Cities With the Best Side Missions

In the realm of video gaming, side missions have become a hallmark of robust game design, providing players with opportunities to explore, interact, and immerse themselves beyond the primary storyline. Certain cities in video games stand out for their abundance and quality of side missions, offering players unique challenges, enriching lore, and memorable experiences. Here we delve into some of the cities renowned for their engaging side missions, presenting a mix of worlds that range from fantastical to realistic.

1. Open World Adventures in Los Santos

Los Santos, as portrayed in Grand Theft Auto V, is a bustling metropolis packed with side missions that expose players to the diverse tapestry of urban life. From quirky encounters to elaborate heists, Los Santos boasts a plethora of activities that can be embarked on after the main story concludes. Side missions range from participating in street races, engaging in various heists, or even helping NPCs solve their personal dilemmas. The vibrant atmosphere and attention to detail in side missions make Los Santos a playground worth exploring.

2. The Lively Streets of New Donk City

In Super Mario Odyssey, New Donk City transcends traditional Mario landscapes. This vibrant city brimming with life features a variety of side missions, including challenges involving platforming through its urban architecture and collecting power moons. Players can delve into musical journeys, interact with various characters, and complete quests that unveil the city’s rich culture and history. The integration of vibrant music, diverse challenges, and an unforgettable environment makes New Donk City a memorable locale for side mission enthusiasts.

3. Mystical Side Quests in Hyrule

The vast kingdoms of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda series, especially in Breath of the Wild, provide players with nearly infinite side missions that range from helping villagers to uncovering ancient mysteries. Players can explore shrines, engage with various characters, and embark on quests that reveal backstory elements and enhance the game’s world-building. The compelling nature of these side missions, complemented by stunning landscapes and the free exploration model, ensures that no player’s journey through Hyrule is ever the same.

4. The Underbelly of Kanto

In Pokémon games, the Kanto region introduces players to a rich world ripe with side missions that reinforce the Pokémon experience. From battling trainers across a myriad of challenges to solving puzzles within hidden caves, Kanto is packed with opportunities to expand your Pokémon journey. Side missions often unravel hidden stories about legendary Pokémon or the environment, enhancing both gameplay and the lore of the Pokémon universe. Not only are these side missions fun, but they also serve to deepen the player's understanding of each character's significance.

5. The Gritty Depths of Night City

CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 takes players into the neon-lit, dystopian universe of Night City, where side missions are as rich as the main narrative. The game features a myriad of side quests that allow players to engage with the sprawling world, deepen relationships with characters, and uncover hidden secrets. From the engaging stories tied with character arcs to the morally complex decisions players face, Night City offers a leading example of how side missions can elevate a game through narrative depth and player choice.

6. The Enchanted World of Tamriel

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim stands as a monumental achievement in the RPG genre, offering players a sprawling world filled with diverse side quests throughout its many cities and locations. Skyrim’s cities, like Whiterun and Riften, are packed with compelling characters and side missions ranging from helping the local guilds to exploring haunted ruins. These quests often contribute to the mythology of Tamriel, with choices that can affect the fate of the land and its inhabitants. The freedom to explore and approach side missions at your pace adds an immeasurable depth to the player’s experience.

7. Monaco’s High-Stakes Missions

In the realm of strategic and stealth gameplay, Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine offers players a captivating set of side missions based in a heist-centric world. The game’s focus on cooperative play takes players through a series of increasingly complex heists set in the glamorous yet dangerous Monaco. The charm of Monaco lies not only in the variety of available characters but also in the strategic mind-bending puzzles players must navigate. Each heist represents a unique side mission that requires teamwork, skill, and creativity, turning every play session into an unpredictable adventure.

8. The Rich History of Liberty City

The fictional Liberty City, primarily known from the Grand Theft Auto series, is another notable entry packed with engaging side missions. Both through mainline GTA titles and downloadable content, Liberty City houses countless side missions that range from vigilante justice to quirky, often humorous, side adventures. The character-driven narratives and immersive world-building create a genuine sense of interaction, making completion of side missions a rewarding experience. Each side quest contributes to the overall chaotic nature of Liberty City, creating a sense of genuine player immersion.

9. The Wild West of the Red Dead Redemption Series

The Red Dead Redemption series encapsulates the essence of the Wild West, with cities such as Saint Denis providing players with diverse side missions steeped in history. Throughout both titles, players can engage in a variety of activities, from bounty hunting to treasure hunting, building a narrative rich with character interactions and moral dilemmas. The expansive world and intricate side quests not only deepen players’ connection to the characters but also provide a historical lens through which to view the often romanticized Old West. This unique blend of atmosphere and narrative gives players a deeply immersive gaming experience.

10. Explore the Futuristic Tokyo in Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo introduces players to a hauntingly beautiful version of modern-day Tokyo, filled with supernatural side missions that unravel the mysteries of the city. Players can engage with enigmatic spirits, dissect urban legends, and explore a myriad of ghostly challenges that enhance the immersion factor. These side missions serve both as a captivating gameplay element and a rich narrative device, unveiling the city’s culture through a supernatural lens. The blend of action, exploration, and narrative depth in these side missions can captivate players as they strive to uncover the hidden secrets of Tokyo’s streets.

Side missions can add layers of depth, engagement, and creativity to any gaming experience. The cities highlighted above exemplify the unique ways in which side quests can enhance gameplay, promote world-building, and inspire players to explore. Whether in a world filled with thieving, racing, or fighting supernatural forces, engaging with side missions deepens the connection between the player and the game's universe. From the sprawling urban landscapes to fantastical kingdoms, these cities offer an exciting range of side missions that can elevate the overall gaming experience to new heights.