Meh, I'd rather have lots of side quests with mundane rewards for the quest-enjoyers than a bunch of "not actually side quest" side quests with near-mandatory rewards. Side quests should feel optional.
The side quests are quite boring and uninventive though. 95% of them are not even worth the reward, and then of course they sprinkle in 5% that really are, so you feel you don't really have a choice of missing out.
