hidden gems of Starfield, most of which end up being some of the most fun and captivating quests the game has to offer, but it could take a while to get to the best.

Starfield’s massive open world is excellent for explorers, but it can be daunting wading through so much content just to find the stories that stand out. To be sure, the majority of Starfield’s quests are very well-written and feature engaging gameplay. Yet, only a few leave players with the feeling of awe that Bethesda’s top-notch storytelling is capable of. These must-play missions are sometimes part of larger storylines that do require some time to access, but it’s absolutely worth it in the end.

15 Lost and Found Will Tug On Your Heartstrings

Issued By Vassilis Voria In Dazra City's Halls Of Healing

"Lost and Found," part of the Startfield, is one of the most heartbreaking quests in the entire game. In this quest, players help an old man by the name of Reigen Ueda, who needs help finding some items around his house. It's not a particularly long or difficult quest, but it accurately portrays the sorrow and difficulties associated with dementia.

Exploring his home and listening to his audio files reveals the story of an old man who, when faced with the loss of a family member, turns to medication to try to ease his pain by removing painful memories. Besides finding the missing items for Reigen, players can also clean his home, which is entirely optional but a nice thing to do for this struggling man. Anyone wishing to get some closure on this story can follow it up with the "Fallen Footsteps" quest, also acquired in the Halls of Healing.

14 The Audition Is A Wholesome Side-Story

Issued By Several People In Neon

While wandering the streets of Neon, Starfield adventurers hear rumors about the Ebbside Strikers, a small faction who rules the streets with a strong but fair grip. As the story unfolds, it turns out that Neon is being threatened by another faction called The Disciples, who are nowhere near as kind.

Players must enter the ranks of the Ebbside Strikers to help them go up against the Discipes, but it's not as easy as it seems. First, they must prove they have what it takes to be a part of the team with an audition, where they not only have to complete a quest, but also make sure no one gets killed in the process. The story is one of the more wholesome ones, and it's worth a run for anyone playing a morally good character.

13 The Duel Faces A Family Feud

Issued By The Adlam Brothers In Jinan Plaza

"The Duel" is a side quest from the Shattered Space expansion to Startfield. The quest places players in the middle of a family disagreement, which culminates in two brothers having a duel. The way players interact with the brothers affects how the story evolves and can result in one of several different outcomes.

The best part about this quest is that its aftermath can be seen in the game even after the quest is over. If the players manage to get a good ending, then visiting the Adlam home after the quest has ended will reveal what happens after the mission reaches its conclusion.

12 Entangled Explores Multiple Realities

Issued By A Distress Call On Freya III

"Entangled" is one of the main quests from Starfield, and it features an unexpected twist to the storyline. Upon landing on Freya III, players receive a distress call that sends them out to help its unknown source. Upon finding the origin of the signal, a science lab is discovered.

At this point, it becomes clear that the Starfield universe is larger than it seems at first. The game tasks adventurers with exploring a parallel universe version of Starfield. Only the most dedicated can find a way to save not just one universe, but two in a quest showcases how Bethesda is able to string sci-fi elements into a deep story with versatile lore.

11 The Boots Is A Short And Silly Side Story

Issued By Antonio Bianchi In The Well

Not all of Starfield's quests are serious or require firepower. "The Boots" is a silly side story about a pair of very unlucky boots, given by Antonio Bianchi, the merchant at the UC Surplus store in The Well. It seems that no matter what he does, the boots just keep coming back to him, even after being thrown into space.

Antonio will ask players to get rid of the cursed boots once and for all. Even this small mission has repercussions, though: players will have a chance to make a choice when they go to retrieve the boots. The choice shouldn't be taken lightly, though, as it seems the bad luck of the boots will just continue if the wrong decision is made. The short quest shows how even the smallest of side missions can have a real impact on the world of Starfield.

10 Groundpounder Will Test Player Firepower

Issued By Visiting Either Aranae IV-A Or Altair

“Groundpounder” is an action-packed quest that features plenty of gunfights and space battles. It’s a straightforward FPS mission with a simple story attached, but it excels at conveying the historical baggage for two of Starfield’s major factions.

Against the overwhelming force of Spacers, players have to work with and unite two small groups, one representing the United Colonies and the other representing the Freestar Collective, governments that had been locked in a brutal war just a couple of decades before Starfield’s main story.

9 Operation Starseed Is An Unexpected Adventure

Issued In A Transmission Upon Landing On Charybdis III

The less said about “Operation Starseed,” the better, as it’s one of the few quests in Starfield that players must experience for themselves with as little spoilers as possible. All players need to know is that the quest will introduce them to some names they'll probably recognize, and allow them to recruit a character they didn't think could even exist in the Starfield universe.

It’s a pretty zany quest that leans on Bethesda’s expertise of putting players into odd scenarios and having them figure out what to do with the intriguing charterers around them. It also does a wonderful job of showing what’s possible on the fringes of Starfield’s universe, both literally and from a lore perspective.

8 Mantis Takes A Break From Action In Favor Of Puzzles

Issued By Reading A Secret Outpost Slate

“Mantis” is a relatively easy mission to stumble upon in Starfield. It will be added to the quest log after looting a randomly placed slate that points the player in the direction of a secret base that Spacers are targeting for loot. This treasure hunt takes a turn, as the outpost belongs to a famed and feared vigilante known as the Mantis.

Players will have to compete with Spacers and the Mantis’ traps and puzzles to make it to the end of a unique dungeon with plenty of stellar rewards. It also has a compelling story about the person who most recently held the Mantis mantle and how the responsibility strained her role as a mother.

7 First To Fight, First To Die Is An Exciting Space Western

Issued By Daniel Blake In Akila City

“First To Fight, First To Die” is a full-fledged action showcase at the tail end of the Freestar Rangers faction questline. It opens with a space battle and then moves to the planet's surface, where the player assaults the First Cavalry’s base of operations inside an abandoned mech factory.

The level design provides one of the best areas for combat gameplay, featuring multiple layers of verticality and a mix of long-range and close-quarters action. It’s refreshing because it stands out among the many randomly generated buildings players encounter in Starfield’s open world. Plus, it’s one of the few times the players fight the First Cavalry, which is an excellent change of pace from fighting Ecliptic mercenaries and Spacers.

6 Unearthed Impacts How The Story Ends

Issued By The Emissary On Oborum Prime

“Unearthed” is situated deep into the main questline, showcasing one of the game’s most poignant plot reveals. It sends players to NASA headquarters on the long-dead Earth, where humanity’s last moments before evacuating the planet are somewhat frozen in time.

The quest helps to put into perspective what the main journey could mean for the larger universe. It also forces players to make a tough choice that impacts the end of the game, and the stakes feel very real.