Rise to Power: Top 10 Single-Player RPGs Starting You as a Nobody
In the world of single-player RPGs, starting as a nobody is a powerful narrative and gameplay choice. It strips away any preordained destiny, forcing players to earn their place through skill, strategy, and sheer determination. This approach transforms character progression into a journey of growth and discovery rather than a simple fulfillment of prophecy or fate.
The thrill lies in watching an ordinary character evolve from obscurity to influence, shaping their own story amid challenges that feel personal and earned. These games emphasize survival, choice, and consequence over guaranteed heroism.
Here’s a curated list of the 10 Best Single-Player RPGs Where You Start as a Nobody—each offering unique worlds where you build power from nothing. From medieval realism in Kingdom Come: Deliverance to the sprawling sandbox of Mount & Blade 2 Bannerlord, and the emotional depth of Enderal Forgotten Stories, these titles redefine what it means to rise from zero to hero.
1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance drops you into a harsh medieval world, where survival feels raw and every step forward is a personal victory. You play Henry, a blacksmith's son with no prophecy or special powers, just the drive to reclaim what was lost after your village is destroyed. The game’s realism shines through in its survival mechanics—simple tasks like swinging a sword, riding a horse, or picking locks demand practice and patience.
Choices shape your path deeply. Your reputation influences how NPCs treat you; showing up clean and well-armed can open doors, while ragged clothes might shut them fast. Dialogue options and quest outcomes shift depending on your skills and decisions, making the character’s growth feel earned rather than handed down. This grounded progression from nobody to respected figure anchors the game’s immersive experience.
2. Pathfinder Kingmaker
Overview of Pathfinder Kingmaker:
Pathfinder Kingmaker is a game designed for fans of tabletop RPGs (role-playing games). It allows players to manage their own kingdom and make complex decisions that affect the game. This game captures the essence of traditional tabletop RPGs, providing an immersive experience for enthusiasts.
Importance of Choices:
In Pathfinder Kingmaker, every decision you make is crucial. It not only impacts your character's story but also shapes the overall gameplay experience. The choices you make influence the direction of the narrative, your relationships with allies and enemies, and ultimately determine the fate of your kingdom. Your strategic decisions play a vital role in overcoming challenges and achieving success in this immersive RPG world.
3. Mountain Blade 2 Bannerlord
Mountain Blade 2 Bannerlord, released in 2022 after years in early access, offers players the ultimate medieval sandbox experience. You have the freedom to not just play a story but create one. Whether you aspire to be a noble leading armies into epic battles, a traveling merchant, a political schemer, or a rogue bandit, the game provides diverse options for shaping your destiny.
Empire management plays a crucial role, allowing you to build castles, manage vassals, and make strategic decisions that impact the world around you. The game rewards ambition and persistence, offering a unique journey from humble beginnings to a position of power through sheer determination and strategic choices.
4. Gothic 2
Overview of Gothic 2's Narrative:
In Gothic 2, players immerse themselves in the protagonist's underdog journey, where they are not the chosen one but just an ordinary individual striving to survive and thrive in a world indifferent to their fate. The game's immersive world-building sets it apart, creating a sense of realism and depth that draws players into its compact yet richly detailed environment.
Comparison to Other RPGs:
Compared to sprawling RPGs like Skyrim or Mountain Blade 2 Bannerlord, Gothic 2 stands out for its more focused and personal storytelling approach. Every aspect of the game, from character interactions to quest outcomes, feels meticulously crafted to reflect the protagonist's struggle and growth within the unforgiving world of Corinus.
5. Kenshi
Kenshi stands out as a survival story generator more than a traditional RPG. You start as a nobody, often starving and vulnerable in a harsh world filled with slavers, cannibals, and biomechanical horrors. The game's systems are notoriously complex, unforgiving, and intertwined—every action has consequences that ripple across your journey.
- No main quest or guiding markers; you carve your own path.
- Build a squad of wandering warriors, become a legendary thief, or establish a mountain fortress.
- Every success feels earned, but failure is brutal—expect to lose limbs, allies, and countless hours.
It’s like stepping into an open desert where the map is erased every time you fall. Kenshi challenges players who crave player-driven narratives where survival depends on grit and adaptability, crafting personal sagas that feel raw and unforgettable.
6. The Age of Decadence
The Age of Decadence plunges you into a low-magic, post-apocalyptic world inspired by the fall of Rome. This RPG strips away heroic fantasy tropes, forcing you to navigate a crumbling society where every decision carries real weight.
- Choices with consequences define your journey — dialogue options can open or slam doors shut.
- Combat is brutal and unforgiving, rewarding careful planning over brute force.
- You start as just another survivor in a harsh environment filled with scheming nobles, dying religions, and lost technologies.
This game demands patience and strategy. Instead of power fantasies, it offers razor-sharp writing and world-building that makes every victory feel earned and every failure meaningful. The Age of Decadence stands as a stark contrast to more forgiving RPGs on the "10 Best Single-Player RPGs Where You Start as a Nobody" list, carving its own niche through punishing mechanics and deep role-playing depth.
7. Enderal Forgotten Stories
Enderal Forgotten Stories is an emotionally rich RPG that offers a unique world lore and in-depth character development.
The game explores intricate moral challenges and powerful storytelling aspects that draw players into a captivating narrative experience. Its emphasis on emotional storytelling and distinctive world lore distinguishes it from conventional RPGs, providing players with an immersive and captivating adventure through its complex storyline.
8. The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim
Skyrim, the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls series, is renowned for its open-ended structure that grants players unparalleled freedom in shaping their own journey to power. Unlike linear games that dictate a specific path, Skyrim empowers players to explore its vast world at their own pace and make choices that align with their preferred playstyle.
Carving Your Own Path
In Skyrim, players have the opportunity to forge their own destiny by selecting from a variety of playstyles and factions. Whether you prefer to wield magic as a powerful sorcerer, hone your skills as a stealthy assassin, or embrace brute strength as a warrior, the choice is entirely yours. The game seamlessly accommodates different approaches, allowing you to tackle quests and challenges in ways that suit your character's abilities and personality.
Freedom to Choose
One of the standout features of Skyrim is its ability to cater to diverse player preferences. The game presents numerous factions such as the Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, and Companions, each offering unique storylines and rewards. As you progress through the main questline, you have the freedom to engage with these factions or completely ignore them if it doesn't align with your character's goals.
This level of player agency not only enhances replayability but also fosters a sense of ownership over your gaming experience. Every decision you make in Skyrim has consequences, shaping the world around you and influencing how NPCs perceive your character. Whether it's choosing between competing factions or deciding the fate of key characters, these choices add depth and weight to your actions.
Skyrim's open-ended structure serves as a testament to the power of player freedom in video games. By providing an expansive world filled with opportunities for exploration and self-expression, it invites players to create their own stories and become active participants in their adventures.
9. Pathologic 2
Pathologic 2 stands out in the 10 Best Single-Player RPGs Where You Start as a Nobody list as a survival horror RPG that throws players into relentless tension and pressure. You step into the shoes of Artemy Burakh, a surgeon returning to his plague-stricken hometown. The atmosphere is bleak and suffocating, filled with distrust, sickness, and surreal dread.
The game refuses to hold your hand—managing health, hunger, exhaustion, and reputation becomes a constant struggle against time and dwindling resources. Every decision carries weight; saving someone might cost you dearly elsewhere. Conversations feel heavy with consequence, emphasizing how fragile your position is in this collapsing society.
Pathologic 2’s narrative experience is unique—its punishing gameplay mechanics reinforce the feeling of being trapped in an unforgiving world where survival itself is an achievement. This one isn’t about power or glory but about enduring when everything seems stacked against you.
10. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 transformed from a rocky launch into an immersive, narratively rich RPG that stands out in the 10 Best Single-Player RPGs Where You Start as a Nobody. You begin as V, a mercenary with no grand destiny—just a desperate climb through Night City’s ruthless underbelly. The game's heart lies in its:
- Dynamic character relationships — from the complex, love-hate bond with Johnny Silverhand to deep connections with Panam, Judy, and Kerry.
- Personal growth — every choice shapes V’s identity and fate, making your journey feel uniquely yours.
- Weight of decisions — dialogue and mission outcomes ripple through the story, altering alliances and consequences.
Night City feels alive; every gig, street encounter, or late-night ride crafts an unforgettable personal saga.