Best Games Where You Don’t Have To Kill Anyone

by

Summary

  • Many video games offer non-violent gameplay options, from stealth to pacifism, providing a unique and engaging experience.
  • Examples like Spider-Man and Dishonored showcase gameplay that prioritizes non-lethal approaches to encounters.
  • Undertale stands out for its emphasis on non-lethal solutions, subverting traditional RPG mechanics for a more satisfying experience.

For individuals who prefer non-violent entertainment in their video games, there’s a wide array of choices available. A popular recent option is the game “Balatro”, which focuses on poker, or you could try “A Short Hike” that features a small bird going on a peaceful hiking adventure. There’s also the passive Metroidvania style game, “Disney Illusion Island“, worth exploring.

It’s simpler to discover games devoid of violence if they don’t heavily rely on it from the start. However, identifying violent video games with passive elements can be more challenging. Some options might be immediately apparent, while others may tread a fine line. These games provide non-lethal paths for players, ranging from RPGs to shooters, each handling the theme of pacifism uniquely.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

A True Superhero

In the case of Marvel’s Spider-Man, there’s a bit of an exception to the rule, as the character from the comics abides by a no-kill policy similar to Batman. However, in the game, players don’t actually kill their enemies; instead, they render them unconscious with a few strikes.

Players don’t necessarily need to engage in massive battles with all their adversaries. Instead, they can quietly neutralize them from hidden spots or use gadgets to take them down. It might seem implausible, but Spider-Man will always webbed his foes, even if it’s from the sides of towering skyscrapers, preserving the character’s pacifist disposition.

Perfect Dark

A Disarming Personality

Perfect Dark is one of the infrequent stealth games developed by Rare. The main character, Joanna, has the ability to charge through levels like a standard FPS hero who enjoys blasting enemies with gunfire. However, players also have the option to disarm opponents, forcing them to give up, or knock their adversaries out with a punch.

Despite the modernized version, it doesn’t quite match up with today’s gaming trends, yet it serves as an excellent demonstration of a game that accommodates those who prefer a passive playing style, should they so choose.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The Best Of Humanity

In “Deus Ex: Human Revolution”, the focus is heavily on crafting and tailoring characters, extending far beyond just modifying Adam’s appearance. Players have the freedom to arm him with an assortment of potent cybernetics, transforming him into a formidable combatant, similar to any robots featured in the “Terminator” film series.

They could additionally impart him extensive expertise in stealth and hacking to help reduce potential conflicts with adversaries. This game, particularly its passive approach, stands out as a distinct cyberpunk title compared to Cyberpunk 2077, which leans more towards action-oriented gameplay. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is another notable example following this game in the series.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Avoid The Void Out

Death Stranding 2: Shores Unbound

In this sequel, protagonist Sam resumes his mission to reconnect a post-cataclysmic world by transporting cargo. In the original game, players navigated primarily by staying inconspicuous from both human military personnel and spectral adversaries known as BTs. This was necessary because any act of lethal force would shatter fragments of the world, thereby encouraging gamers to find non-violent solutions.

In the subsequent story, Kojima ingeniously navigated around a seemingly overlooked rule, expanding the possibilities for diverse combat situations significantly. Instead of traditional lethal methods, there are numerous non-lethal approaches available to subdue adversaries. For instance, capturing BTs much like catching Pokemon or using rubber bullets or tranquilizers on human enemies are among these new tactics.

Mirror’s Edge

Package Delivery

In Mirror’s Edge, the main character isn’t a courier in a post-apocalyptic wasteland but rather a highly respected runner named Faith. Her tasks range from delivering packages to gathering intelligence.

The action-adventure game titled “Mirror’s Edge” debuted at the peak of parkour’s trend, emphasizing continuous movement as the main mechanic for both traversal and combat. Players would occasionally encounter armed guards; they could either slip by them or disarm them followed by a physical takedown. While shooting was an option, it wasn’t particularly beneficial compared to other strategies.

Dishonored

Beware The Rats!

In a similar vein to Death Stranding 2, the game Dishonored includes an in-game mechanic that encourages players to spare their enemies rather than kill them. As players eliminate more foes, they find themselves surrounded by increasingly numerous guards as they advance. Furthermore, the presence of rats multiplies when players cause more destruction, making it progressively challenging to traverse the city and ultimately steering the story towards a much grimmer conclusion.

Equipped with extraordinary abilities, Corvo can evade foes undetected or render them unconscious for an easier mission. Interestingly, taking lives increases the difficulty of the game, which suits players who thrive on the thrill of tough, stealth-based challenges.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Even Bosses Hate Darts

Despite Hideo Kojima, the director of both Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Death Stranding 2, often incorporating action into his games, he frequently offers players non-violent alternatives as well. Consequently, many Metal Gear games provide non-lethal choices, with Metal Gear Solid 3 being one of the most notable examples of this approach.

The game provides a tranquilizer gun for the snake character at the start, capable of causing both animals and people to fall asleep. Notably, even the bosses in the game possess a health bar that does not result in their death, and players are generously rewarded if they manage to defeat these bosses non-lethally. Without giving away too much, there’s a significant reason in the game why killing should be avoided, which is cleverly unveiled as part of Kojima’s innovative storytelling and gameplay mechanics towards the end of the game.

Undertale

Talk It Out

It appears that Undertale was designed to challenge conventional notions about what a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) could be. In this game, players can follow the traditional path, engaging in combat, defeating enemies, and earning experience points. Yet, it offers an unusual twist: instead of fighting, players can choose to defend themselves and engage in dialogue to peacefully resolve conflicts, thereby sparing their adversary.

In Undertale, throughout the game, even with the bosses, you’ll find that defeating enemies doesn’t lead to their death, offering a non-lethal approach. This method guarantees the most fulfilling conclusion and is essentially the recommended way to experience the game. However, for those who prefer it, there are also options with more aggressive approaches available too.

Read More

2025-09-11 05:38