well the equipment, skills and locations you start differ from what you chose at the beginning of the game, when you are asked some questions.
for example if you chose steppe child you get more riding skills. If you take huntsman you start with a bolt. So try answering the first questions in a different way and you get some new combinations.
Furthermore, there are tons of mods for singleplayer including new items, mechanics,factions,units and much more. Just have a look in the Mods-Forums and take a peek here and there