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TTRPGs that have a "small fish in a big pond" feel? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by naught101@lemmy.world to c/rpg@ttrpg.network

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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?

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[–] naught101@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

One of my friends is a big fan of Blades.. Will give it a go at some point.

Is the ease of prep to do with preexisting material, or mechanics that make it easy for players to contribute to the world-feel, or something else?

[–] Berttheduck@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Blades is far and away my favourite game system so far.

It does a bit of everything you mentioned.

So the set up included in the book is good, basically:

Here's a few factions and you are on a job for one of them to steal something from the other (change based on your players crew, ie kill someone or purchase drugs). After they finish the job you do a couple steps for:

Heat - how much fallout they get from the law. Has consequences like allies getting locked up or interrogated. Or the popo kicking down the door to your hideout.

Downtime - where players pursue goals and recover. Leads to crazy projects like making flamethrowers or summoning demons.

Faction - decide as GM which factions are affected and adjust relations with the crew appropriately. Leads to reactions from factions, favours and retribution. Job offers or threats.

As every action the players take is working against at least 1 faction and likely benefits at least 1 more the game really easily writes itself. With like 5-15 minutes of thinking pre session about likely next steps and a few random names I could improv everything I needed.

The GM advice included is great and the world building is fab, the steampunk haunted setting is awesome.

I've also said far too much without mentioning the flashback mechanic - you skip the whole prep stage of jobs and go straight into the opening scene, then at any point the players can spend stress to flashback and set up a cool move: hide some useful gear, arrange the servant to leave the window open, Etc. The possibilities are endless and it keeps the game moving really well.

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Helpful overview, thanks!