Games may not cause violence, but no one can deny that a lot of them heavily revolve around it. Some might say violence is a useful mechanism to depict conflict and struggle making for a perfect ingredient in storytelling and gameplay. Another probable reason is that our society overall has an obsession with violence and media simply reflects that obsession.

I wanted to have a look at some video games that completely ignore violent objectives, finding alternative ways to motivate players. I picked these games on the basis of not having 'enemies' to attack, while still being challenging and appealing to a mature audience while heavy on story-telling.

Vessel (PC)

This puzzle platformer involves an inventor that has developed devices allowing liquid substances to perform simple tasks. This was a huge mistake, as their chaotic nature led them to disrupt most industrial machinery. Do you arm yourself with a shotgun to show these dripping bastards who's boss? No, this game isn't about fighting your own creation. Instead, you work with the lifeforms to solve problems and reach new locations. Vessel is all about finding ways to direct the watery creatures known as fluros. That is the most rewarding part of the game, to find out how each type of fluro behaves and how to use it to your advantage.

The concept of the game is great, but what also helps is the overall quality. The liquid physics are fun, the steampunk art-style is lovely and the soundtrack does a great job at giving this game a unique atmosphere. All these things make me consider Vessel as one of my favorite platformers.

From Dust (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

In From Dust, you assume the role of a god-like entity that has limited powers. You are faced with the task of guiding, helping and protecting a small tribal population. While most games give you the power to hurt, From Dust teaches us how satisfying it can be to protect virtual characters. The closest thing to an enemy in this game is the tremendous power of nature. However, the beauty of nature's forces is that they often work both ways. Water can overflow villages, but it also fertilizes the land to support wildlife. Lava can burn villages and forests, but it also allows for the creation of walls and bridges. It's your job to balance the elements and help the villagers reach their destination.

From Dust also happens to be one of the most graphically impressive games ever. The natural disasters are both terrifying and overwhelmingly beautiful. I strongly advise everyone to give it a chance and experience it for yourself.

Waking Mars (iPhone, iPad, PC)

Waking Mars is unique in many ways. As a scientist you are researching the terrain of Mars. Of course, you inevitably stumble upon life. Unlike Half-Life, you're not a scientist turned soldier that is fighting off aliens. Instead, you do what a real scientist would do. You research the many lifeforms and most importantly, you create life. You soon find yourself trapped underground and your only way out is to help plants and animal-like organisms reproduce. These creatures aren't completely harmless, as they might consume each other and protect their territory. That still isn't reason to fight, it's all about balancing the ecosystem to sufficiently produce and sustain life. There's quite an expansive story that slowly unfolds, as you research the origins and purpose of Martian life.

The 2D graphics look fantastic, and they're simplistic enough to play smoothly on almost any PC. The soundtrack sets the mood for exploration and adds to the isolated vibe of the game. I'm afraid this is one of those games you'll either love, or it doesn't do anything for you. IGN gave it a 6.5, four other websites gave it a 10 out of 10 and it has a metascore of 84

Dear Esther (PC, OnLive)

Most video games that involve a story seem to be strongly influenced by storytelling techniques used in movies. I'd say Dear Esther resembles a style we're more likely to find in literature. That statement is not very surprising once you know that Dear Esther's entire story consists of pieces of a letter, vocalized by a narrator. The game takes away everything you'd expect from a first person video game. As soon as I started playing, I was pressing every button three times just to see if I could figure out how to jump or sprint (which is impossible). The experience became increasingly more interesting and at some point, it just grabbed me. The environments can get very impressive, which is partly due to the slow pacing allowing players to truly appreciate the various landscapes. As the story started to make sense, the final part of the game was actually one of the most intense experiences I've had playing any game. That's a pretty great achievement for a game that limits the gameplay to simply walking around.

The graphical details, soundtrack and ambiance ended up being absolutely stunning. I also have to say Dear Esther was a very personal experience, which may be different for each player. I expect that not everyone will be satisfied with the game, but I surely think it's worth a try.

Journey (PS3)

I'm sure this game was on everyone's mind. Sadly, I have yet to play it as I lack the funds required for a PS3. I'm confident that this title deserves to be up here, so I'll just leave you with some fragments of IGN's review.

Journeys span all of Earth's landscapes and resonate within the human heart, regardless of sex, age, and origin. The latest project from the developers at thatgamecompany tells the tale of a traveler and that traveler's journey. Through remarkable beauty and terrible danger, this short downloadable experience marks one of gaming's most beautiful, most touching achievements.

Regardless of gaming tastes, Journey's astounding visuals (made more impressive by the small size of the development team) warrant your time. But not all of you will appreciate Journey. Journey's deliberate, melancholic pace might tire those of you accustomed to fast and frantic challenges. - Ryan Clements

Can you enjoy story-driven games without violence and are there any titles I haven't mentioned? Please let me know.