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
[–] INeedMana@piefed.zip 2 points 3 days ago

I have always felt like this playing Warhammer. The stats and hp progression rarely led to being OP, and even if the character had some political clout there has always been some cultist agenda that will sooner erode that edge before you get enough proofs to convince anyone to believe you. Every approach you consider, you can't be sure of the outcome