Summary
Whether they are appreciated or not, side quests have the potential to make a game’s world feel much more substantial than it appears to be by offering deeper insights into its lore and characters than the main story might be able or inclined to do. Whenever side quests are implemented well, they provide a meaningful and rewarding escape from the demands of the primary objective, offering memorable stories and challenges that have the potential to increase immersion beyond the capabilities of a game’s visuals or gameplay.Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis the perfect example of a game that knows how to do side quests, arguably putting it in league with thelikes ofThe Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt.
InIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, side quests, otherwise known as “Fieldwork,” don’t stick out like a sore thumb as optional objectives tend to in many other games, nor do they feel boring or unrewarding to complete. Instead,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlemanages to make its side quests feel like an essential part of the main adventure, which is something not commonly found in action-adventure games and gaming in general. It accomplishes this through each side quest’s unique contribution to the overall narrative, as well as its intentional design to make completing each side quest an almost accidental feat.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Side Quests Don’t Feel Like Side Quests
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Side Quests Are Seamlessly Integrated Into Its Story
Unlike manygames that feature plenty of side questsfor players to complete,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlesomehow integrates its side quests so seamlessly into its gameplay that it’s often difficult to tell whether the current quest is the main story or mere Fieldwork. Much of this comes down to the pacing of the side quests, as they generally match the pacing of the main story, in that they aren’t something trivial, like quick and aimless fetch quests. Instead, these side quests have a tendency to even contribute to the main story, as players find various bits of lore in notes, books, and other items scattered throughout each area that help flesh out whatever Indy is ultimately after.
Many ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s side quests also rely on cinematic moments, and since those are generally reserved for the main story in other games, they can sometimes trick players into thinking they are witnessing acutscene from the main story. It also helps that most of the game’s side quests are naturally introduced as players pursue the main objective and collect whatever they find along the way. Many of these side quests can even be completed while players are in pursuit of the main quest.
This is all likely due to MachineGames ensuringIndiana Jones and the Great Circlefeels more like a playable film than a simple video game.
There Are Plenty of Benefits to Completing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Side Quests
Another wayIndiana Jones and the Great Circlemakes its side quests feel essential is through the rewards they offer when completed. Not only can players acquire plenty of Adventure Points and lira, the game’s currency, but they will also occasionally receive valuable Adventure Books, as well as relics and artifacts that enrichIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s narrativeand offer insights into the game’s lore. Plus,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s economy is well-balanced, so obtaining as many Adventure Points and as much lira as possible is necessary for progression.
While side quests aren’t always greeted with a warm reception,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleshows just how meaningful they can be when they’re treated as an essential part of the experience rather than mere optional content. The game’s seamless integration of Fieldwork into the pacing, narrative, and cinematic quality of the main story sets it apart from others in the genre, allowing the side quests to feel less like distractions and more like something worth investing time on. Furthermore, with rewards that make the trip worthwhile and a design that blurs the line between optional and essential,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleproves thatwhen side quests are done right, they’ll never subtract from the quality of a game.
