Summary
- Players in modern video games can pursue non-lethal combat options when dealing with enemies.
- Games like Watch Dogs 2, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and Cyberpunk 2077 offer diverse ways to subdue opponents without killing them.
- Non-lethal combat options in these games provide players with more engaging and morally conscious gameplay experiences.
In the modern era, players expect more from their video games than ever before. Combat may be fast-paced and violent in the majority of these titles, but some players don't mind non-lethal options to let them choose how they can tackle any given objective. Some games go the extra mile, ensuring that combat is non-violent at all times to adhere to the main character's principles.
Either way, the non-lethal combat options in these games are a joy to explore. These open-world games make sure that players can humiliate their enemies, while letting them live to see another day.
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Watch Dogs 2
Players Can Pursue Non-Lethal Options In Combat
Watch Dogs 2
- Released
- November 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
Watch Dogs 2 is a great sequel that addresses many of the problems from the first game. The story is more upbeat, hacking options are expanded, and players don't have to be on a murderous quest to shoot down anything standing in their way.
Marcus can use what looks like a very deadly yo-yo to strangle opponents in stealth or knock them out in combat. Along with this, players have a wealth of non-lethal options to choose from if they don't want to turn their enemies into Swiss cheese once they're spotted.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Despite The Crunchy Combat, Batman Still Never Kills
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Arkham Knight is a game that people have slowly warmed up to over time. Despite some issues with the Batmobile and the story, the game feel is so strong that players won't have any issues with what this title has to offer after a point.
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Batman never kills, but he sure loves breaking a thug's bones and leaving them with medical debt. Even the Batmobile can't run over thugs and kill them. Instead, an electrical shock ensures that they're knocked out if they come in contact with the vehicle, no matter how fast it may be moving during the point of contact.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The Sequel Enhances The Non-Lethal Options
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Released
- August 23, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The gameplay of the Adam Jensen Deus Ex games makes for a stylish immersive sim that fans can't get enough of. Even with Mankind Divided's problems, the core gameplay is such a blast that players will forgive it for any other faults.
It helps that non-lethal options are expanded in this game compared to the first. Players have the opportunity to use non-lethal versions of powerful attacks like Typhoon to ensure that they don't miss out on any cool moves because of their playstyle. It's a small yet welcome change that ensures players won't have any issues with what this title has to offer.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Players Have More Non-Lethal Options Than Ever
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
The first Death Stranding game made it a point to dissuade players from killing enemies, since it could lead to the dead body becoming a Beached Thing if it doesn't get its last rites. This encouraged players to avoid direct confrontation in the game, but the sequel doesn't face this problem.
Almost every weapon in this game has a non-lethal switch that causes enemies to get knocked out instead of dying. This makes combat more approachable, without punishing players for killing too many people in one go.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Players Are Encouraged To Knock Out Skilled Enemies And Recruit Them
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
Another Kojima game where the non-lethal approach is encouraged, The Phantom Pain's wide variety of creative options ensures that players will love powering through this amazing open-world game. Snake can become a stealthy and efficient operative who takes out entire outposts without being spotted.
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In fact, players are encouraged to spare soldiers with high skills, since they can be a valuable addition to Mother Base. The game's non-lethal options are entertaining, and the incentive players have to pursue this approach makes The Phantom Pain perfect for pacifists.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
The Spider-Men Make It A Point To Only Knock Out Enemies
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Spider-Man may beat enemies to a pulp, but he never kills. Thugs are always incapacitated and tied up so that the police can do their job and help reform these criminals, with the game going to painstaking lengths to ensure that the Spider-Men don't accidentally become criminals themselves.
Even if enemies are thrown off roofs, a stray web will ensure that they don't fall to their deaths. Even enemies that have objects fall on them from a great height never die, ensuring that players can buy into the fantasy of being the Spectacular Spider-Man.
Cyberpunk 2077
V Can Use Non-Lethal Options In Combat, If They Wish
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
While it may be fun to cut enemies apart with katanas and blast them into smithereens with shotguns, players who want to opt for the non-lethal approach in this game can definitely do so. Blunt instruments and weapon mods ensure that players can turn V into a pacifist in almost every combat encounter.
Even with the lack of gore, taking out opponents is still a blast as V sends them to sleep with their weaponry and abilities. With the revamped combat of Cyberpunk 2077 following Update 2.0, the non-lethal approach is more fun than ever before.
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