Games Where You’re Not Just The Hero: You’re A Resident

Video games often feature epic space battles or incredibly powerful heroes, and those can be really fun. But sometimes, you might want something a little more down-to-earth. Games that focus on everyday life – just trying to live a normal, peaceful life in a town or city – can be just as enjoyable.

You can still be a hero when the opportunity arises, but these games also offer a more down-to-earth experience. They let you become part of a community and enjoy simpler, more relaxing activities as a local resident. These games capture that feeling really well.

6. Shenmue

Yokosuka Life

When a game is set in a specific city, that city needs to feel alive and interesting, not repetitive. The most successful game cities feel like characters themselves – bustling, diverse, and full of activities and memorable people. Ideally, the things you can do should even change as you play. Shenmue’s Yokosuka is a perfect example of this.

Yokosuka is a real Japanese city, and Sega did a remarkable job bringing it to life in the game. Maybe too much so. The story starts with a shocking murder – the protagonist Ryo’s father – and sets him off on a quest for revenge as the killer gets away. However, don’t expect a non-stop action game. Instead, you’ll spend your time immersed in everyday city life: tracking down people who might know something, having long conversations, and carefully searching for clues. You’ll quickly learn the daily schedules of everyone in Yokosuka, as they all stick to routines. Shenmue is a lot like other Dreamcast games: creative, imperfect, and experimental, but hasn’t always gotten the appreciation it deserves.

5. Persona 5

The Two Distinct Lives Of The Phantom Thieves

Being a Phantom Thief isn’t simple. The process of gaining powers is intense, and thieves have to juggle fighting villains in their palaces with the demands of everyday school life. Luckily, they have a safe haven to return to in the real world. For Ren Amamiya, known as Joker, that place is the lively neighborhood of Sangenjaya, home to Cafe LeBlanc.

The cafe is the gang’s meeting spot, Joker’s home with Sojiro Sakura, and a place to improve your character’s abilities. Since you only have limited time, you’ll need to choose activities carefully based on your current goals. Step outside, and you’ll find the Sangenjaya district, where Joker can shop, take on a huge food challenge, work a part-time job, and more. Like the game Shenmue, it feels like you’re truly part of a living community, rather than just moving between disconnected activities.

4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

The Normal Life You Were Denied

At the start of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Henry’s peaceful life in Skalitz is shattered by a sudden attack. He’s quickly drawn into a larger conflict following Sigismund’s invasion, and it becomes apparent he’s destined for a significant journey. While Henry couldn’t originally rebuild his destroyed home, the ‘From The Ashes’ expansion allowed players to do so in the town of Pribyslavitz.

Henry is appointed the village bailiff, a huge task that involves essentially rebuilding it from scratch. This gives him a chance to really connect with the community, as he chooses which buildings to restore, finds the necessary materials and money, and attracts new people to settle there. Working from the town hall, he gets to know the villagers, solves their problems, and earns a reputation as a respected leader.

3. Animal Crossing: New Leaf

The Heroic Mayor This Town Needed

The latest Animal Crossing game, New Horizons, came out at just the right time. The previous game, New Leaf, was a bit different – it was released on the 3DS and players became the town mayor. As mayor, you lived in the town like everyone else, but you also had the job of building and improving things, like the Club LOL, bridges, benches, and even unique statues.

While the ability to customize outdoor spaces in New Horizons has largely taken over this feature, it was neat to see players take on a new kind of role. It still keeps the focus on you being a town resident – you can shop, make friends, play games, send letters, and generally enjoy being a part of the community you’ve built.

2. Moonlighter

The Town’s Shopkeeper And Warrior

Local shopkeepers are essential to every community, providing the goods we need every day. It’s even better when those shopkeepers are also heroes! While it’s rare to find such people, the game Moonlighter tells the story of Will, a young man who balances running his family shop in the town of Rynoka with a secret life as a dungeon explorer. He ventures into dangerous dungeons at night to gather resources, which he then sells during the day to keep his shop, also called Moonlighter, stocked and thriving. The game cleverly connects these two different styles of play – dungeon crawling and shopkeeping – making them rely on each other.

Battles are straightforward, offering a variety of weapons – from quick and weaker ones to slow, powerful options, with a mix in between. You can also use bows for attacks from a distance. Improving your gear costs both money and specific items, creating a constant need to gather resources. As you develop the town, new people will move in, offering helpful services. Managing prices for goods can be quite complex if you choose to delve into the game’s systems. Overall, it’s a pleasant and engaging town to be a part of.

1. Stardew Valley

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Both Stardew Valley and Moonlighter offer a charming, pixelated world filled with friendly characters. You start as a newcomer, inheriting a farm that doesn’t seem ideal at first. But before you know it, that farm – and the town around it – will quickly feel like home.

The game’s incredible success comes down to many things, but especially the strong connections you build with the characters. Instead of being simple, repetitive characters, they feel like real friends, neighbors, and even potential partners. The joy of participating in seasonal festivals and establishing a daily rhythm as your farm and relationships grow hasn’t faded at all.

2026-01-06 11:35