Summary
Aside from the main story,open-world games offer a wide range of activitiesthat can be genuinely rewarding for players. In many titles, side quests tend to be functional but forgettable, likesimple tasks often worth completing only for rewards or XP. However, some games truly shine by delivering optional quests with engaging and emotional stories.
From side quests featuring heart-wrenching and tragic plot twists to narratives centered around memorable characters with vibrant personalities, and even unique sandbox systems that create deeply personal gaming moments beyond any quest, here are some of the best open-world games celebrated for their emotional storytelling.
Although open-world RPGs such asThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,Cyberpunk 2077,Elden Ring,NieR: Automata, andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthare known for some of the most emotional side content, they won’t be included below as they have already beenfeatured in a similar list focusing on emotional RPG side stories.
Ghost of Tsushimafeatures numerous side quests, most of whichfocus on liberating the people of Tsushimafrom the Mongol invasion. While these smaller stories often include tragic or emotional twists, they aren’t as memorable or impactful as the side stories involving Jin Sakai’s allies and companions. Characters like Yuna, Taka, Lady Masako, Sensei Ishikawa, warrior-monk Norio, mercenary Ryuzo, and others take center stage in these richer dramatic narratives.
The full arcs of these characters unfold over multiple quests, delving into their complex stories of past mistakes, revenge, acceptance, betrayal, and more. By focusing on a smaller group of characters across several interconnected quests, the developers create intricate tales and believable personalities that deeply resonate with players as theyprogress through each storyline.
State of Decay 2strikes a balance between narrative elements and sandbox survival mechanics, allowing players to control various characters with unique traits, switching between them as needed. While the game offers fewer traditional side quests compared to other open-world titles, often limited to formulaic “Survivors in Need” missionsinvolving rescuing people from zombies, its survival mechanics can generate personal, emergent stories through gameplay. These moments often feel more impactful than the pre-designed quests found in other games.
One of the game’s standout features is permadeath for every playable character. This means players can permanently lose their favorite characters based on their actions. Such unpredictable losses hit hard, leaving a lasting impression that surpasses the emotional weight of side quests involving random characters.
WithKingdom Come: Deliverance 2on the horizon, the original game remains a standout medieval open-world experience, packed with engaging and emotional moments, tough challenges, and immersive day-to-day activities. Featuringover 50 side quests with impressive variety,Kingdom Come: Deliveranceplayers can explore stories that often include unpredictable twists, ranging from amusing and lighthearted to tragic and deeply moving. Some quests even shift tone entirely as they progress, keeping players on their toes.
The grounded nature of the game’s world and characters is perhaps its greatest appeal. Centered on relatable subjects and the everyday concerns of common folk, it vividly reflects the dramatic hardships and challenges ordinary people faced during that era.
Similar toState of Decay 2,the strengths ofMiddle-earth: Shadow of Wardon’t lie in its side quests but in its innovative sandbox gameplay. Powered by the groundbreaking Nemesis system,Shadow of Warcreates unpredictable and emotional personal narratives based onplayers' interactions with orc NPCs, leading to unforgettable alliances, dramatic betrayals, and fierce rivalries between the protagonist and these custom characters.
Every encounter with orc chieftains can result in vastly different outcomes depending on the players' choices: whether they choose to kill them, spare them, or recruit them into their army. It’s a system brimming with potential for exciting and memorable storytelling. If only Warner Bros. hadn’t patented this groundbreaking feature, allowing more games to benefit from its incredible narrative possibilities.
In many ways,Red Dead Redemption 2mirrorsKingdom Come: Deliverancein its approach to creating a grounded and believable open world. Set in the Wild West, it’s filled with stories and tragedies that span a wide range of moods and emotions,reflecting the unpredictability of life itself. From side quests to random encounters with strangers,RDR 2keeps players constantly engaged with its NPCs — arguably the most convincing and reactive characters ever created in an open-world genre.
Beyond its countless pre-designed stories,Red Dead Redemption 2excels atgenerating random events with unpredictable outcomesthat can catch players completely off guard. For example, losing a favorite horse due to a simple navigation error can be a deeply personal and emotional experience, surpassing the impact of many side stories in other games.
Originally aSkyrimmod,The Forgotten Citystands out as one of the most unique narrative-driven open-world games, with a strong focus on dialogue and player choices. Perfect for those who prefer to resolve conflicts through wit rather than violence, the game features a cast of intriguing characters and their dramatic side stories (referred to as leads), offering players a flexible approach to solving them.
WhileThe Forgotten Cityhas farfewer side quests compared to most triple-A open-world titles, each one is packed with complex dilemmas and dual-layered narratives. These quests challenge players emotionally, presenting difficult choices with significant consequences for the characters involved. For anyone seeking a truly emotional and thought-provoking open-world experience,The Forgotten Cityis not to be missed.
Years after its release,Fallout: New Vegasremains a pinnacle of the franchise, celebrated for its vast array of side quests, unparalleled player freedom, impactful decisions, and unpredictable twists. Often hailed as thebestFalloutgame and Obsidian’s crowning achievement, the journey through the Mojave and the city of New Vegas is an emotional rollercoaster filled with vibrant personalities, diverse factions, and greatly written companions, delivering some of themost creative side stories in the RPG genre.
The true strength ofFallout: New Vegaslies in its rare ability to let players fully roleplay as fleshed-out characters, leading to unforgettable resolutions when players stay true to their chosen archetypes. Each playthrough offers countless surprises, previously inaccessible quests shaped by choices and alliances, and dozens of unique and emotionally charged character interactions.
