this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2025
30 points (100.0% liked)

rpg

4121 readers
32 users here now

This community is for meaningful discussions of tabletop/pen & paper RPGs

Rules (wip):

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

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?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] perfectduck@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Aielman15@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

TTRPG = TableTop RolePlaying Games.

This is not c/games lol

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Most of the video game answers were here before I edited the title. I guess the community name is not prominent enough on the main Lemmy UIs..