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

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day 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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[-] mugita_sokiovt@discuss.online 2 points 1 day ago

I know of one, that being GUN by Abbadon, which might be a good idea.

[-] naught101@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

How does it give this feeling?

[-] mugita_sokiovt@discuss.online 2 points 23 hours ago

I think what gives GUN the feeling is that it takes place in the wild west (which is dying), and that the mechanics regarding guns, characters, and encounters are something to behold once you get into them. It's a non-D&D system that primarily uses d10's if I'm not mistaken (I hadn't played it, but only seen gameplay of it).

this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2025

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