Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#91

Post by Filligree » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:18 PM UTC

sterlind wrote: post #72

crabbygrabby wrote: post #53

Earthbound snes. Yes you fight things with frying pans, yoyos, etc but the only violent scene in the whole game is a fly dies in a very dramatic way. All of the fights are turn based without violent animations. The story is great, but don't be afraid to use a guide the first time through.

Undertale too, in a similar genre. You don't have to fight almost anyone ever, and that's how you get the best ending.

They will fight you, however. There’s no shortage of violence, you just aren’t allowed to fight back.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#92

Post by bombcar » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:18 PM UTC

slim wrote: post #81

Since we're here any recommendations for a two player collaborative game I can play with my 4yo son ? I would be preferably able to assist/protect him. Right now we are playing twinbee and arkanoid for snes

Check out the Lego games - they’re perfectly designed to let a good player assist a weaker player without the weaker feeling they’re doing nothing.

If you emulate - Super Mario Galaxy had “pointer mode” for an assist player.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#93

Post by laserdancepony » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:20 PM UTC

Armikrog. Claymation point and click adventure with heck of a story and nice riddles.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#94

Post by bombcar » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:22 PM UTC

bongobingo1 wrote: post #82

bombcar wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They technically have a bit of cartoon violence, but they’re very good. Portal doesn’t have guns or violence as such, but not much of a story either - quite fun.

Portal has machine gun turrets that shoot you until you are dead. The entire end is pretty violent, probably act 2-3 really.

Yeah, depends on if you count “enemy violence” vs violence you inflict yourself ( though if I recall getting a turret to shoot another turret was sometimes an option even in Portal ).

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#95

Post by bananaoomarang » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:23 PM UTC

Outer Wilds I think has a great story, and is a modern evolution of a Myst point and click sort of thing with more physics. The base game I think is suitable for kids but may be difficult to play, the DLC on the other hand is pretty creepy so maybe not for kids!

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#96

Post by marginalia_nu » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:23 PM UTC

pvg wrote: post #62

marginalia_nu wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Violence isn't the point of the game, but the gritty backdrop. It's a philosophical treatsie thinly disguised as a game about a cop with a mid life crisis.

Sure but it permeates the whole thing. It's a violent game, you just don't happen to be the agent of the violence. Still the opposite of 'non-violent game'.

No post body was provided.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#97

Post by wolfram74 » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:24 PM UTC

Filligree wrote: post #91

sterlind wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Undertale too, in a similar genre. You don't have to fight almost anyone ever, and that's how you get the best ending.

They will fight you, however. There’s no shortage of violence, you just aren’t allowed to fight back.

I wouldn't say you aren't /allowed/, just that there is some attempt to make you feel like there are consequences for it.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#98

Post by shagie » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:24 PM UTC

cricalix wrote: post #71

Machinarium is a puzzle solver. No major violence (bullying by another robot happens). Cities: Skylines - tell your own story as you build a city. Farming Simulator - again a “tell your own story” setup, since it has no storyline. Braid is a platformer with neat mechanics, not sure about deep story, since I never got far in it.

> Braid is a platformer with neat mechanics, not sure about deep story, since I never got far in it.

This one gets interesting. I believe it safe to say that it isn't going to be what you expect. It's not so much a deep narrative story but rather a philosophical one.

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#99

Post by somat » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:26 PM UTC

It may not meet your criteria for non-violent, or I suspect your kids requirement for interest but... you never know.

"Return of the Obra Dinn" has some of the finest game story telling I have ever experienced, the story it told was ok, a good serviceable story, but nothing exceptional. However the way it was told was amazing, I found it a highly satisfying experience.

Made by Lucus Pope who also made "Papers Please"

Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?

#100

Post by aedocw » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 2:27 PM UTC

I can't believe nobody else has mentioned It Takes Two. It's one of the most imaginative games I have ever played, and my kids and I had a fantastic time playing it. Excellent story, creative mechanics, and teamwork is required through the whole game.