One of the most interesting elements of the RPG genre is how much variety you can find from game to game. Even multiple games in the same franchise will often feature different approaches to storytelling and gameplay. One novel approach is when the game places you in direct control of a protagonist who isn't actually the main character of the story.
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This list is going to jump across a wide spectrum of games that handled this narrative angle differently. From protagonists who are player-created and remain a blank slate to clearly defined characters who just happen to be less important to the central narrative, we'll be covering a variety of approaches here.
White Knight Chronicles
White Knight Chronicles
- Released
- December 25, 2008
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Level 5, Japan Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Engine
- unreal engine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
This list is filled with great games that leverage your protagonist not being the main character in the story in interesting ways. In fact, I'd say there is only one other game on this list that doesn't qualify as being a classic (I just tipped my hand a little there). But White Knight Chronicles is an example of how to do it all wrong.
The hero of White Knight Chronicles is Leonard. You play his friend. His mute friend. A person who just awkwardly stands around as Leonard does stuff. I can honestly say that I have never felt less involved in a story in my life. Things happen to you in White Knight Chronicles, but your character is just sort of there. It feels bad, man. There is a reason this game was forgotten.
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
Rediscover Cyrodiil
Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
Navigate Your Own Story
From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
Experience an Epic Adventure
Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
The Complete Story
Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Virtuos, Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 123.2 GB
While the player character in Oblivion most certainly does quite a bit to move the plot forward, and is a very active participant throughout, Martin Septim is the central figure and the most important character in the game. That isn't really up for debate. Ultimately, Oblivion's story depicts the legend of Martin Septim.
There is a bit of a strange disconnect here, as so much of the game is you walking your own path, and choosing who you want to be in the world. However, no matter what decisions you make, the primary narrative stays fixed on Martin's progression from an unsure priest to the hero who defeated Mehrunes Dagon and brought an end to the Third Age.
Fallout 76
Taking the Fallout series into the MMO space, Fallout 76 is a prequel to the mainline games. You'll have to traverse the massive open world of Appalachia in order to build bases, survive, and grow stronger.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Creation
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
- Cross Save
- no
- Franchise
- Fallout
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Weak
- How Long To Beat
- 34 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 97 GB (May 2024)
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Wiki
- Metascore
- 53
While I have quite a few issues with Fallout 76, I'm not here to criticize it. I actually think the primary story in the game is sort of interesting. In it, you seek out the Overseer and follow her trail of breadcrumbs. Along the way, you'll encounter her holotapes, which act as the primary narrative thread. Nearly every step you take in your journey is dictated by these tapes. The voice of the Overseer teaches you about the world and fills in the blanks for the majority of the story.
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Every time you think you are about to encounter a pocket of survivors, you discover that they have been wiped out or have long since abandoned Appalachia. In fact, the trail of holotapes left by the Overseer eventually runs cold, with a forboding final message. The final leg of the journey sees you following in her footsteps and completing the mission she was not able to. You are still the hero in the end, but your actions are all dictated by the Overseer. She is the true main character of the story.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age
The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
- Released
- November 2, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T // Blood, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- EA Redwood Shores
- Publisher(s)
- EA
- Engine
- Unreal Engine
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
- How Long To Beat
- 22 Hours
If you want an example of the protagonist not being the main character, then it is hard to think of a more interesting case than The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. This isn't even a debate, the core premise of the game is that you play Berethor, Idrial, Elegost, and Hadhod, a haphazardly formed b-team following the fellowship's trail.
It is an enjoyable enough RPG, but with one of the most puzzling premises of all time. You are basically scooping up the crumbs of the real fellowship and, at times, acting like their support team. The Third Age never pretends to be anything more than a fanfictionalized retelling of the original story. And there won't be a second where you will confuse your team for being the main characters of this story.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Rebuild humanity on the mysterious planet Mira in this action RPG.
The year is 2054. Earth has been destroyed by an intergalactic war between two alien races, and humanity is on the brink of annihilation. A small number of survivors, aboard the USS White Whale, crash land on the vast and untamed planet Mira—and now it falls to you, as a member of BLADE, to help bring humanity back from the edge of extinction…with the aid of powerful giant robots called Skells!
Choose from a huge variety of special attacks, skills, and classes in a combat system that’s as deep as you want it to be. Once you’ve proven yourself to BLADE, you’ll earn the right to pilot and personalize your very own Skell—a powerful machine that can fly, transform into a vehicle for fast overland travel, and wield immense strength in combat with customizable weapons and armor.
As you go about the reconstruction effort, getting to know the people of New Los Angeles (NLA), you’ll build affinity with your party members and unlock quests for gear and other rewards. Join your choice of military organization within BLADE to take on even more missions—or even team up with up to 32 players from near and far online* in Squad Tasks, Online Missions, and extra-challenging Global Nemesis Battles!
- ESRB
- Teen // Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Xenoblade Chronicles
- Number of Players
- 1 (Single-Player), 1-32 (Multiplayer)
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles X takes a similar approach to White Knight Chronicles, but to a much better effect. There is no question of whom the protagonist is, and it's not the player character. Elma is unambiguously the hero of the story. Your role is to be her reliable ally, assisting her in the battle against the Ganglion.
Thankfully, your character does have a role in the story, they aren't just lifelessly standing on the sidelines. You are very much a classic silent protagonist, but one who is very clearly not the central protagonist.
Final Fantasy 12
Final Fantasy 12 transports us to Ivalice, in the midst of war between Archadia and Rozarria. Dalmasca is a helpless kingdom stuck in the middle, and home to wannabe sky pirate Vaan. Together with Dalmasca's princess and a motley crew of allies, they work to resist Archadian rule.
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Zodiac Engine 2.0
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 65 Hours
- Metascore
- 92
Famously, Final Fantasy 12 positions you from the perspective of Vaan, a down-on-his-luck thief. However, while Vaan is a plucky, likable hero, he isn't really a major player in the story. The primary mover here is Ashe. Being the heir to the Dalmasca kingdom, Ashe is the one calling the shots, looking to avenge her father and take back the throne.
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Of all the games on this list where your perspective is situated behind a side-character, Vaan is definitely one of the better defined. Final Fantasy 12 may actually be one of the best examples of this approach. He still gets to play a role in the adventure, he just isn't the central figure in the overarching narrative.
I didn't want to just fill this list with Final Fantasy entries, but it is worth noting that a similar claim could be made about Tidus in Final Fantasy X not being the primary protagonist.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Released
- February 4, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems, Nintendo SPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Unity
- Franchise
- Fire Emblem
- Platform(s)
- 3DS
Many newer Fire Emblem fans don't appreciate what a departure Awakening was for the franchise. Up until Awakening, every Fire Emblem game saw you play as that respective game's lord. Awakening, on the other hand, gives players the role of Robin, who is unquestionably a secondary character in Chrom's story.
That being said, Robin is a vital player in the story, and they get a lot of development, so he is far from being a blank slate character (despite how it may appear when you first start the game). Honestly, I think positioning the player behind Robin and making them Chrom's trusted advisor was a fantastic idea and works brilliantly. We still feel like we are a part of the story, even though we aren't the primary shaper of it.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square
Considered one of the greatest tactical RPGs of all time, Final Fantasy Tactics first launched in 1997 for the PlayStation, before being ported to the PSP. Created by some of the minds behind the Ogre series, it takes place in Ivalice during a war of succession.
- Publisher(s)
- Square, Sony Computer Entertainment
- Engine
- Luminous
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
I think this is, to some degree, a cheeky option. Ramza is an important, hidden figure in the history of Ivalice. The way the game is framed is that it is his story, which had been lost to time. However, while Ramza may be the protagonist of the game, Final Fantasy Tactics is still the story of Delita's ascension. The first chapter of the story most certainly depicts the death of Ramza's naivete, but more than anything, it firmly establishes Delita's origin story.
Delita may leave the party from that point onward, we still follow his story, and see the direct impact he has on it. While Ramza looks to separate himself from the machinations of the noble class, Delita is the one who is actively looking to undermine their control altogether. In the end, many of Ramza's actions were guided by Delita. Ramza is a leaf on the wind, caught up in something he detests, but Delita is the wind itself, guiding his path.
When all is said and done, we don't know what becomes of Ramza. His story is lost to history. He is undoubtingly an important figure, but he's an important figure in Delita's story.
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