Best Story-Driven RPGs With Minimal Combat

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Summary

  • cRPGs evolved from combat-focused games to storytelling, offering players the choice to avoid violent encounters.
  • Torment: Tides of Numenera and Age of Decadence prioritize diplomacy over combat, rewarding players with a rich narrative experience.
  • Games like The Council, Outer Worlds, and Fallout: New Vegas emphasize player freedom, offering engaging stories with dialogue-based gameplay.

Roleplaying games on computers evolved from traditional paper-based roleplaying games, which stemmed from strategic war games involving dice, miniatures, and a gaming board. Notably, it is understandable why many computer RPGs retain the combat aspect that is inherent to their roots.

Over time, much like my favorite tabletop game, Dungeons & Dragons, has evolved beyond a purely combat-focused experience, so too have computer games that I adore shift from being mere hack-and-slash adventures to ones steeped in rich narratives and character development. In fact, certain titles within this genre have taken it upon themselves to prioritize captivating story arcs, intriguing dialogues, and unexpected plot twists as the very essence of gameplay.

Torment: Tides of Numenera

Using Diplomacy And Tact To Win The Day

In the game Torment: Tides of Numenea, there are numerous battles, yet the game’s design allows for many combat encounters to be bypassed, particularly for those with a knack for diplomacy. Since players earn experience points primarily through completing quests, those more interested in the storyline than in testing their strategic skills won’t feel left behind in level progression.

The ability to avoid or settle conflicts using clever language instead of physical combat hinges on the character’s build. Choosing the “nano” class offers benefits in this aspect, but for those seeking an engaging narrative, the “jack” with the “charming” trait and a focus on improving “persuasion” and “perception” skills is the optimal choice.

Age of Decadence

Buying Bypasses With Lies And Wealth

In the game titled “Age of Decadence“, despite being set in a fictional world, it places significant importance on realism. Gamers delve into an empire reminiscent of Rome, fraught with peril and suspicion. Unlike many other Computer Role-Playing Games (CRPGs), confronting numerous adversaries in this game can lead to an immediate defeat, emphasizing the need for strategic decision making.

It’s completely feasible to navigate the hurdles of the game “Age of Decadence” by adopting a tactful strategy, such as selecting the smooth-talking “grifter” or shrewd “merchant” character types, prioritizing the “charisma” attribute, and concentrating significantly on the “disguise,” “etiquette,” “persuasion,” “streetwise,” and “trading” skills.

The Council

Solving Problems With Skills Of A More Enlightened Age

In some critical scenarios, weapons may not be present, and creatures of horror aren’t necessarily characterized by glowing red eyes or menacing claws. The Council, in this case, transports players into the perspective of Louis de Richet, a member of an enigmatic society, who embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth behind his mother’s vanishing on a secluded island populated by influential historical figures.

From the start of the narrative in “The Council“, the specter of violence hangs heavy, yet battling the island’s monsters isn’t an option for the player character Louis, who is crafted as either a detective, diplomat, or occultist. Each role brings unique benefits and challenges to the investigation.

The Outer Worlds

Worlds Of Possibility

Upon debut, certain reviewers assigned shorter scores to “The Outer Worlds ” due to its length. Yet, it compensates amply for this aspect with its emphasis on player autonomy. There’s no shortage of combative encounters in the colonies for those seeking them, and remarkably, one ending is contingent upon the player eliminating every single NPC within the game.

If players prefer an adventure rich in dialogue and storytelling, they should focus on improving their speech skills and stealth abilities. This choice will grant them access to deeper insights about non-player characters (NPCs) and companions, allowing them to explore the world without resorting to frequent combat or reducing many creatures to a red, ashy residue.

Planescape: Torment

Considered One Of The Early Great Storytelling Achievements In cRPGs

In conversations about compelling storytelling in video games, it’s quite common for “Planescape: Torment” to be mentioned. Despite the presence of guards and bandits throughout the game world, you can often defuse conflicts by leveraging your high charisma, intelligence, and wisdom attributes.

If all else fails, slipping away or fleeing might be an acceptable alternative. However, it’s important to note that Planescape was created in a specific era, so there will be instances where fighting is the only choice. It’s worth mentioning that many situations requiring combat originate from optional regions and missions.

Gamedec

Solving Virtual Crimes Rather Than Causing Them

In a reality where digital universes rule supreme, the protagonist assumes the role of a “gamedec,” an intriguing blend of detective work and software engineering problem-solving skills. These virtual worlds have grown just as perilous as our physical existence, making it crucial to resolve each case to ensure that the inhabitants can continue enjoying their digital experiences without the threat of danger.

Despite the absence of combat in Gamedec, the narrative delves profoundly into gloomy and mysterious depths. A character’s destiny in this game could be shaped more adversely by their detective abilities, or lack thereof, than by a brutal demise.

Fallout: New Vegas

A Silver Tongue, A Gold Rush, And A Platinum Chip

As a gamer, I can personally attest that Fallout: New Vegas, unlike Bethesda’s vision for the Fallout series, gives me the freedom to embrace my inner Road Warrior or maintain peace in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert. It’s all about how well I can avoid detection or talk my way out of trouble with greasy con artists, anachronistic gangsters, psychopathic slavers, and other remnants of dark Americana. Obsidian really knows how to weave a compelling narrative into their games!

In New Vegas, it’s possible for players to finish the game without causing any harm at all, even against the final boss, provided they strategize well and select appropriate skills beforehand. What makes this especially noteworthy is that the intricately crafted narrative of the game ranks among the best in RPG genre history. This means thoughtful pacifists who opt out of excessive violence will find a rich, engaging storyline to appreciate.

Disco Elysium

The Cop That Asks Questions First, Then Shoots Into An Existential Crisis Later

Disco Elysium seeks to immerse players in an entirely novel universe (even though only one book, “The Sacred and Terrible Air”, was actually penned), eschewing conventional combat scenes for immersive, detailed conversation sequences that span over a million words within the script. The world of Disco Elysium also dynamically responds to player choices.

In Elysium, a world rich with over a million lines of dialogue, the space for a traditional combat system was limited. However, beyond the persistent economic struggles between capital owners and workers, there are at least two instances that could be considered as ‘final test’-like boss battles, although they differ significantly from how such encounters would unfold in a game with a dedicated combat system.

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2025-01-13 08:14