How to Master Side Missions Without Losing the Main Plot

24 December 2025

Ah, side missions... The sweet, irresistible snack-sized adventures of any open-world or role-playing game. One minute you're chasing down the villain who threatens all existence, and the next you’re helping a random villager find his missing goat. It’s like stopping mid-marathon because someone challenged you to a three-legged race. Necessary? Hardly. Fun? Absolutely. But distracting? Oh, you bet.

So how do you master side missions without losing the main plot? You know, without forgetting why you're wielding that enchanted sword, who you're avenging, or what world-ending catastrophe you’re supposed to prevent?

Well, buckle up, because we’re about to journey through the cluttered quest log of your gamer life and sort this chaos out like a digital Marie Kondo—joyfully and with a bit of sass.

Table of Contents

1. Why Side Missions Are a Blessing and a Curse
2. The Classic Pitfall: “Just One More Side Quest”
3. Strategize Like a Mission-Obsessed Genius
4. Use Your Map Like It’s a Treasure Map—Because It Is
5. The Art of Prioritizing: Main Quest vs. Side Quest
6. Know When to Walk Away From a Side Quest
7. Batch Side Missions Like You’re Doing Laundry
8. Keep the Main Plot Fresh in Your Head
9. Embrace the FOMO and Move On
10. Game-Specific Tips That Actually Work
11. Final Thoughts (aka Stop Chasing Chickens)

Why Side Missions Are a Blessing and a Curse

Here's the thing—side missions are like those bonus fries at the bottom of the bag. Totally unnecessary, but once you taste them, there’s no going back. They offer lore, loot, laughs, and sometimes the kind of emotional trauma Disney movies dream of.

But while you're deep-diving into "fetch quests" and "kill ten rats" side gigs, the main plot is, quite literally, on fire. The castle’s burning, princess is waiting, and here you are gathering herbs for a potion no one asked for. Classic.

You love them. You hate them. But you can’t ignore them. So let’s talk about taming the beast.

The Classic Pitfall: “Just One More Side Quest”

We’ve all been there.

You open your quest log thinking, “I’ll just knock out this one nearby side mission before returning to the story.” Two hours later, you're wanted in three regions, adopted a pet wolf, and forgot who the final boss even is.

This is the gamer’s version of the "I'll watch just one episode" lie. And it's dangerous. But hey, at least we’re consistent, right?

Strategize Like a Mission-Obsessed Genius

If you're going to indulge in side quests, at least do it with some grace. Here’s the secret sauce:

- Set Boundaries. Yeah, like it's a toxic relationship. Only allow yourself a set number of side quests before getting back to the main story.
- Timebox Your Gameplay. Two hours of side missions max, then it’s time to save the world again. Consider it your digital curfew.
- Use Quest Markers Smartly. Pin relevant missions so you’re not zigzagging across the map like a confused NPC.

Playing smarter, not longer, means more epicness with less burnout. Win-win.

Use Your Map Like It’s a Treasure Map—Because It Is

Your map isn’t just a pretty background with icons that scream “Look at me!” It’s your side quest cheat sheet.

Zoom out. Take in the big picture. Are there three side quests awkwardly close to each other just north of the city? Go hit them up in one run. Efficiency, my friend. It’s how pros roll.

And don’t forget about fast travel. It exists so you don’t have to play Uber for every fantasy-world villager with a missing cat.

The Art of Prioritizing: Main Quest vs. Side Quest

Not all side missions are made equal. Some enhance the lore, give you great loot, or unlock new abilities. Others? Well, they amount to glorified errands.

Ask yourself:

- Does this mission add to my character’s growth or story?
- Will I gain something useful—XP, gear, secret info?
- Am I emotionally invested, or is this just guilt-driven gameplay?

Be ruthless. If the answer is no, maybe that side mission should stay in the logbook forever. Sorry, “Find Billy’s Lost Boots”—you’re getting skipped.

Know When to Walk Away From a Side Quest

Sometimes you start a side mission... and then realize you’d rather watch paint dry. Hey, it happens.

If you’re ten minutes in and already wondering whether you could be doing literally anything else (like sleep), feel free to abort the mission. Your virtual hero won’t mind, and let’s be honest—you’re not going to miss that extra 5 XP and a wooden spoon.

Batch Side Missions Like You’re Doing Laundry

You wouldn’t wash one sock at a time, right? Same logic applies here.

Group your side missions by:

- Location: Knock out all the ones in the same region.
- Type: Doing combat-heavy quests today? Save the fetch quests for later when you’re in a chill mood.
- Storyline: Some side quests chain together into mini-stories. Do those in a row if you’re already invested.

Batching equals less grinding, more thriving.

Keep the Main Plot Fresh in Your Head

You know what sucks? Coming back to the main story after 20 hours of side quests and realizing you have zero clue what’s going on. Who’s this villain again? Why are we at war? Why is my sword glowing?!

Here’s your fix:

- Rewatch Cutscenes. If the game allows it, use that feature. If not, look up a quick recap on YouTube.
- Take Notes. Sounds nerdy, but jotting down key plot points saves you from the “Wait, what am I doing?” spiral.
- Revisit HQ/Hub Areas. These are usually where main plot characters hang out. A quick chat can catch you up—think of it as the story’s version of stretching before a workout.

Embrace the FOMO and Move On

Yes, some side missions will go uncompleted. Some treasure chests will remain unopened. And guess what?

It’s fine.

Your game time is precious. You don’t need to 100% the map unless you’re hunting trophies or suffering from completionist syndrome (we see you). Sometimes, being a hero means knowing when to say, “Nah, I’m good.”

Aaaaaand moving on.

Game-Specific Tips That Actually Work

Let’s be real—every game dances to its own tune. Here are a few tailored tips:

In The Witcher 3:

Side quests are dressed up in Shakespearean drama and can actually affect the ending (ugh, pressure). Prioritize character-driven ones and save generic monster contracts for farming season.

In Skyrim:

If you don’t write down your main quest, you’ll end up being the Thieves Guild leader, a vampire lord, and the Arch-Mage before you even remember Alduin exists. Stick to one faction at a time to stay sane.

In Cyberpunk 2077:

Some side missions are literal gold. Others? Glorified Uber runs. Look for anything involving key characters like Panam or Judy—they push character arcs and even affect your ending.

In Horizon: Forbidden West:

Collectibles will tempt you like a bakery display. But if you’re not careful, you’ll spend 20 hours scanning robot chickens instead of chasing the big bad. Pace yourself.

Final Thoughts (aka Stop Chasing Chickens)

Side missions are the sprinkles on the cupcake of gaming. But too many sprinkles? It’s a mess. You’re here for a story, a journey, maybe some epic boss fights—not to become the local errand-runner with world-saving amnesia.

So tackle those side missions. Love them. Laugh with them. But don't let them become the reason you forget the princess, the prophecy, or the purpose.

Because at the end of the day—the world ain’t gonna save itself.

Go forth, hero. And maybe, just maybe, skip that side quest about the missing cow this time.