Side Activities: The Most Unique Aspect of Gaming?

Introduction

In the vast world of video games, main quests and storylines often take center stage. However, it’s the side activities—those optional, often quirky, and sometimes deeply immersive diversions—that truly make a game stand out. While main missions drive the narrative, side activities add layers of depth, personality, and replayability. But what makes them so unique? Are they just filler content, or do they define the soul of a game?

This article explores the most unique side activities in gaming, examining how they enhance player engagement, world-building, and creativity.

1. The Role of Side Activities in Gaming

Side activities serve multiple purposes:

World-Building: They make game worlds feel alive and dynamic.
Player Freedom: They allow players to engage with the game at their own pace.
Replay Value: Unique side quests encourage multiple playthroughs.
Creativity & Humor: Some of the most memorable moments in gaming come from unexpected side content.

But which games have the most distinctive side activities?

2. Most Unique Side Activities in Gaming

A. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" – Gwent, the In-Game Card Game

One of the most beloved side activities in gaming history, Gwent, is a fully-fledged collectible card game within The Witcher 3. Players can challenge NPCs, build decks, and even participate in tournaments. Its popularity led to a standalone Gwent game, proving how impactful a well-designed side activity can be.

Why It Stands Out:

Deep strategy mechanics.
Fully integrated into the world (NPCs play it).
Encourages exploration to find rare cards.

B. "Red Dead Redemption 2" – Hunting, Fishing, and Poker

Rockstar’s open-world masterpiece offers immersive side activities that make the Old West feel authentic. Players can:

Hunt legendary animals.
Fish in serene lakes.
Play high-stakes poker in saloons.

Why It Stands Out:

Realistic mechanics (weather affects fishing).
Enhances role-playing as an outlaw or honorable gunslinger.
Some activities (like bounty hunting) blur the line between side and main content.

C. "Yakuza" Series – Karaoke, Arcade Games, and More

The Yakuza franchise is famous for its absurd yet charming side activities, including:

Karaoke (with full songs and rhythm gameplay).
Sega arcade classics (like Out Run and Virtua Fighter).
Business management minigames (running a cabaret club or real estate empire).

Why It Stands Out:

Balances serious crime drama with over-the-top fun.
Many activities are full games within the game.

D. "Stardew Valley" – Farming, Relationships, and Festivals

While Stardew Valley is primarily a farming sim, its seasonal events and social interactions make it special. Players can:

Participate in egg hunts and dance competitions.
Court villagers with personalized gifts.
Explore mines and fish for rare catches.

Why It Stands Out:

Every activity ties into progression.
The world feels alive with changing seasons and NPC routines.

E. "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" – Korok Seeds and Shrines

Unlike traditional fetch quests, Breath of the Wild’s side content encourages organic exploration:

Korok Seed puzzles (hidden environmental challenges).
Shrines (mini-dungeons with physics-based puzzles).

Why It Stands Out:

Rewards curiosity rather than following markers.
Makes traversal itself a gameplay mechanic.

3. What Makes a Side Activity Truly Unique?

Not all side content is created equal. The best ones share these traits:

✅ Meaningful Integration – They feel like part of the world, not tacked-on distractions.
✅ Rewarding Creativity – Players should feel clever for discovering them.
✅ Variety & Depth – From minigames to narrative-driven quests, diversity keeps things fresh.

4. Are Side Activities Becoming More Important Than Main Quests?

Some argue that side content is now the main attraction. Games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 thrive on player freedom, where side quests often overshadow the main story in depth and emotional impact.

Examples:

Cyberpunk 2077’s "The Hunt" side quest is more gripping than some main missions.
Elden Ring’s hidden NPC questlines (like Ranni’s) offer some of the best lore.

This shift suggests that players value exploration and discovery more than linear storytelling.

5. The Future of Side Activities

As games evolve, side activities may become even more innovative:

AI-driven dynamic events (procedurally generated quests).
VR/AR integration (imagine playing Gwent in VR).
Player-created content (mods and community-driven side stories).

Conclusion: Side Activities Define Gaming’s Soul

While main quests provide structure, side activities breathe life into games. Whether it’s playing cards in The Witcher 3, singing karaoke in Yakuza, or hunting legendary beasts in Red Dead Redemption 2, these diversions make virtual worlds unforgettable.

The most unique side activities don’t just fill time—they define the game’s identity. As gaming continues to innovate, we can expect even more creative and immersive ways to go "off the beaten path."