20 Video Game Sidequests Better Than The Main Campaign
2. Dark Brotherhood - Skyrim: Elder Scrolls V
Even though Skyrim is a masterpiece, its storyline is surprisingly simple. Basically, the unnamed hero must stop a godlike dragon from ruling the world. (The plot feels more hollow when you take into account how anticlimactic the final battle is.)
Paradoxically, the plots surrounding many of the excessive errands have more meat to them, especially Dark Brotherhood.
Unlike other faction quests that deal with honourable heroism or the Dragonborn prophecy, this subplot involves you playing from the perspective of a villain, slaughtering innocents instead of monsters or enemy soldiers. The narrative depth and internal conflicts makes the Dark Brotherhood feel more like a carefully woven thriller than an optional storyline.
Additionally, this section distinguishes itself through its flawless character development. Astrid, Nazir, and Cicero aren't just generic NPCs, but fully realised personalities with distinct motivations, making every interaction with them engaging. Though this bunch could've been forgettable, they ended up being among the most beloved characters in the entire game.
Dark Brotherhood isn't necessary but it should be considered a part of the main campaign, since it's utterly captivating from start to finish.