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.zip
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    8 hours ago

    world of darkness games

    I’ve seen it go this way, but also blood-sucking super heroes. It depends a lot on the individual table, but this was one of the first systems I thought of.

    Agree on OSR, though through skill and fortune one can become a big fish. Though I recall it used to be one you hit level cap you just retired.