The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has become famous for not only its main plot but also for its depth and variety of side quests. These quests give the players the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the Continent, providing a bit more lore, character interaction, and different gameplay experiences. This discussion will look at the side quests of The Witcher 3 in terms of variety, importance, and impact on the overall storyline as a whole.
Side Quests Introduction
Side quests in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are far from merely minor errands; indeed, they should be seen as forming the very infrastructure of the world and its characters. Side quests tend to deliver more nuanced storytelling than their main quest counterparts and often touch the subject of morality, politics, or human relationships. While the lore-friendly taxonomy could be open to debate, in theory side quests could fall under any of the broad categories of treasure hunts, contracts, and character-driven quests.
Types of Side Quests
1. Treasure Hunts
Treasure hunts involve searching for valuable objects, which, more often than not, open avenues to the discovery of hidden secrets and lore. These are quests whose emphasis lies on exploration and puzzle-solving.
a. The Witcher Gear Sets
One of the most iconic treasure hunts in The Witcher 3 is the hunt for the Witcher gear sets. Each set consists of a number of quests aimed at leading the player through finding the pieces of strong equipment, each with its own set of bonuses and lore.
Viper School Gear: Located in the swamps and Nilfgaardian regions, it mainly focuses on poison attacks and stealth.
Bear School Gear: From the Skellige Isles, this one is known for heavy armor and high vitality.
Cat School Gear: Spread all over in the Northern Kingdoms, this particular type of leather gear focuses on fast-attack agility and increasing critical hit chances.
Wolf School Gear: This is Geralt’s own gear set that has been scattered about and offers a decent balance between offense and defense.
A set requires players to find diagrams and pieces specific to that set, which are often guarded by some powerful foes or hidden away in some obscure place. These treasure hunts, while primarily serving as a source of valuable loot, also serve to amplify the game’s lore with information about the Witcher schools.
b. The “Of Swords and Dumplings” Quest
This humorous treasure hunt takes Geralt on the search for the fabled lost blade of a famous swordsmith. The quest involves solving riddles and assembling clues from all across the Continent, with a reward at the end that is half joke and half serious-use.
2. Contracts
Contracts are additional underground missions to search for and kill various monsters. The quests are manifestations of Geralt’s profession as a monster hunter, demonstrating his skills and abilities.
a. “The Beast of Toussaint”
This contract carries the players to the land of Toussaint, where Geralt would hunt down a mysterious beast city terrorizing the countryside. The quest is notable for storytelling richness and the moral choices laid before the players’ paths as Geralt through factions and the very nature of the beast.
b. “The Phantom of Eldberg”
In this contract, Geralt investigates a castle haunting and uncovers the tragic history behind the phantom. This quest opens up the deepest emotional side of the game, standing as a heartfelt tale of love, loss, and redemption.
3. Character-Centric Quests
Character-centric quests are about the personal stories that involve the game’s various characters. These quests probe into relationships, personal development, and how the larger events affect individuals.
a. “The Last Wish” (Yennefer’s Quest)
This quest investigates Yennefer’s past and her quest to regain her lost memories. It divulges the depths of her character and her conflicted relationship with Geralt. Players come to understand her motivations as well as the history of her magical powers.
b. “The Play’s the Thing” (Dandelion’s Quest)
Here, Geralt is called upon to aid Dandelion, the bard, in recovering from some trouble involving a play and a stolen manuscript. This jocular quest opens up a window into Dandelion’s personal life and his relations with other characters in the game.
4. Gwent-Related Quests
Outside Gwent matches, The Witcher 3 features a variety of side quests that involve challenging an opponent and hunting for rare cards.
a. A Dangerous Game
This quest forces the player to put his skills in Gwent to the test against tough opponents through stakes matches. Rewarding wins will yield the player special cards and also provide a more in-depth experience with Gwent mechanics.
b. Gwent: Old Pals
This quest requires the player to seek out and challenge old pals and rivals to a Gwent match. It’s a journey through nostalgia, exploring the various characters along with their connections to Geralt.
Impacts of Side Quests on the Game
1. Narrative Depth
Often side quests of The Witcher 3 have a much deeper story than the actual main storyline. They allow players to delve into subplots and additional character backgrounds that increase depth in the overall narrative. For example, the character-driven quests provide deep insight into the lives of Geralt’s friends and make them feel like a more major aspect of the story.
2. World-building
Side quests are important supporting elements of world-building in this game. They venture into various aspects of the Continent, from rustic villages to grandiose castles, and set the stage for major events from the main story. It is attention to such detail that breathes life into this world, making it feel immersive and authentic.
3. Moral Aspects
Most of the side quests involve a moral dilemma or choice that shapes the world in the game. This choice may decide the fate of characters or the direction of a particular storyline. For instance, the quest “A Knight’s Tales” involves a choice of whether to assist a fallen knight or to maximize your own gains; either choice influences the outcome for the knight and thereby changes the moral landscape of the game.
4. Types of Gameplay
The myriad side quests add variety to gameplay and present an array of different challenges and goals. Everything from contracts that pit you in combat to treasure hunts barred by puzzles keep gameplay fresh yet engaging. They are also great for opportunities to gain experience points, accrue items, and collect resources, all of which enhance the progression system at large.
5. Character Building
Side quests are usually meant to develop characters, Geralt included, together with those he interacts with. These quests bring forth personal stories, explore relationships, and basically add layers to an already diverse cast. For example, the quest “Family Matters” sheds light on some familial issues while linking with some emotionally charged instances in the game.
Memorable Side Quests
1. “The Contract: The Creature from the Lake”
The quest sends Geralt to a beautiful lakeside location where he must deal with a mysterious creature. It is a memorable quest for the atmospheric setting and the moral ambiguity about the creature’s true nature.
2. “The Nithing”
It involves assisting a woman in grief in laying to rest the spirit of her deceased husband. It is memorable for the depth of emotions and the exploration of themes surrounding death and afterlife.
3. “Morrowind’s Secret”
Geralt will have another mystery to solve involving ancient artifacts and powerful magic. This quest really highlights the exploration of the lore in this game and how it ties into the larger Witcher universe.
4. “The Forgotten Soldier”
This quest involves helping a soldier who has lost his memory and is seeking redemption for things he had done in the past. It contains a touching narrative exploring guilt, forgiveness, and self-realization.
Conclusion
Side quests in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt showcase the brilliance of design and storytelling in the game. They invite the player to soak in the world of the game more, to learn different tales, and to experience tweaking the gameplay. From treasure hunts to deeply character-driven storylines, each of these quests weaves the game world in its unique way and stands alone as meaningful gameplay and memorable experiences.
In interacting with these side quests, a player may find a little something to boost their awareness of the Continent and its inhabitants, discovering unknown secrets here and there along the way, thereby soaking in an enriched gameplay experience. The richness and diversity of the side quests are a push for The Witcher 3 to stay in the limelight for the years to come, turning it into the brightest jewel of the RPG genre and a masterpiece of interactive storytelling.