10 Time-Consuming Video Game Side-Quests That ARE Worth Finishing

Filling any game with four gazillion collectibles is an uncreative and laborious way to pad out the gameplay. When the items themselves serve little-to-no function, some gamers might skip the collect-a-thon sections, and just stick with the main campaign.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag falls victim to this trap, since it contains over 500 trinkets to find. As our hero, Edward Kennway swashbuckles his way throughout the West Indies, he's expected to collect 30+ shanties. Every time Edward grabs one of these, his pirate crew learn a new melody to sing on their travels.

Not only do the sea shanties have no effect on the story, they're a nightmare to collect, since they blow high in the air and change direction without a second's notice. If Edward doesn't swipe the shanty within the first few seconds, it'll disappear, meaning the player can't try again until it respawns.

As laborious as this side-mission is, it's surprisingly rewarding. Because Edward spends hours on the ocean, sailing should be quite boring.

But upon hearing the sailors belting out dozens of catchy ballads, it's impossible not to be entertained. Even when players don't where to go, they don't mind aimlessly sailing, so long as they get to hear another round of Billy Riley.