In the realm of video gaming, the main quest serves as a backbone for many titles, driving the narrative and engaging players. Crafting an effective main quest, however, is no simple feat—it requires seamless integration of characters, plot, and gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, even some of the most acclaimed games struggle to deliver a captivating main storyline.
The open-world genre allows players to immerse themselves in vast environments, often filled with entertaining side quests that can overshadow the main storyline. As a result, several games have emerged that are undeniably enjoyable yet feature weak main quests. Personally, while I usually seek depth in main narratives, I can appreciate that many of my cherished titles falter in this aspect.
This article will explore a selection of games that, despite their lackluster main quests, still offer tremendous fun for gamers.
10 Horizon Zero Dawn
Aloy’s Past Outshines Her Present
Horizon: Zero Dawn stands as one of the most impressive titles of the past decade, showcasing exhilarating combat, stunning visuals, and superb voice acting. Yet, its primary quest disappoints in comparison. The overarching narrative revolves around a malevolent force bent on world domination, executed through uninspired mission design.
The main missions involve tedious stealth segments against human enemies, which pale in comparison to the thrilling encounters with colossal robotic dinosaurs. The real allure lies in the side quests that delve into the game’s rich lore, offering remarkable narratives and stunning visuals that overshadow the main quest’s lack of originality.
9 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Greece Lacked Assassins or Templars
As a pinnacle of modern RPGs within the Assassin’s Creed series, Odyssey excels with memorable characters, breathtaking landscapes, and engaging side quests. However, the main storyline reveals its shortcomings relatively quickly. Initial intrigue evaporates as villains are introduced prematurely, leading to a pacing issue that diminishes narrative urgency.
A significant section of the game insists players engage in side quests to advance, highlighting a lack of content in the primary narrative. In contrast, side quests shine with diverse and engaging objectives, some of which unfold in multiple phases, ultimately surpassing the creativity found in the main plot, which reverts to the predictable Assassin versus Templar rivalry.
8 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Your Adventure Awaits
Recognized as one of gaming’s finest achievements, Skyrim presents an expansive universe brimming with activities, from trading and farming to exploration and combat. Yet, its main quest falters, following a formulaic narrative to stop the dragon Alduin that lacks depth and compelling characters.
Despite a grand climax in Sovengard, the journey to such moments is often dull, filled with uninspiring gameplay. In contrast, side quests like the civil war storyline between Stormcloaks and Imperials offer rich narratives, while arcs involving the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild boast complex storytelling that raises questions about the main quest’s creativity.
7 Starfield
In Space, It’s Boring
Starfield presented a compelling universe ripe for exploration and adventure. Players could engage in myriad activities, but the main quest left much to be desired. The story is tedious, featuring bland protagonists, uninspired antagonists, and a convoluted plot that fails to captivate.
Key events felt sterile, and the main adversaries lacked depth, rendering the storyline anti-climactic. Fortunately, the game does feature excellent side quests, such as the darkly intriguing UC Vanguard questline and the morally complex interactions with the Crimson Fleet, showing that just because the main narrative suffers does not mean the whole experience is diminished.
6 Borderlands 3
A Cringe Worthy Journey
Borderlands 3 hits the sweet spot in terms of looter-shooter gameplay, with an incredible variety of weapons and engaging combat. However, the main quest’s dialogue is severely lacking, filled with cringeworthy attempts at contemporary humor that ultimately trip over themselves.
The character interactions, particularly those involving the antagonists, detract from the overall experience, overshadowing the engaging gameplay. Despite a compelling motivation to eliminate the main villains, players may find the journey through a sea of banal dialogue frustrating. Nonetheless, the gunplay remains fun, and the visuals are impressive, delivering an overall enjoyable experience.
5 Dragon’s Dogma 2
Stunning Combat, Weak Narrative
As a fan of the original Dragon’s Dogma, I anticipated a sequel that would build on its predecessor’s rich legacy. Unfortunately, Dragon’s Dogma 2’s main quest proves disappointing, presenting a poorly structured narrative that introduces but quickly abandons engaging plot threads.
Potentially interesting characters fade into obscurity, and any semblance of a compelling antagonist disappears for long stretches. The fragmented storytelling left me questioning the design choices made during development. Thankfully, the combat and exploration remain satisfying, complemented by an innovative pawn system and emergent quests that sustain excitement beyond the main storyline.
4 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
A Case of Missed Potential
Regarded for its exceptional gameplay, Metal Gear Solid V features some of the most refined action and stealth mechanics to date. However, its narrative disappoints, offering flimsy characterization compared to earlier titles in the series. The sparse dialogue, coupled with unresolved plot threads, leaves players feeling unfulfilled.
Despite the graphics being on par with contemporary releases, the lack of a robust story detracts from the overall experience. Players find themselves drawn into the gameplay while yearning for the engaging narrative and character depth found in previous installments.
3 Avowed
Impressive Exploration, Mediocre Storytelling
Avowed presents an engaging experience yet ultimately disappointing due to its cliché storyline that culminates in a predictable “power of friendship”moment. The main quest is interrupted by repetitive encounters with identical enemies and drags on without any compelling objectives until the game’s latter stages.
Although the visual presentation is stunning, the narrative struggles to engage, lacking well-developed characters that would draw players in. However, the combat mechanics and side quests stand out as highlights, showcasing enjoyable gameplay that contrasts sharply with the blandness of the main story.
2 Xenoblade Chronicles X
A Beautiful World, But Lacks Depth
Xenoblade Chronicles X enticed players with its stunning visuals and expansive landscapes but faltered in delivering an engaging main quest. Initial hours are spent in mundane errands and fetch quests, lacking the excitement necessary to propel the narrative forward.
While the plot improves in the latter stages once players gain access to their Skells and face stronger threats, the main storyline is ultimately forgettable, with insufficient character depth to anchor the experience. That said, the game shines in its side quests and vast exploration, making for a sustained, enjoyable gaming experience overall.
1 Hogwarts Legacy
Not the Chosen One
Hogwarts Legacy offers a dreamlike experience for fans of the Harry Potter universe, immersing players in the magical world of Hogwarts. The atmosphere, spellcasting, and the chance to explore are nothing short of fantastic. However, the main storyline fails to deliver the same excitement.
The plot lacks originality, presenting a villain that pales in comparison to the series’ iconic figures like Voldemort. The quests often fall into repetitive patterns, involving simple objectives like tracking down characters or uncovering minor lore details. This lack of engagement is a letdown, especially given the game’s higher-quality side content, such as darker quests involving forbidden curses that elevate the gaming experience beyond the perfunctory main narrative.
Overall, the contrast between immersive side content and a lackluster main quest serves as a reminder of the fine line developers must walk in crafting captivating gaming experiences.
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