These side-quests are important. On your way true the galaxy people will ask you to do some favours fore them. This can go from locating a certain object for them or finding a run-away droid. These side-quests and the way you talk to strangers (friendly / aggressive) have an influence on the force. If you’re friendly and helpful you will retrieve Light side points. If you refuse to help someone in need you will retrieve Dark side points. Therefore, you will be able to play this game several times, each time letting your character evolve on that broad scale from Darkness to Light... You can be the noblest of all Jedi, truly just in every word and deed, or you can be a vile monger of war, looking to pick a fight at any time.​