I mentioned minigames as a joke, but it's honestly refreshing seeing so many people against it. There are some games where people will throw hissy fits if you say that minigames/free-roam are boring. But maybe a minigame where you get to beat the cop neighbor (like the BaDIK fighting ones) wouldn't be so bad, if it was only one time and skippable.
I mean, the worst offender in terms of minigames is Badik...that shit...so ass
You can't even completely turn them off or skip them even if you turn them off.
In general, most minigames are boring, repetitive and just all around better without it imo.
You're idea of a once off beating up the cop would be all fine in my books thought.
Free-roam can be ok, if they are used sparely, have good navigation and make kind off sense why they are there.
Sandbox just sucks about 90% of the time and in 8-9% it's implemented in a good(ish) way but it feels just unnecessary and then there is a handfull of games where it's ok like Desert Stalker.
But liking i do it only in rpgm games, where you have gathering, crafting, fights, managing aspects.