Games where you're not just the hero: you're the resident

Games are sometimes all about massive intergalactic battles and unstoppable superheroes. Getting lost in some fantastic action like this can be a blast, but sometimes you might prefer something more realistic and low-key. Experiences that are a bit more relatable to the average person just trying to live a peaceful life in their town or city.

That doesn't mean you can't still be a hero where the situation allows. It's just that there's something more grounded in being part of the community, maybe doing some relaxing side tasks as a resident. In a way, these titles allow you to do just that.

6

Shenmue

Life in Yokosuka

In games that focus heavily on a specific city as a setting, it's important that it doesn't feel limiting or the same. The best such cities almost become characters themselves, lively, varied, colorful, full of things to do (ideally an evolving selection of such as the game progresses) and crazy personalities to meet. in this regard ShenmueYokosuka fits perfectly.

This is a real city in the center of Japan and Sega has done an excellent job of making it feel realistic. Perhaps too realistic. The story begins with the brutal killing of the protagonist Ryo's father, and thus begins a quest for revenge as the killer escapes. However, it's definitely not the fast-paced, action-packed experience that some might expect from that moment. The game revolves around immersing yourself directly into urban life: Finding informants who may have useful information, engaging in long conversations, and finding clues in the slow, winding details. You will be very familiar with everyone's routine in Yokosuka as they all have schedules. Shenmue is in some ways a pretty typical Dreamcast game: An inventive, flawed, experimental piece, underappreciated by many.

5

Person 5

Two different lives of phantom thieves

It's not easy being a Phantom Thief. Not only is the initial awakening and transformation obviously harrowing (those cutscenes are pretty brutal), but you have to balance your schoolwork with all the mayhem and battles going on in the villains' palaces. Still, it means they have a home base to return to in the “real” world. For Ren Amamiya, better known as Joker, it is bustling Sangenjaya where Cafe LeBlanc is located.

The gang meets here to discuss their plans, the Joker lives here with Sojiro Sakura, and various stat-boosting activities are also found here. Of course, you only have so much time in the day to do these activities, so you have to be selective about what you want to accomplish at that time. Outside the cafe's doors, meanwhile, is the wider Sangenjaya district, where Joker can shop, attempt a food challenge (a giant hamburger), work part-time, or a host of other activities. As with Shenmuethe feeling is to be part of a community and act in it, not just to move between activities in the world of the center.

4

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

The normal life you were denied

IN Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Life of Henry v Skalitz takes a tragic turn very quickly indeed. As he gets swept up in events after an attack by Sigismund's forces, it's clear that our hero will have a vital role and a greater purpose that will see him travel quite widely. He won't get a chance to rebuild his destroyed home, but when the From The Ashes expansion arrived, it gave the player the opportunity to do just that in Pribyslavitz.

Henry becomes the bailiff of the village, a huge responsibility that requires him to rebuild it from almost nothing. This allows him to build a personal connection to the place, even as he selects buildings, gathers the necessary resources and funds, and brings in more residents as shops and settlements are rebuilt. From his quarters in the town hall, he maintains a relationship with the growing population, solves problems and generally becomes a respected and influential citizen.

3

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

A heroic mayor This city needed

The latest installment in Animal Crossing series, New Horizonsit arrived exactly when it was most needed. His predecessor, New sheetwas a slightly different beast, a 3DS release in which the player takes on the role of the mayor of a town. In this capacity, the character is still a resident of the city, but also has the additional responsibility of developing certain buildings and other projects. This includes things from the LOL club to bridges, benches and all kinds of unique sculptures.

This kind of functionality has basically been completely replaced New Horizons' the freedom to place the furniture outside, but it was very interesting to see how the player was given a role that he had not had before. It's a slightly different dynamic, but it still means that the main character is the resident as always. Shop with the locals, make friends with them, play games with them, email them, and otherwise enjoy being part of the community you've created.

2

Monthly

City merchant and warrior

Local merchants are true pillars of communities everywhere. After all, we wouldn't get very far without the goods we need on a daily basis. If these peddlers can also moonlight as adventurers destroying monsters in themed dungeons, so much the better. There are not many examples of such heroes, but Monthly introduces us to one: a young man named Will. The family shop, Moonlighter, is in the town of Rynoka. In order to stay supplied and earn funds for his development, Will ventures into the dungeon system at night, going through different levels until he reaches the boss. There it is possible to collect all kinds of raw materials, which can be sold during the opening hours (in daylight) in the shop. And so these two different types of play complement each other.

Combat is relatively simple, with fast, less powerful weapons, slow, heavy and devastating, some in the middle, and bows for ranged damage. Upgrading your weapons and armor requires certain items as well as money, and so the cycle continues. As the city develops, new residents will move in and provide other useful services, while setting prices for each type of item is surprisingly complex if you dive into the systems. It is a charming town whose central part is joy.

1

Stardew Valley

Where everyone knows your name

Stardew Valley is similar Monthly in tone, featuring a beautiful little pixel art world where you get to know everyone. You arrive in town as an outsider, now committed to a small farm that you may not have been entirely convinced about. However, within a few days in the game, it will become your new life.

The game's overwhelming popularity is due to so many factors, not the least of which is that you bond with all the other residents over time. They could just be NPCs repeating the same two empty lines of dialogue, but instead they're your friends, neighbors, and one of them is potentially even your husband. Participating in seasonal events and developing a routine as your farm and your relationships blossom is still as much of a joy as ever.