History Main / SidetrackBonus

* One of the new bonus levels in the GameBoyAdvance version of ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'' is a simple, straight, effortless path to the goal, if you don't mind getting 10/100 points. You want HundredPercentCompletion? Better take a detour.

* ''ABoyAndHisBlob'' for Wii is a major offender. (Although a lot of levels do provide you with [[NoticeThis fireflies]] pointing out the path for treasure.) In fact, one level in world 2 is extremely straightforward if you're just going for the exit... and almost ''maddening'' if you go through it looking for the treasure.

See also OnlyIdiotsMayPass, where the correct path is indicated but you ''have'' to go the wrong way in order to access it. Also compare with a specific type of BackTracking where a new weapon or ability allows you to acquire a treasure or powerup that was previously out of reach. Failing to go the wrong way first may lead to certain items being LostForever. Usually the sidetrack is a PathOfMostResistance.

* Be sure to search every nook and cranny in the ''VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet'' story levels, so you can find Prise Bubbles. They contain new costumes and objects for use in the LevelEditor.

* The Yoshpet forest area in ''{{Okami}}'' is notable because you have a time limit, and there's always a character pointing the correct way. But if you take the wrong path, you'll always find a treasure chest, some of which you'll need if you want OneHundredPercentCompletion.
* Very common in the ''RatchetAndClank'' series. Nearly all planets have at least two 'missions'. One is obviously what you came there to do, but the other will most likely net you a new gadget or weapon. (or co-ordinates to a new planet... [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment where you'll most likely find a new gadget or weapon]]) But if you only do the first, then leave, you'll eventually run into an obstacle on a later planet that, surpise, is only passable if you have the SidetrackBonus from before, forcing you to backtrack. Long-time players of the series know to always save plot-vital objectives for last.

* The ''Franchise/TombRaider'' series is generally linear with items strewn along the path, but each level usually has a side room or area that is hidden, difficult to reach, or the area itself contains traps. The hidden areas, usually called secrets, contain extra ammo, health kits, or even weapons. Finding every single secret area isn't required to finish the game, but the bonus items they provide can help. Finding secret areas is almost a must in the console version of ''Tomb Raider III'' since most of the game's Save Crystals are found in secret areas.

-->-[[LampshadeHanging An NPC]] in ''{{Pokemon}} [=HeartGold=]/[=SoulSilver=]''

* In ''{{Warcraft}} 3'', when you meet up with Jaina for the first time you are to proceed toward a town. If you backtrack the way Jaina came from there is an artifact for you.

** Almost every ''FinalFantasy'' has some variant of this--typically, the paths keep splitting in two, with one path leading to a dead end that may or may not have a treasure chest, and the other leading further into the dungeon. Usually, there's no way to tell which path will be a dead end, and if the paths get more complicated than a two-way split, it can be impossible to tell whether you're going the wrong way and will hit a dead end soon, or you're going the right way and should head back immediately to check for treasure. And you ''will'' want to check for treasure, because the weapons and armor in those chests are often significantly more powerful than anything you can buy in stores at that point in the game. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' is one of the worst offenders here, since going through some doors teleports you to the center of an empty room in which the random encounter rate is significantly increased, forcing you to fight two or three battles just to get back out and try the next door in the hopes that this time you'll get a room with a treasure chest. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', on the other hand, mostly avoids this both through linear dungeon design, and through not having any treasure chests (when the game does give a sidetrack bonus, it's generally a spell.)

* ''KidIcarusUprising'' has an arrow that shows you where the next objective is. Almost always, extra treasure chests, hearts, or hot springs can be found by going everywhere but where the arrow points when you get into an open room.

* Happens a few times in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. In the Ruined Temple, for instance, you can make the right turn and skip going straight. You'll also lose out on one of the best swords in the game, and the only one geared specifically for Arcane Warriors. The game warns you you're entering a boss area by doing an auto-save...usually a good time to check and see if there are other rooms you should investigate before proceeding.

* In ''DungeonKeeper'', completing certain objectives will almost invariably either a) unlock new, harder objectives (objectives that will in all likelihood [[GuideDangIt thoroughly kick your ass]]), or b) result in your missing out on certain spells that are nigh-essential for completing the game (especially Transfer Creature or Locate Hidden Level).

* The ''TombRaider'' series is generally linear with items strewn along the path, but each level usually has a side room or area that is hidden, difficult to reach, or the area itself contains traps. The hidden areas, usually called secrets, contain extra ammo, health kits, or even weapons. Finding every single secret area isn't required to finish the game, but the bonus items they provide can help. Finding secret areas is almost a must in the console version of ''Tomb Raider III'' since most of the game's Save Crystals are found in secret areas.

* Bearing in mind that the main point of the ''MonkeyIsland'' games is to [[RuleOfFunny access as many jokes as possible]], it's usually more rewarding to try dialogue options and item combinations that you ''know'' aren't going to work, just to see [[HilarityEnsues what happens]], especially since almost nothing you do can get you killed or render the game {{Unwinnable}}.

* ''{{Half-Life}}'' subverts this trope. With the developers having stated that when they had multiple paths they would find players would get through one path, turn around and search the other, even thought they ended up in the same place.
* ''Left4Dead'' is quite linear, but there is usually a small side room or the like that may contain weapons or healing items if you take the time to explore. Since the game randomizes where and what items will spawn, you'll never find goodies in the same room twice in a row.

* From ''LegendOfDragoon'', backtracking to Lohan after picking up one character lets you buy their Dragoon Spirit about two discs earlier than they would normally get it.

* Often averted in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''. Quite frequently, there are collections of chests, crates, cabinets, cases and such in places you wouldn't exactly expect them, but most have nothing but random junk in them, if anything at all. You may get a little ammo, a healing item or two, and some VendorTrash of actual value, but that's it. Naturally, this is played straight if you're exploring an underground storage or a military position.

* Happens a few times in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. In the Ruined Temple, for instance, you can make the right turn and skip going straight. You'll also lose out on one of the best swords in the game, and the only one geared specifically for Arcane Warriors. The game warns you you're entering a boss area by doing an auto-save...usually a good time to check and see if there are other rooms you should investigate before proceeding.
** Overlaps with GuideDangIt. Taking certain dialogue options with the Gatekeeper will drag you past a possible sidetrack with ''several'' bonuses. You will have to backtrack for it. Woe betide you if you take the dialogue options with the Lady that take you directly to the elven camp...
* In ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'', during the quest for the Shield card, exploring the caverns in Mosperiburg a bit leads to a BonusBoss fight with a red and black dragon duo, guarding a hoard of treasures and items.
* In ''{{Warcraft}} 3'', when you meet up with Jaina for the first time you are to proceed toward a town. If you backtrack the way Jaina came from there is an artefact for you.
* In ''DungeonKeeper'', completing certain objectives will almost invariably either a) unlock new, harder objectives (objectives that will in all likelihood [[GuideDangIt thoroughly kick your ass]]), or b) result in your missing out on certain spells that are nigh-essential for completing the game (especially Transfer Creature or Locate Hidden Level).
* ''ABoyAndHisBlob'' for Wii is a major offender. (Although a lot of levels do provide you with [[NoticeThis fireflies]] pointing out the path for treasure.) In fact, one level in world 2 is extremely straightforward if you're just going for the exit... and almost ''maddening'' if you go through it looking for the treasure.

* This makes up the majority of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'''s exploration. Thanks to the game telling you where you're supposed to go and generous automapping, it's very easy to tell which paths are likely to have treasure (though not all do).
** Almost every ''FinalFantasy'' has some variant of this--typically, the paths keep splitting in two, with one path leading to a dead end that may or may not have a treasure chest, and the other leading further into the dungeon. Usually, there's no way to tell which path will be a dead end, and if the paths get more complicated than a two-way split, it can be impossible to tell whether you're going the wrong way and will hit a dead end soon, or you're going the right way and should head back immediately to check for treasure. And you ''will'' want to check for treasure, because the weapons and armor in those chests are often significantly more powerful than anything you can buy in stores at that point in the game. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' is one of the worst offenders here, since going through some doors teleports you to the center of an empty room in which the random encounter rate is significantly increased, forcing you to fight two or three battles just to get back out and try the next door in the hopes that this time you'll get a room with a treasure chest. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', on the other hand, mostly avoids this both through linear dungeon design, and through not having any treasure chests (when the game does give a sidetrack bonus, it's generally a spell.)
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' manages to have a very notable one where you have the choice to take an elevator or the stairs on a tall skyscraper. Naturally the elevator is quite fast but if you take the stairs you'll pick up a few nice items and some interesting dialogue to boot.

* From ''LegendOfDragoon'', backtracking to Lohan after picking up one character lets you buy their Dragoon Spirit about two discs earlier than they would normally get it.
* ''VideoGame/CliveBarkersJericho'' is an aversion only notable for having so many forks in the road leading [[EmptyRoomPsych nowhere]]. No pickups, no plot coupons, no clues that you're heading into another gratuitously added dead end.
* This is a good way to find Power Nodes, ammo, and [[ShmuckBait sudden Necromorphs]] in ''VideoGame/DeadSpace2''

* Often averted in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''. Quite frequently, there are collections of chests, crates, cabinets, cases and such in places you wouldn't exactly expect them, but most have nothing but random junk in them, if anything at all. You may get a little ammo, a healing item or two, and some VendorTrash of actual value, but that's it. Naturally, this is played straight if you're exploring an underground storage or a military position.
* This is very noticeable in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword''. The game's dowsing feature makes it easy to tell which of a set of path leads to plot advancement, so you can explore the alternatives if you want. Though most of the time you'll run into a DoorToBefore.

* The ''TombRaider'' series is generally linear with items strewn along the path, but each level usually has a side room or area that is hidden, difficult to reach, or the area itself contains traps. The hidden areas, usually called secrets, contain extra ammo, health kits, or even weapons. Finding every single secret area isn't required to finish the game, but the bonus items they provide can help. Finding secret areas is almost a must in the console version of ''Tomb Raider III'' since most of the game's Save Crystals are found in secret areas.
* ''{{Half-Life}}'' subverts this trope. With the developers having stated that when they had multiple paths they would find players would get through one path, turn around and search the other, even thought they ended up in the same place.

* Happens a few times in ''DragonAge.'' In the Ruined Temple, for instance, you can make the right turn and skip going straight. You'll also lose out on one of the best swords in the game, and the only one geared specifically for Arcane Warriors. The game warns you you're entering a boss area by doing an auto-save...usually a good time to check and see if there are other rooms you should investigate before proceeding.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Torchlight}}'', you need to cover every square inch of a level to be sure you've gained the maximum experience, fame and loot from that area. Same applies, of course, to the ''{{Diablo}}'' series it apes/improves on.

* ''CliveBarkersJericho'' is an aversion only notable for having so many forks in the road leading [[EmptyRoomPsych nowhere]]. No pickups, no plot coupons, no clues that you're heading into another gratuitously added dead end.

* Often averted in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''. Quite frequently, there were areas that looked to be full of chests, crates, cabinets and cases...All of which had nothing but random, worthless crap in them, if anything at all. Usually, it was stuff that wasn't even worth the weight limit cost to pick it up as {{Vendor Trash}}.

* VideoGame/{{Borderlands}} featured a LOT of this. In one area, there were literally even some giant neon arrows pointing you through certain doorways. And yes, these doors usually led to the next story-advancement area. But if you zigged when the game was trying to get you to zag? Your payoff was often gun chests, items and/or ammo.
* Often averted in VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}, and VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas. Quite frequently, there were areas that looked to be full of chests, crates, cabinets and cases...All of which had nothing but random, worthless crap in them, if anything at all. Usually, it was stuff that wasn't even worth the weight limit cost to pick it up as {{Vendor Trash}}.

* {{Half-Life}} subverts this trope. With the developers having stated that when they had multiple paths they would find players would get through one path, turn around and search the other, even thought they ended up in the same place.