Are there "points of no return"

[Moridin]

been playing on and off and just wondering if there are points in the story when side-quests and activities become unavailable.

[valium]

Not in the way you describe, but the game warns you when you are about to do the final mission.

[Moridin]

so say I get to the point where you get shot and left for dead and Johnny inhabits you, the side-quests not already done are still doable? there's nothing other then the typical rpg "this is the last dungeon you cant go back" thing?

[Amanoob105]

The main storyline of the DLC has one of these, where you suddenly find yourself needing to pick between two options each leading down a completely different path. There's no real (stated) warning this is coming up and the path not taken will just have to wait for the next playthough.

But that is very much the exception to the rule as for the rest of the game the only "point of no return" is the one valium mentioned, which the game even makes an automatic save for when you first stand before it while it states this to be the case very, very clearly.

The only thing that comes close after that are just a number of side missions that have more than the one ending, but none of which have any real impact on the main storyline.

Originally posted by Moridin:

so say I get to the point where you get shot and left for dead and Johnny inhabits you, the side-quests not already done are still doable? there's nothing other then the typical rpg "this is the last dungeon you cant go back" thing?

Any side quests not done by that point will 100% still be there after the point you mention in your comment.
In fact, one of the side quests you will have in your "to-do list" at that point can only be done in the first place after that very point you mention in your comment .

[Moridin]

Alright, cool. thank you both. felt that asking was better then googling and getting tonnes spoilers.

[[=]Josiah]

I posted this in response to a slightly different question (someone trying to get 100% Steam achievements in one pass):

There are only a few consequential things you need to make sure to do to get 100%:
1) During the quest "Search and Destroy" there's a (minor) consequential choice. Either choose to listen to Johnny or not from the moment you get back on your feet. This can affect whether or not you interact with characters in the end game.
2) Quest "Chippin' In" has a very specific series of dialogue choices you need to make to unlock an ending.
3) Manual Save when you are alone with Songbird before making a particular story choice during the quest "Firestarter". This save point will be how you access the multiple story achievements for Phantom Liberty.
4) Say yes/support Kerry, River, Judy, and Panam on their quests.

The above four are the only ones that you *have* to do and can't realistically go back without replaying the game to get 100% Steam achievements.

In addition, there are a few side quests you have to do at specific times and can't be done "later". Three that come to mind:
1) During the Heist, you have the choice to send a package. Send it to Jackie's mom to unlock a certain side quest and gain two of the best pistols and a motorcycle.
2) Once Panam has helped you shoot down a flying vehicle and you've recovered its occupant, you have the opportunity to attend a memorial service and get some memorabilia as well as a knife. If you haven't attended this memorial and you start Panam's final quest, you will no longer be able to do this side quest.
3) There is a non-consequential side job that appears at the rollercoaster in Pacifica that you need to complete before you visit a church in the main quest. Again, non-consequential but it is one of the most wholesome side quests in the game.

There may be more but these are the ones I most regretted missing in some of my playthroughs.

[Talilover]

A couple that I can think of, but in the case of the main story the game warns you about it and throws you back out at that point after you beat the game.

DLC you're gonna want to save before the mission 'firestarter' (or just save when the choice is presented to you, you'll know it when you see it), no idea why other people didn't just tell you when the point comes instead of just talking about it's existence...

There's a side job that you'll unlock early on involving one of your neighbors and this is a rare case of a side job being extremely time sensitive, there's no mission that serves as a dedicated cut off point like some earlier examples but rather you should do it as soon as available for the best outcome.