There are games that have a “big fish in a big pond” feel - e.g. sandbox D&D games, or a “big fish in a small pond” feel, e.g. games with contained campaigns/missions.

There are also games that do a “small fish in a small pond” feel really well, e.g. Fiasco.

Are there any games that do a “small fish in a big pond” feel well? e.g. games where the players are not outstanding heros, and where the world feels big - not only spatially, but also socially and politically?

Edit: lots of good suggestions so far, but maybe I could have added:

  • it’s fine and good if the small fish somehow end up having a big effect
  • it would be amazing if the big-world had well fleshed out other goings-on. Ideally some mechanics that let all players contribute to this feeling, so it doesn’t depend entirely on the quality of the DMing

Edit 2: title, to avoid all the computer game suggestions. I guess the community name isn’t hint enough, huh?

  • MagicShel@lemmy.zipEnglish
    7·
    8 hours ago

    Paranoia, is explicitly written that way. You don’t win or change the world. You just survive it… a little bit longer… or not.

    Call of Cthulhu is sort of another example, but the characters do tend to be outstanding in some way, just not in power-fantasy ways.

    • naught101@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      5 hours ago

      Cool, thanks

      I could have been clearer: I’m not opposed yo the small fish having a big effect, but just don’t want it to be presupposed