One of the Most Iconic RPGs Hid Its Best Story in a Side Quest

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Role-playing games aren’t just about vast worlds and complex rules; it’s the stories they tell that truly matter. The best RPGs stay with you long after you finish playing, thanks to compelling conflicts, dramatic threats, and memorable characters. While the main storyline is often the focus, the most powerful narratives can sometimes be found in unexpected places-smaller, hidden quests that some players might miss entirely. These side stories demonstrate that a game doesn’t need a world-ending plot to create a meaningful and emotional experience.

Many consider *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* to be one of the greatest role-playing games ever made. Its protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, is a beloved character, and the game’s storytelling is highly acclaimed. While the main storyline is fantastic, a hidden side quest stands out as a fan favorite – it’s often cited as one of the best side quests in any video game. That quest is known as the Bloody Baron.

When Side Quests Surpass the Main Journey

Side quests in video games often serve as simple diversions or ways to make a game longer, like asking players to collect items, defeat enemies, or deliver messages. However, some developers create side quests with the same level of detail and care as the main storyline. Occasionally, these side quests become even more compelling than the main game itself, and a prime example is “The Bloody Baron” quest in *The Witcher 3*. It’s widely considered to be the best side quest in an already impressive game.

Okay, so the Bloody Baron questline starts with Geralt looking for the Baron’s wife, but it quickly becomes *so* much more than that. It’s a really powerful story that dives into some tough stuff – like family problems, addiction, and trying to make things right. What’s amazing is how much *you* control the story. Even right at the beginning, how you approach Crow’s Perch and first meet the Baron changes things – it’s a great example of how the game lets you make real choices that matter.

The main story centers around Phillip Strenger, known as the Bloody Baron, who hires Geralt to find his missing wife and daughter. In return, the Baron promises information about Ciri. Geralt’s search takes him to Crookback Bog, where he discovers the Baron is an alcoholic and has been abusive, leading his wife to run away with their daughter. The situation is further complicated by a past deal Anna, the Baron’s wife, made with dangerous witches called the Crones, which now has negative consequences. The Bloody Baron’s quest doesn’t have a simple or happy ending, with multiple possible outcomes all leading to unfavorable results.

The Bloody Anatomy of a Side Quest Masterpiece

This quest really stuck with me, mostly because of how the story unfolded and all the different ways it could end. At first, the Baron seemed like a worried husband and father, just wanting his family back. But you quickly realize they ran *from* him, not to him. Turns out, the whole thing started way back when his daughter, Anna, made a deal with some powerful witches – the Crones – to prevent a child of his from being born. They messed with the deal, though, draining Anna’s life force along with the baby’s. Luckily, she managed to get her hands on a magical talisman to protect herself.

Okay, so here’s what happened with Anna. When she ran, she dropped this important talisman and the Crones grabbed her, forcing her to look after kids in that awful Crookback Bog. That’s how the whole quest starts – Geralt and the Baron eventually find her. But honestly, even if you ‘save’ her, things don’t end well – her mind is pretty much broken. Worse endings see her die, either as herself or transformed into a hag. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Baron often kills himself afterwards. It’s a really rough quest, and no matter what you do, it’s a sad outcome.

The quest is complex from beginning to end. Unlike simpler stories with clear heroes and villains, The Bloody Baron challenges players to deal with difficult moral choices. They’ll explore the life of a troubled man trying to make amends and reconnect with his family. This quest isn’t just about *what* happens, but *how* you feel about it – every decision matters. The outcome for both the Baron and his daughter, Anna, can be hopeful but sad, or truly devastating, and the results will stay with you long after you finish playing.

While the main story in *The Witcher 3* is already strong, the game truly shines with its side quests. CD Projekt RED treats what other games would consider minor detours as full, memorable adventures. The world and gameplay are so immersive that players might even miss out on compelling stories like that of The Bloody Baron. This highlights the incredible level of detail put into the game, even in areas that aren’t central to the main plot.

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2025-09-14 17:10