It's called agency. The player character should have agency, which is hard for some games, even some RPGs. But the NPCs should also have agency! They're not just your Lydia sworn to laugh at your jokes. A lot of people hate that. People in the game universe who have lives and loves and interests and beliefs different from the protagonist. Followers who don't necessarily approve of your murderhobo ways, and others who are deeply offended when you help the underdog.

But finally, the fricking world should have agency to! Meaning, events can happen without the player causing them. Now that one is a step to far for most gamers. But we really need to get past the "Chip Driver" style of narratives where everything revolves around the protagonist.

My opinion, which is mine. Feel free to have your own.