Post apocalyptic non-combat focused RPGs

[Retornodelogay]

A quick search didn't return anything, so opening a new thread. I've been reading Tengoku Daimakyo recently and I love the general vibe of Maru and Kiruko's side of the story, which made me think that I don't know that many post apocalyptic RPGs (or games in general) in which the combat is not the central mechanic. I don't mean necessarily that it doesn't happen, but that it's not the only encouraged thing. The Fallout series arguably comes to mind (with caveats, and depends on the entry), but I would love to hear some recommendations, especially on retro consoles aka up to PS Vita, but I'm open to anything.

So, do you know any games with this premise? Any overlooked games out there that you love?

 

[LV20 Succubus]

Closest thing that comes to mind is 60 Seconds. But that's a bit of a stretch.

 

[PSVitaForever]

When I read "rpg" combat immediately comes to mind, be it action or turn-based. I can't really think of a RPG without battle, if there are not battles maybe I would put it in the "adventure" or "visual novel" genre. Also, I never played "Fallout", now I'll go and make myself some knowledge on youtube.

On Vita in particular, I can recommend "Freedom Wars" (no longer exclusive after the remaster) and "God Eater", both set in post-apocalyptic areas, but of course both of them focus heavily on battle.

Non-rpg, I can recommend "Race the Sun": there's no plot, just you and your ship going as far as you can before the sun sets, but in regions after the second one you can strongly feel an "apocalyptic" feeling because of the eerie architectures and colours and explosions.

 

[Ferik]

While it's true that you can pacifist or near pacifist run the majority of Fallout games, the issue is it generally requires you to really know what you're doing so they are generally quite combat heavy in spots if you're going in blind. For example in the first game even with a non-combat build you pretty much will have to fight your way through the Military Base and The Boneyard on your first playthrough even though the areas are technically entirely optional, and getting the non-combat win against the final boss is pretty tricky.

 

[Ezri_Muldoon]

UnderRail
I mean, it's a Fallout 2 successor and whilst it's a combat grindfest against the local wildlife you can avoid combat with most NPC's with enough social stats.
...
In the same way you can play Planescape Torment as a pacifist and complete a none combat run.
You're not going to accomplish it in the first playthrough.

KENSHI
Start a farm. Be a wandering trader. Join the church. Hire a party to do all the combat for you. Good luck.
Freedom included the freedom to fail.

 

[qw90700]

the combat is not the central mechanic. I don't mean necessarily that it doesn't happen, but that it's not the only encouraged thing. The Fallout series arguably comes to mind

*ahem*

I understand what you mean. You mean non-action games, me smartz lol.

So then IDK I can recommend this?: https://retrogametalk.com/repository/nes-roms/god-slayer-haruka-tenkuu-no-sonata-english-patched/

Otherwise I know some non-RPG non-combat focused post apocalyptic games but other RPGs are rather more combat focused than Fallout like Wasteland and Metal Max series. Perhaps you may even strech Hard Truck Apocalypse as trading simulator RPG instead lol.

Edit: I also can recommend G.O.D: Growth Or Devolution on SNES I guess. I checked it has English patch now but it doesn't exist on this website. Retro Game Talk ike ike fetch the game lol.

 

[Retornodelogay]

Closest thing that comes to mind is 60 Seconds. But that's a bit of a stretch.

That's an interesting one. Maybe not as story or character focused as what I might be looking for, but I may give it a go sometime.

When I read "rpg" combat immediately comes to mind, be it action or turn-based. I can't really think of a RPG without battle, if there are not battles maybe I would put it in the "adventure" or "visual novel" genre. Also, I never played "Fallout", now I'll go and make myself some knowledge on youtube.

On Vita in particular, I can recommend "Freedom Wars" (no longer exclusive after the remaster) and "God Eater", both set in post-apocalyptic areas, but of course both of them focus heavily on battle.

Non-rpg, I can recommend "Race the Sun": there's no plot, just you and your ship going as far as you can before the sun sets, but in regions after the second one you can strongly feel an "apocalyptic" feeling because of the eerie architectures and colours and explosions.

I totally get where you're coming from. Still, when I think of RPG I also think of tabletop games, a lot of which are based on pure roleplaying and character stats not related to combat (charisma is the obvious, but far from the only one). Say, if we got rid of Persona's combat, I'd still say that's an RPG through and through, for example.

Anyway. I love Freedom Wars, and actually managed to snatch a physical copy many years ago. I know of God Eater, and maybe I should try it sometime because it seems right up my alley.

While it's true that you can pacifist or near pacifist run the majority of Fallout games, the issue is it generally requires you to really know what you're doing so they are generally quite combat heavy in spots if you're going in blind. For example in the first game even with a non-combat build you pretty much will have to fight your way through the Military Base and The Boneyard on your first playthrough even though the areas are technically entirely optional, and getting the non-combat win against the final boss is pretty tricky.

Yeah, 100%. Still, I think it kinda fits in the sense that combat exists, but it's not the only focus at all. When I think of my favourite Fallout moments, shooting or hitting someone is basically never there. But yeah, at some points it's basically compulsory, which I'm somewhat okay with.

Underrail​

I mean, it's a Fallout 2 successor and whilst it's a combat grindfest against the local wildlife you can avoid combat with most NPC's with enough social stats.
...
In the same way you can play Planescape Torment as a pacifist and complete a none combat run.
You're not going to accomplish it in the first playthrough.

KENSHI
Start a farm. Be a wandering trader. Join the church. Hire a party to do all the combat for you. Good luck.
Freedom included the freedom to fail.

Underrail seems cool as hell, but Kenshi might've just hit the jackpot. It's exactly what I was looking for. From the looks of it it's gonna be an intimidating one, but in a "losing is fun" kinda way. Thanks!

 

[Ezri_Muldoon]

Underrail seems cool as hell, but Kenshi might've just hit the jackpot. It's exactly what I was looking for. From the looks of it it's gonna be an intimidating one, but in a "losing is fun" kinda way. Thanks!

Kenshi is a glorious sandbox RPG. It has more in common with Dwarf Fortress than Fallout as it strives to be a fully simulated world you just happen to reside in.
If you can self motivate yourself it's incredible. Just have it in the back of your mind that if you go out on a two week long cross continent journey the settlement you departed from may be under new management when you return.
And if you make your own settlement (completely optional but cool) be aware of who your neighbour are and their relations to the Holy nation

Church is serious business in the apocalypse.

 

[Retornodelogay]

View attachment 104117

*ahem*

I understand what you mean. You mean non-action games, me smartz lol.

So then IDK I can recommend this?: https://retrogametalk.com/repository/nes-roms/god-slayer-haruka-tenkuu-no-sonata-english-patched/

Otherwise I know some non-RPG non-combat focused post apocalyptic games but other RPGs are rather more combat focused than Fallout like Wasteland and Metal Max series. Perhaps you may even strech Hard Truck Apocalypse as trading simulator RPG instead lol.

Edit: I also can recommend G.O.D: Growth Or Devolution on SNES I guess. I checked it has English patch now but it doesn't exist on this website. Retro Game Talk ike ike fetch the game lol.

Whoah, that first one is pretty high concept for an NES game. Not exactly what I was looking for with this thread, but I'm interested nonetheless.
I've heard of Metal Max and they caught my eye too. Hard Truck Apocalypse might be, indeed, stretching it lol, but who knows!
Now, as to G.O.D... I don't even know if that fits because I don't even know if it fits everywhere according to that description. I'm intrigued though, that's for sure.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I have heard that Wasteland lets you do a bunch of non-combat-related things, but I haven't actually played it myself.

 

[Smyth200788]

This War Of Mine is an interesting ps4 game. Cant remember if its post apocalyptic per say but it definitely takes place in a decaying society were you and others have to search for food, water and medical supplies

 

[jankusanagi jankusanagi]

Edit: I also can recommend G.O.D: Growth Or Devolution on SNES I guess. I checked it has English patch now but it doesn't exist on this website. Retro Game Talk ike ike fetch the game lol.

Do you mean this one?

G.O.D: Mezame yo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe (English Patched) SNES ROM – RGT Repository

G.O.D: Mezame yo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe (English Patched) SNES ROM Languages: English Patched, Japanese. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Maybe Stray?

A puzzle-platformer where you play as a cat. I can't remember though if it's a post-apocalypse, or more of a dystopian future kinda thing.

 

[bjork]

Two games that fit "post apocalypse" and "non-combat focused" but not the RPG trappings are the two Submerged games. They're pure exploration in a world that has flooded, so you ride a little boat around and climb on buildings to sort out the story. There's also very little in the way of narrative, but you piece it together eventually.

 

[qw90700]

Do you mean this one?

G.O.D: Mezame yo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe (English Patched) SNES ROM – RGT Repository

G.O.D: Mezame yo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe (English Patched) SNES ROM Languages: English Patched, Japanese. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

Oh, yeah, I searched by its English-translated name in a hurry!!! Good to know they actually use romaji names lol.

 

[Netra]

Wonder Project J: Kikai no Shonen Pino (J+English Patched) SNES ROM – RGT Repository

Wonder Project J: Kikai no Shonen Pino (J+English Patched) SNES ROM Languages: English Patched, Japanese. For the Super NES.

retrogametalk.com

 

[PhrawzT]

Death Stranding if you put it on easy. It makes the few boss battles much easier to go though and focus more on exploration.

Horizon also has a story focused difficulty setting that cuts down on the combat.

 

[Rasetz BK201]

That description comes to mind: Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead is available for both PC and other platforms, and also has several mods.

 

[Retornodelogay]

Gonna answer everyone in one post, sorry about the length

I have heard that Wasteland lets you do a bunch of non-combat-related things, but I haven't actually played it myself.

Yeah, I've heard great things about the new Wastelands as well. Maybe I should give them a go, since they're basically the True Fallout Sequels (and not the Bethesda ones, which I love nonetheless).

This War Of Mine is an interesting ps4 game. Cant remember if its post apocalyptic per say but it definitely takes place in a decaying society were you and others have to search for food, water and medical supplies

Oof, I own TWOM, but it always seemed way too bleak. Totally fits the description, although I think it's a warzone from a civilian perspective and not post apocalyptic. In any case with World Going Ons I think it would make me kinda sick to play it. Great recommendation though!

Maybe Stray?
View attachment 104151
A puzzle-platformer where you play as a cat. I can't remember though if it's a post-apocalypse, or more of a dystopian future kinda thing.

Wait, is it? I was invested with just the "you're a cat" premise.

Two games that fit "post apocalypse" and "non-combat focused" but not the RPG trappings are the two Submerged games. They're pure exploration in a world that has flooded, so you ride a little boat around and climb on buildings to sort out the story. There's also very little in the way of narrative, but you piece it together eventually.

These ones look gorgeous! And they've reminded me of Sable, which I love dearly. I don't know if I would call it strictly post-apocalyptic (because it's set very, very post apocalypse, with society somewhat rebuilt) but it also fits the definition quite well: no combat, just going at your own pace, talking to people and discovering yourself. Also the artistic style is jawdropping.

Death Stranding if you put it on easy. It makes the few boss battles much easier to go though and focus more on exploration.

Horizon also has a story focused difficulty setting that cuts down on the combat.

Death Stranding is a good one, although I've already played quite a bit of it. The combat always seemed kind of out of place to me, and I've read that they've doubled down on it for the sequel? Which is weird.
Horizon is pretty cool, but the gameplay (not the world) seemed kinda generic to me and I ended up dropping it pretty early.

That description comes to mind: Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead is available for both PC and other platforms, and also has several mods.

This seems levels of complexity way beyond what my brain is capable of. But it's open source so maybe I'll give it a quick spin? Also it's surprisingly on Android, don't know how well it will control on my Retroid but I'm gonna try anyway.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Wait, is it? I was invested with just the "you're a cat" premise.

I think so. I mainly remember there only being robot people. There's probably something in the lore that explained it, but I can't remember exactly.

 

[Rasetz BK201]

Gonna answer everyone in one post, sorry about the length

Yeah, I've heard great things about the new Wastelands as well. Maybe I should give them a go, since they're basically the True Fallout Sequels (and not the Bethesda ones, which I love nonetheless).

Oof, I own TWOM, but it always seemed way too bleak. Totally fits the description, although I think it's a warzone from a civilian perspective and not post apocalyptic. In any case with World Going Ons I think it would make me kinda sick to play it. Great recommendation though!

Wait, is it? I was invested with just the "you're a cat" premise.

These ones look gorgeous! And they've reminded me of Sable, which I love dearly. I don't know if I would call it strictly post-apocalyptic (because it's set very, very post apocalypse, with society somewhat rebuilt) but it also fits the definition quite well: no combat, just going at your own pace, talking to people and discovering yourself. Also the artistic style is jawdropping.
View attachment 104598

Death Stranding is a good one, although I've already played quite a bit of it. The combat always seemed kind of out of place to me, and I've read that they've doubled down on it for the sequel? Which is weird.
Horizon is pretty cool, but the gameplay (not the world) seemed kinda generic to me and I ended up dropping it pretty early.

This seems levels of complexity way beyond what my brain is capable of. But it's open source so maybe I'll give it a quick spin? Also it's surprisingly on Android, don't know how well it will control on my Retroid but I'm gonna try anyway.

Once you get used to the keyboard shortcuts, the only thing left to do is try to survive in the game. I started playing it for Android, but it's not fully optimized if you can play it on PC.

 

[Retornodelogay]

Once you get used to the keyboard shortcuts, the only thing left to do is try to survive in the game. I started playing it for Android, but it's not fully optimized if you can play it on PC.

Yeah, I tried it on my Retroid and couldn't get past the character creator. Gotta download it on PC and try it here. Thanks again for the recommendation!