I guess that's the point isn't it? I mean, almost everything you do has some kind of consequence*. Quests don't just fall into your lap, you're expected to talk to people and see if they need help, or to point you in another direction.
You have to explore; and it's always worth exploring, and I really like that.
I just don't like the way quests are shown in my quest book thingy.
Also don't like not having some kind of clue.
E.G: A Mother's Nightware (IIRC); I got this little Erma girls doll and I'm meant to find her for her mum. No clue what to do. :P
*
I found an NPC at Fort Joy. Butter was her name. I chatted with her, got all up in her bizniz and promised her good times and what what. She reciprocated the attraction.
A little while later, I got into a fight with Gruff, his lady friends and an oldish dude with a stick.
At one point in the fight though, Butter says something and switches sides to be my ally.
After which, she exclaims she couldn't let them kill me.
All I did was talk to an NPC and I ended up with an ally in battle.
I absolutely LOVE that.
Also.. gonna find Butter in Arx and make NuttiKrust bebe's... if she got out, of course.