looting and more looting. opening every damn drawer to collect every penny.
Yeah, that thing, long after I need it.
side missions … gives me exp, resources etc
Yep, that thing too, plus also gives a much better view of the world than just story-speeding.
Exploration
Which brings me to Exploration. In Open World games I'll often play a session just to go somewhere rather than to achieve something—eg let's see if there's a way to the top of that mountain, or what's on that island. In games with Fast Travel I'll usually make an asap point of going from one to the next just to activate them, as a prelude to later objectives and exploration.
In 4X I send my Scout to the coast, and then have him hug it all the way until he can't. I usually delegate recommended pattern of circling around first city to first Warrior. As soon as I have a coastal city and protection for local sea resource, off go 2 boats in each direction. Since maps are procedural, all this never gets old—sometimes I even customize an exploration game, ie large map and only 1-2 opponents
Headshots
This is a recent one, since I tripped over a good percentage in Far Cry 5—first of my games I noticed providing a %. I've always favored them and set my pistols and ARs to single shot and prioritize accuracy, scope and recoil stats, while avoiding the OP spray guns. I ended with 68% in FC5, and thereby was born an obsession to get over 75% in future games.
My last FC6 stat is 8,019 headshots from 9,130 total kills. I think Machete kills are the only one to deduct from total to get possible headshots, = 9,130 - 122 = 9,008 possible.
8,019 is 89%, which interestingly is exact same stat from when I had less than half game played—this latest is with 65% 'completion'. So obsession achieved, and new one born to get over 90%
It's at point now where I'll forego a better tactical option—eg frag a group in one go—in order to headshot them all. I need help—and medkits!
Air Supremacy
In RTS, air power is always my strategic aim, and my early game will be geared to getting it asap—so turtle, collect and research. Then breakout, target their anti-air, and win. The Orcas from the first C&C still bring a smile, I had so much new fun with those guys