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?
Mount and Blade warband is the dated but classic sandbox. You don’t matter unless you make it.
Kingdom come deliverance is more recent, but it’s definitely got a learning curve and some players can’t get the groove right.
Subnautica is a more literal interpretation.
Which would I recommend? Honestly all of them.