While Crimson Desert is an action-adventure RPG with a strong emphasis on its main narrative, completing all side quests is a rewarding endeavor that offers a deeper understanding of the world and its inhabitants. Side quests often provide unique lore, introduce memorable characters, and offer valuable rewards such as experience points, crafting materials, and even unique gear. They can also serve as excellent opportunities to practice combat mechanics and explore areas you might otherwise miss.
The game's structure, as hinted by the walkthroughs for "Prologue: Dead of Night," "Ambush Walkthrough," and "Unknown Space Walkthrough," suggests that side content will be available from the early stages of your journey. Pay close attention to NPCs who have exclamation marks above their heads, as these typically indicate available quests. Some side quests might be initiated by interacting with specific objects or discovering hidden notes in the environment. Don't be afraid to explore off the beaten path; you might stumble upon an NPC or a trigger for a quest that isn't immediately obvious.
The source material mentions using the Visone to watch stored memories and push into tree images of murals to open puzzle spaces. These puzzle spaces could potentially lead to areas that house side quests or offer clues to their locations. Furthermore, mastering your newfound Abyss powers, as highlighted in the context of Chapter 1: "The First Encounter," will be crucial for completing some of the more challenging side quests that might involve combat against tougher enemies or navigating environmental hazards. Regularly checking your quest log and actively seeking out NPCs and interactive elements will be key to ensuring you don't miss any of the rich side content Crimson Desert has to offer.