Is side content worth doing right away?

[iwasdropped]

Seems like more and more side content is opening up. I'm not looking for a long playthrough. Is the side content (caves, etc) worth doing as I go or can I just focus on main missions?

[Basan™]

If you want to get the most out of Rise of the Tomb Raider then I highly suggest you doing all that "side content" (of Tombs, side quests, and other Sarcophagus caves) as you're calling it because many times it brings you rewards like: new skills, weapons, outfits and extra Byzantine Coins to be spent upon that Trinity's "broker" store too.

Although in the end it's you choice... and eventually your loss.

[injustice]

optional tombs? yes. they almost always give you really useful rewards or rewards that just make the game that more convenient, like being able to climb anything twice as fast. side quests? probably not, alot, or maybe the majority of them just give you outfits. theres a few that give you new weapons or add-ons for your weapons, like laser pointers to improve accuracy but the game tells you what the reward is before you even accept it so its up to you

[iwasdropped]

Originally posted by injustice:

optional tombs? yes. they almost always give you really useful rewards or rewards that just make the game that more convenient, like being able to climb anything twice as fast. side quests? probably not, alot, or maybe the majority of them just give you outfits. theres a few that give you new weapons or add-ons for your weapons, like laser pointers to improve accuracy but the game tells you what the reward is before you even accept it so its up to you

ah ok thank you that's good to know

[Basan™]

I'm not sure which sort of quest gave me the Combat Knife for improved stealth kills, although imho it sure was worth it. And after having it you can also finish that Soviet Installation's main area, called Hunting Grounds, "Challenge" to then cut down those 7 Soviet Flags that still are hoist upon the main map's area of it and get the extra XP for it.

And I'm sure that 2 side missions/quests upon the Soviet Installation gave me both the good Infiltrator outfit and also the Shotgun's Muzzle extra part, even if you only get natural story's access to that sort of weapon shortly after upon reaching the Remnant's Village after crossing the river into another area of it. A thing which didn't affect my gameplay much because upon these Tomb Raider 2013's (TR 2013's) and Rise of the Tomb Raider's (RotTR's) trilogy games I was never much of fan of such calling attention's towards the spot it was short sort of weapons (because there are 2 good Supressed Shotguns upon Shadow of the Tomb Raider).

As I've always perceived it, there are only possible ways to "have short playthroughs" when you're playing "New Game +" options, which upon RotTR simply isn't feasible.

[MASTAN]

Originally posted by Basan™:

I'm not sure which sort of quest gave me the Combat Knife for improved stealth kills, although imho it sure was worth it.

You get combat knife in the mines. Can't miss it, it's required for progression there.

[Basan™]

Originally posted by MASTAN:

Originally posted by Basan™:

I'm not sure which sort of quest gave me the Combat Knife for improved stealth kills, although imho it sure was worth it.

You get combat knife in the mines. Can't miss it, it's required for progression there.

You're right. My last playthrough was in last August so I forgot that you get that piece of equipment when going under the mines to reach the Remnants Village by killing some Trinity's Soldier along the way.