10 Video Game Side Quests That Impact The Main Story In A Major Way

Companion missions in Mass Effect 2 are probably the best example of how taking a moment to do something outside of your main agenda can actually impact your primary objective in a major way.

The companions of Mass Effect are one of the most well-known aspects of the series. They are Shepard's loyal crew, who would follow them to the end of the galaxy and back. That is, unless you're playing Mass Effect 2, in which case the trip back is purely dependent on how loyal your companions truly are.

You see, the finale of Mass Effect 2 is a suicide mission in which Shepard and his crew need to be in perfect sync with each other in order to stay alive. How well-organized and competent each member of your team is depends on whether or not you took the time to build rapport with them and help them with their own personal issues.

This means that if you didn't feel like spending the time to do your companions' side missions, your final battle against the Reapers might end up being an absolute slaughter of your team, including even Shepard himself.

See? Even in the distant future, it's important to be a team player.