Side Mission Necessary?

[// Melnikov]

Whenever you start solving a new mystery, their is a 'side mission' that pops up that is usually something along the lines of 'Investigate xxx location 0/2 to complete', in addition to the city location that gets circled (ie suggested investigation place). Should you complete the side mission investigation first or is it unnecessary to be able to solve the mystery?

[Footman]

You don't have to, but doing them leads to a "true" or even more optimistic ending in some mysteries.

[SlackerUnchained]

Originally posted by Servitor:

You don't have to, but doing them leads to a "true" or even more optimistic ending in some mysteries.

...Though - somewhat ironically - speaking in terms of approaching the gameplay, it might be more 'ideal' to skip the side investigations of certain mysteries from time-to-time. Yes it can help you net specific endings, but 'seeing different mystery endings' is often a completionist thing. Sometimes the only real benefit to aiming for a specific mystery ending after you've already seen it once is merely for the value of obtaining a specific item or resource reward that that ending offers. If a mystery's alternate endings don't offer said rewards, or you decide that you just don't need them, then pursuing the side mysteries after you've already seen them one is - essentially - just adding more extraneous investigations upon yourself that add to your Doom accrual and possibly carries the risk of otherwise-avoidable Stam/Reason loss, such as forcing you into extra combats. If you've already gotten the extra endings in question for completion, and all you're trying to do is sucessfully complete the current run in whole, there's little loss in skipping the side-mystery in that case and just going for the easiest-to-obtain and least-risk-intensive endings.

[El Rey de la Karnov]

Originally posted by C0smicMisfit:

Originally posted by Servitor:

You don't have to, but doing them leads to a "true" or even more optimistic ending in some mysteries.

...Though - somewhat ironically - speaking in terms of approaching the gameplay, it might be more 'ideal' to skip the side investigations of certain mysteries from time-to-time. Yes it can help you net specific endings, but 'seeing different mystery endings' is often a completionist thing. Sometimes the only real benefit to aiming for a specific mystery ending after you've already seen it once is merely for the value of obtaining a specific item or resource reward that that ending offers. If a mystery's alternate endings don't offer said rewards, or you decide that you just don't need them, then pursuing the side mysteries after you've already seen them one is - essentially - just adding more extraneous investigations upon yourself that add to your Doom accrual and possibly carries the risk of otherwise-avoidable Stam/Reason loss, such as forcing you into extra combats. If you've already gotten the extra endings in question for completion, and all you're trying to do is sucessfully complete the current run in whole, there's little loss in skipping the side-mystery in that case and just going for the easiest-to-obtain and least-risk-intensive endings.

Well that's pretty much textbook risk/reward mechanics. Risk getting harder stuff and more doom, get a better ending as a reward. If you just want to go for the less risky, survival optimal run, you will get a worse ending.

[GuineaPrince]

As much as I enjoy a good risk/reward mechanic, that's more for unknown outcomes and probabilities.

Taking the side-mission is a known, after your first time doing them. And honestly, it's more about what outcome you want and whether or not the side-quest helps it.

Looking for unseen endings? Go for it. Want minimal doom and maximum stamina/reason to rush the lighthouse? No reason to. Looking for specific mysteries rewards? Gonna depend on a per-mystery basis.

And some of them are straight up counter-productive, only giving you a health drain without actually impacting the mystery's outcome.

So ultimately, down to if you want to or what you need, on a mystery by mystery basis.

[Pluskvantperfekt]

On top of granting access to different mystery endings, doing the side quest also boosts the amount of XP gained on mystery completion.

[kawaika]

I complete the side missions whenever possible for the extra xp. I like to level up as much as possible. Getting a bunch of allies and having a bonus for each ally... and the katana... is very nice.

[Marmorkatze]

Originally posted by Nazareth:

Originally posted by C0smicMisfit:

...Though - somewhat ironically - speaking in terms of approaching the gameplay, it might be more 'ideal' to skip the side investigations of certain mysteries from time-to-time. Yes it can help you net specific endings, but 'seeing different mystery endings' is often a completionist thing. Sometimes the only real benefit to aiming for a specific mystery ending after you've already seen it once is merely for the value of obtaining a specific item or resource reward that that ending offers. If a mystery's alternate endings don't offer said rewards, or you decide that you just don't need them, then pursuing the side mysteries after you've already seen them one is - essentially - just adding more extraneous investigations upon yourself that add to your Doom accrual and possibly carries the risk of otherwise-avoidable Stam/Reason loss, such as forcing you into extra combats. If you've already gotten the extra endings in question for completion, and all you're trying to do is sucessfully complete the current run in whole, there's little loss in skipping the side-mystery in that case and just going for the easiest-to-obtain and least-risk-intensive endings.

Well that's pretty much textbook risk/reward mechanics. Risk getting harder stuff and more doom, get a better ending as a reward. If you just want to go for the less risky, survival optimal run, you will get a worse ending.

Hm, I'm not so positive that this can be considered risk/reward. Some endings, like the Dream Devourer and the Eels, do hurt your reason, if you don't kill the boss (bad end) or stab your neighbours eye (good ending). And then there's the Scissor Woman-Scenario that rewards you with a very good weapon, when you get the bad ending. Granted, the scissors increase your doom on occasion, but you'll shred through most encounters that it won't be a problem if you know what you do.
Most scenarios don't reward you with anything good or worthwhile and the good endings are just fluff. They aren't even considered for the Ending at the lighthouse.
Maybe except for the mermaid-case. Getting Ending A drops a strong weapon you won't get otherwise. Though I don't remember the stats.

There really needs to be a change to the endings. Like much better rewards for your troubles. For example a less awful effect given by the old god or at least decreased odds of receiving a bad realy bad effect, like contamined water
Or a special skill, bonus stats or much more XP.