Tbh I’ve always just looked up the steps to pertinent side quests online b/c they’re absurdly obtuse and at least for me damn near impossible to figure out solo

It’s true of every Souls game to an extent but esp with Elden Ring the main deal is exploring somewhere else and upgrading ur weapon/leveling up if u encounter a particularly difficult area/boss. There’s a very free form nature to the game’s progression that allows that