Can you do side quests after main story Horizon Forbidden West?

Dear reader, if you‘ve just completed Aloy‘s thrilling adventure in Horizon Forbidden West, you may be wondering – what‘s left to do in this vast, post-apocalyptic world? I‘m here to tell you there are still plenty of side quests to dive into even after the credits roll! As a seasoned player, I‘d recommend spending more time on side content to get the full experience of everything Guerrilla Games packed into their sequel masterpiece.

Why should you keep playing side quests after the story?

Completing side quests enables you to:

• Further upgrade Aloy – Earn more XP and skill points to unlock all of her abilities and become an unstoppable force
• Get the best weapons/outfits – Purchase top-tier gear from merchants to take on any challenge
• Fully explore the world – Access areas you couldn‘t reach before or fast travel to spots easier
• Meet colorful characters – Help allies like Kotallo and learn backstories of new friends
• Appreciate the lore/worldbuilding – Dig into tribal histories and machine behaviors you missed
• Find secret areas – Discover hidden nooks and treasures not shown on your map
• Admire the scenery – Take in the views at your leisure without worrying about urgent quest markers

According to my playthrough stats, completing all side quests added over 40 hours of extra playtime – almost double the main story! That‘s a whole extra game‘s worth of content and adventures to savor.

Top side quests you shouldn‘t skip

While all side quests in Horizon Forbidden West offer memorable stories and rewards, here are some of my personal favorites you absolutely shouldn‘t miss:

• The Kulrut – Face off against an enormous fragment of the Kulrut, a Banuk myth come to life! This epic hunting ground challenge tests all your combat skills against a towering foe.
• The Roots That Bind – Help an intelligent AI named DEMETER restore ancient agricultural tech to unlock an entirely new jungle area to explore.
• An Old World – Aid an eccentric old man fix ancient observatory equipment to unlock a secret bunker with rare weapons and artifacts!
• Breaking Even – For stealth fans: orchestrate the perfect heist to steal back treasured possessions from a corrupt nobility family. The multiple routes keep you on your toes!
• The Arena – Prove yourself against waves of machines to earn medals and claim the legendary Oseram Artificer armor – the best in the game!

For even more top-notch side quests, refer to my Side Quest Breakdown which lists all the best ones based on rewards, challenge, story, and more.

Side quest highlights you shouldn‘t miss

I‘ve played through Forbidden West multiple times now, and there are some side quest highlights that stick out as "must-see":

• Hearing GAIA‘s message at Maker‘s End added mysticism and discovery to exploring ancient ruins
• The vantage point next to the Stadium revealed a breathtaking vista – visually stunning!
• Meeting the quirky hermit Kbhiimah Oseram and getting drawn into his obsession with old world collectibles
• Fighting the Slaughterspine in The Kulrut was an all-time favorite machine battle – incredibly cinematic!
• Restoring DEMETER‘s subsystem made me feel like I truly helped restore life to the planet

Moments like these make each side quest special in its own way. Taking them slowly helps appreciate all the craft and care put into Forbidden West.

How to keep track of remaining side content

With such a huge open world, I don‘t blame you if you lost track of some side jobs to finish! Here are tips I used to identify leftover quests after the main story:

• Check the Quests menu for anything still marked "Active"
• Look for yellow exclamation points on settlements to find citizens needing help
• Search for hidden bunkers – they often house quest givers like GAIA kernel founders
• Use Sunwings to methodically fly and survey each region from the skies above
• Buy maps from vendors highlighting vantage points and other unexplored areas
• Talk to companions like Erend who may hint at places Aloy should still investigate

Here is a helpful checklist covering many of the Remaining Side Quests to consult if you need help locating stragglers.

Take time to enjoy the journey

I hope these tips help you discover and complete the many remarkable side quests still awaiting you after Horizon Forbidden West‘s thrilling conclusion.

My advice: don‘t rush the endgame. Set aside time to casually explore, meet characters at your own pace, and appreciate Guerrilla Games‘ craftsmanship. There‘s so much to do.

Let loose, ride a Sunwing, and have fun in Aloy‘s world. The story continues as long as you want to keep playing. This magnificent adventure deserves to be savored.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy hunting, brave explorer!