Looking for games where you play as an ordinary person in background stories?

Dark, Story-Driven Narrative
1

I’m really sick of being the chosen hero or the destined savior in every game I play. Does anyone know of games where you can be just a normal person who gets caught up in events that are bigger than them? I want to feel like the world doesn’t revolve around my character.

I’ve tried a bunch of different games but they all make me feel too important. In most RPGs you end up being the legendary warrior or the prophesied one. Even when I try to roleplay as a regular person, the story keeps pushing me into being special.

What I’m looking for is something where major events happen around me but I’m not the center of attention. Maybe I’m just a merchant trying to survive during a war, or a settler dealing with everyday problems while kingdoms rise and fall nearby.

I really enjoy open world games and survival titles where I can make my own choices. RPGs are good too as long as they don’t force me into being the main character of some epic quest. I’m not into anime style games though, just want something that feels grounded and realistic.

2

Disco Elysium nails this too. You’re just a washed up detective investigating a murder while bigger political events unfold around you.

3

Project Zomboid might be exactly what you’re looking for. You’re just some random person when the zombie apocalypse hits and you’re trying to survive while the world falls apart around you.

4

This War of Mine hits that vibe perfectly. You’re just civilians trying to survive a siege, not soldiers or heroes.

5

Papers Please does this really well. You’re just a border guard stamping documents while political stuff happens around you that you have no control over.

6

Mount and Blade series is perfect for this. You start as literally nobody with terrible gear and have to work your way up from being a random mercenary. The world has kings and wars happening but you’re just some guy with a sword trying to make money. Even when you get stronger you’re still just another lord among many, not some chosen one saving the universe.

7

Kenshi is brutal for this. You start as absolutely nothing in a world that doesn’t care about you at all. Factions wage war while you’re just trying not to starve or get enslaved. The game literally calls you nobody and treats you like it. No main quest, no destiny, just pure survival in a harsh world where you’re completely insignificant.