Outer Wilds. (Not to be confused with Outer Worlds which came out around the same time.) While the game is non-violent in that you never actively harm anything, your character will die, a lot, in maybe concerning ways (crushed, out of air, crashed, etc). It also has a story with themes that may be over your kids’ heads. Look up reviews to see more.
Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
121–130 of 452 posts
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#122It 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"
I was really enjoying Obra Dinn until I took a break from it. A few weeks away, I simply couldn’t find my place in the story/puzzle/mystery and was too stuck to move on.
I had to binge it for that reason. I kept telling myself to slow down, take the time to enjoy it, while actually going, hurry up or you will forget important details.
I also find I have to read books in one or two settings, I just loose the plot if it takes longer than that.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
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'.
Quoted post unavailable.
but if you actually read the OP
Yes, when someone asks for games that don't involve violence, guns, war and is suitable for playing with children, the answer is not 'something that's not Doom' but a game that doesn't involve violence, guns, war and is suitable for playing with children.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#124I am surprised that no one has mentioned Kerbal Space Program. Send little green women (and men) into space! You learn about physics, celestial bodies etc
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#125I tend to not like story, so the following might fall short of the story aspect:
* Fez
* Overcooked
* Animal Crossing
* Untitled Goose Game
* Baba is You (maybe?)
* Snakebird
* Stephen's Sausage Roll
* The Witness
* Rock Band (or it's ilk)
* Bernband (haven't played but looks interesting)
* Slime Rancher
* Mini Metro
* Journey
I would recommend "Unrailed" but there is a bit of violence with the robbers that come in that you can kill.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#126Assassins Creed Origins has an explore Egypt mode where there are no weapons and fighting just seeing things like the Pharohs Lighthouse, Library of Alexandria, pyramids of Giza, and the Nile River. It’s quite nice.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#127Untitled Goose Game is something my girls (11, 9), played collaboratively, and could not put down.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#128Stories involve conflict, and almost all conflict in video games are going to resemble violence in some way. Even the Super Mario games are violent if you want to look at them that way. If fantasy violence is okay, then Nintendo Zelda and Mario games are probably the best route.
Although a game like Mario Party might be the most fun non-violent option to play with kids (disclaimer: I have never played it).
EDIT: And Mario Kart of course. One of the greatest games to play with kids of all time. No story of course.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#129There are lots of good ones on Apple Arcade, if that’s an option for you.
Re: Ask HN: Non-violent video games with great stories?
#130Thomas Was Alone and To The Moon. Both absolute masterpieces.