming: infiltrating an underground “adult baby” club.

• Memorable Because: It’s so bizarre that it’s impossible to forget.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: One-off quest.
• Rewards: Cash, XP, and a hilarious cutscene.
• Length: 20-30 minutes.
• Tone: Pure comedy.
• Worth Completing?: Yes, it’s one of the funniest moments in an already hilarious game.

It’s the kind of quest that perfectly captures Yakuza’s balance between heartfelt drama and outrageous comedy.

10. Hylian Shield Retrieval (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)

The Master Sword might get the spotlight, but the Hylian Shield is just as iconic. Retrieving it is no simple task – it’s hidden deep in Hyrule Castle, guarded by powerful enemies.

• Memorable Because: It’s a legendary piece of Zelda history, hidden as an optional reward.
• One-Off or Story Arc?: One-off quest.
• Rewards: The Hylian Shield, one of the strongest items in the game.
• Length: 30-60 minutes depending on skill.
• Tone: Epic and nostalgic.
• Worth Completing?: Definitely, it’s worth the challenge and adds to the sense of accomplishment.

For Zelda fans, finally holding the Hylian Shield feels like a rite of passage.

Final Thoughts

Side quests are more than filler, they’re where open world games show their soul. Whether it’s the emotional gut punch of The Bloody Baron, the comedic chaos of A Night to Remember, or the epic nostalgia of recovering the Hylian Shield, these quests prove that the best moments often happen off the beaten path.

They’re also where games experiment most. Fallout lets you roleplay as a superhero, Yakuza throws you into the strangest scenarios imaginable, and Ghost of Tsushima immerses you in living folklore. Some quests reward you with powerful weapons; others reward you only with a story you’ll never forget.

What unites them is how they make the world feel richer, stranger, and more alive. In the end, the best side quests aren’t just diversions – they’re the heart of what makes open world gaming so special.