Navigating Quests and Missions: Should You Prioritize Side Missions or Main Missions First?

When it comes to navigating quests and missions in video games, one of the most pressing questions players face is whether to prioritize side missions or main missions first. While the main quest usually drives the game’s overarching story and is considered the primary objective, side missions can offer unique experiences, challenges, and rewards that may be worth exploring. However, completing side missions may also impact the outcome of the main quest and other story elements. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of tackling side missions versus main missions first and help you make an informed decision based on your gaming preferences and style.

What are quests and missions?

Definition of quests and missions

In gaming, quests and missions are specific tasks or objectives that players must complete in order to progress through the game. These tasks are often assigned by non-playable characters (NPCs) or can be discovered through exploration. Quests and missions can vary in complexity and can involve a wide range of activities, such as combat, puzzle-solving, or dialogue choices.

Importance of quests and missions in games

Quests and missions are an essential part of many video games, as they provide players with a sense of purpose and direction. They help to drive the game’s narrative forward and can reveal important lore and backstory. Additionally, completing quests and missions often rewards players with experience points, loot, or other in-game items, making them an important aspect of leveling up and building a character.

However, with so many quests and missions available, players may find themselves overwhelmed with choices. Should they prioritize main missions or side missions first? The answer to this question can depend on a variety of factors, including the player’s preferred playstyle, the game’s overall structure, and the available resources and guides.

The pros and cons of side missions

Benefits of side missions

1. Diversification of gameplay: Side missions often offer unique experiences and challenges that differ from the main mission, providing players with a variety of tasks to complete and different objectives to pursue.
2. Exploration and discovery: Engaging in side missions often requires players to explore different areas of the game world, leading to the discovery of hidden treasures, secrets, and lore that may not be accessible through the main mission.
3. Character development: Side missions often allow players to delve deeper into the backstories and motivations of supporting characters, providing insight into their personalities and adding depth to the game’s narrative.
4. Reward and incentive: Side missions often offer valuable rewards such as experience points, in-game currency, and rare items, providing players with tangible benefits for completing them.

Drawbacks of side missions

1. Time and resource consumption: Side missions can be time-consuming and require significant resources, such as in-game currency or materials, to complete, which may detract from the main mission’s progress.
2. Distraction from the main story: Engaging in side missions can take players away from the main storyline, potentially leading to a loss of focus and a diminished sense of urgency in completing the main mission.
3. Overwhelming choice: With so many side missions available, players may become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, leading to indecision and potentially hindering progress in both the main and side missions.
4. Redundancy and repetition: Some side missions may involve repetitive tasks or gameplay mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony and potentially reducing the overall enjoyment of the game.

The pros and cons of main missions

Benefits of main missions

1. Advancement of the story: Main missions are usually responsible for moving the game’s narrative forward, providing players with a sense of progression and purpose.
2. Higher rewards: Main missions often offer more significant rewards in terms of experience points, loot, and other valuable resources that can help the player character grow stronger.
3. Impact on game world: Completing main missions can have a lasting impact on the game world, as they often involve key events and decisions that shape the environment and characters around the player.
4. Quest markers: Main missions typically have prominent quest markers, making them easier to identify and follow for those who need guidance.

Drawbacks of main missions

1. Limited variety: Main missions tend to follow a predictable pattern, with many involving combat or other similar objectives. This can make them feel repetitive for some players.
2. Higher stakes: Main missions often involve high-pressure situations, with tight deadlines and critical decision-making that can lead to consequences for the player and the game world.
3. Increased difficulty: Main missions are typically more challenging than side missions, requiring players to be well-prepared and strategic in their approach.
4. Time constraints: Some main missions have strict time limits, which can add stress and pressure to the player’s experience, particularly if they are also juggling other side missions and activities.

Factors to consider when deciding which to do first

When determining whether to tackle side missions or main missions first in a video game, there are several factors to consider. These factors can help guide players in making informed decisions that can impact their overall gaming experience.

Game’s overall storyline

One important factor to consider is the game’s overall storyline. In many games, the main missions are often designed to advance the game’s narrative and progress the story forward. Therefore, it may be beneficial to prioritize main missions if the player wants to fully experience the game’s story and complete it in a timely manner. On the other hand, side missions may offer more depth and character development, so players who prioritize these may enjoy a more immersive experience.

Character progression

Another factor to consider is character progression. Some games require players to complete certain main missions in order to unlock new abilities or equipment for their characters. In these cases, it may be necessary to prioritize main missions in order to keep the character’s progression on track. However, side missions may also offer opportunities for character development, such as through side quests or side stories.

Time constraints

Time constraints can also play a role in deciding whether to prioritize main missions or side missions first. Some games have strict deadlines or time limits for certain missions, so players may need to prioritize those missions in order to avoid penalties or consequences. However, some side missions may also have time-sensitive elements, so players should be aware of any deadlines or time limits for both main and side missions.

Personal preferences

Finally, personal preferences can also factor into the decision of whether to prioritize main missions or side missions first. Some players may prefer to focus on the main storyline and complete the game as quickly as possible, while others may enjoy taking their time to explore side missions and complete them at their own pace. Ultimately, players should consider what type of experience they want to have and prioritize accordingly.

Tips for balancing side and main missions

When it comes to balancing side and main missions in a game, there are several strategies that players can employ to ensure they make the most of their gaming experience. Here are some tips to help you strike the right balance:

Plan your playthrough

One of the most effective ways to balance side and main missions is to plan your playthrough in advance. Before you start playing, take some time to map out which missions you want to complete in what order. This will help you avoid getting bogged down in side missions and ensure that you make progress on the main story.

Prioritize story-critical missions

Another important strategy is to prioritize story-critical missions. These are missions that are essential to the game’s narrative and will have a significant impact on the overall story. By completing these missions first, you can ensure that you don’t miss any crucial plot points and that you can fully immerse yourself in the game’s world.

Mix it up

Finally, it’s important to mix up your approach to side and main missions. While it’s tempting to focus solely on the main story, taking some time to complete side missions can be rewarding in its own right. By exploring the game’s world and interacting with its characters, you can uncover hidden treasures, discover new abilities, and learn more about the game’s lore. Plus, completing side missions can help you level up and build your character, making it easier to tackle the main story later on.

Overall, finding the right balance between side and main missions is a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer to focus solely on the main story, while others enjoy exploring the game’s world and completing as many side missions as possible. Whatever your approach, the key is to find a balance that works for you and ensures that you have a fun and engaging gaming experience.

FAQs

1. What are side missions and main missions in the context of a game?

Side missions, also known as side quests, are optional tasks or missions that players can complete in addition to the main storyline. These missions often provide additional background information, character development, and rewards. Main missions, on the other hand, are the primary objectives that players must complete to progress the game’s story and often involve interacting with key characters and making significant decisions.

2. What are the benefits of completing side missions?

Completing side missions can provide players with a variety of benefits, such as gaining experience points, collecting rare items, and unlocking new abilities or perks. In addition, side missions often offer interesting and engaging storylines that can help players immerse themselves in the game’s world and characters. Finally, completing side missions can help players make the most of their gameplay time by providing a break from the main storyline or offering alternative ways to progress.

3. What are the benefits of completing main missions?

Completing main missions is essential to progressing the game’s story and unlocking new content. By completing main missions, players can unlock new areas, meet new characters, and make significant decisions that can impact the game’s outcome. In addition, completing main missions often rewards players with experience points, valuable items, and other in-game benefits.

4. How do I decide whether to prioritize side missions or main missions first?

The decision of whether to prioritize side missions or main missions first depends on your personal preferences and playstyle. If you enjoy exploring the game’s world and learning more about its characters, then completing side missions might be more appealing. On the other hand, if you prefer a more structured approach and want to progress the main storyline as quickly as possible, then completing main missions might be a better choice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which approach best suits your interests and playstyle.