Kenshi (2018)

A rescue, a lost limb or an improvised trade route can become a story you helped make. Kenshi's refusal to appoint you the world's special hero gives those small achievements unusual weight. It also leaves you with weak recruits, rough navigation and long periods of training or recovery before a plan comes together. The sandbox does not provide a tidy quest line to pull you forward. Choose it if setting your own goals is exciting; if you need momentum supplied by the game, admiration may be enough.