1. Linear Objectives

   • Think: Uncharted, God of War, Last of Us.
   • You go from A ➡ B ➡ C with clear, predefined missions.
   • Objectives are mostly dictated by the story. Player agency is limited but tightly crafted.

2. Branching Objectives

   • Think: Mass Effect, Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher 3
   • Main quest + optional side quests. Some choices change the story.
   • Feels open, but there’s still a narrative skeleton under the skin.

3. Sandbox Objectives

   • Think: Minecraft, The Sims, Goat Simulator
   • No story required. You make your own fun. Objectives are player-driven.
   • Might still include achievements, progression systems, or emergent goals.

4. Open-World / Zone-Based Quests

   • Think: Skyrim, Zelda: BotW, GTA V
   • Main story exists, but you can ignore it for hours doing… anything else.
   • Exploration, side missions, collectibles, and factions.

5. Procedural / Roguelike Objectives

   • Think: Hades, Dead Cells, Slay the Spire
   • Objectives are generated per run. Story is light or slowly revealed.
   • Focus is on gameplay mastery, not plot.

6. Multiplayer Competitive Objectives

   • Think: Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League
   • Story? Nah. You win by outlasting, scoring more, or flexing harder.
   • Sometimes “lore” or seasonal narrative exists, but it’s mostly cosmetic or thematic.

7. Puzzle & Logic Game Objectives

   • Think: Portal, Tetris, The Witness
   • Often has no real story. Just solve things until your brain melts (in a good way).

8. Survival / Horror Objectives

   • Think: Subnautica, Don’t Starve, Resident Evil
   • May have story beats, but core objectives are: stay alive, find resources, escape or endure.

🧩 Are Story Quests Always Part of a Game Design?

Short answer: Nope.

Story quests are one design tool, not a necessity. Here’s how they fit: