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If you are Conservative and/or Christian Catholic like me, please, join in the conversation.

Which games have you played (preferably to the end) and you recommend?

I haven't seen any such topic here so I thought I could start one (I'm not trying to start an argument over politics or religion, I just want to know about games that are friendly to these positions).

It kind of sucks when you're hyped about a game and suddenly, boom, you can't really continue because there is some "in your face" stuff.
low rated
Anno 1800, pretty cool city management game.
Is that a question mostly about sexual content or is there anything else you would find offensive?
high rated
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RafaelRamus: If you are Conservative and/or Christian Catholic like me, please, join in the conversation.

Which games have you played (preferably to the end) and you recommend?

I haven't seen any such topic here so I thought I could start one (I'm not trying to start an argument over politics or religion, I just want to know about games that are friendly to these positions).

It kind of sucks when you're hyped about a game and suddenly, boom, you can't really continue because there is some "in your face" stuff.
Hi RafaelRamus, I'm very happy you've asked :)

Here are some of my favourite titles and short explanation, why I would recommend them:

1.Defender's Quest (game is made by Lars Doucet, who is definitelly not "neutral" when it comes to the, let's say, "values" presented by plot, characters etc. Although he's Orthodox Christian, I personally like his approach and the fact that Defender's Quest is presenting very positive vision of main characters, even if most of them are not "ideal" and have some dark elements of past, they're still fighting for good cause...and some of them for making amends if they've done something wrong in the past.

And aside from that - it's great game, enjoyable even for people who don't like tower defense genre, considering it as rather boring for most titles.... It's true, but not for defender's quest.

2.Call of Juarez - first one and Bound in Blood. It's a bit unusual thing, but I personally consider the plot in those two games as presenting in quite mature way the parts related to faith (especially internal struggle of one character in first game... but don't want to reveal too much). It's very rare amongst action games. Bound in Blood is a bit different, since it's "prequel" in terms of plot, but the final has made on me really great impression. And of course -they're both incredibly enjoyable games.

3.Expedition: Conquistador - I was a bit afraid when I've started playing it, if there won't be presented some stupid myths about conquistadors, christians etc. I was quite positively surprised - you can keep your team bounded to the christian principles and at the same time be cooperative and merciful for local people etc. There are still some things, which I would change, but other than that - very positive surprise. And of course I enjoyed a lot turn-based battles, they're really great.

4.Battle Isle: Incubation

This one is IMO on the "neutral" ground, since it's focused on the "military story" of your squad (in campaign), and since we're fighting there with mindless, aggresive alien beings, there is no place for some moral doubts etc. It's great turn-based tactic game, very fun to play (both in Single and Multiplayer mode), but even campaign in base game at one point is becoming very challenging.

5.The Incredible Machines series - absolutely no worries in terms of some plot or background, it's the series of puzzles with some weird and unusual contraptions, so I would definitelly recommend this one to play.


I will try to add more games a bit later, need to think about more suitable titles :)
Post edited December 29, 2020 by MartiusR
For role-playing, I'd wager the Geneforge games; they're about a fantasy world with easy gene-splicing and homunculi who revere their mortal creators as gods. In the first game, they have abandonment issues in the wake of a mysterious evacuation and quarantine by the mortals.

I imagine most historical strategy games would fit the bill, especially anything before the 20th Century; and most racing games, you can't complain when it's literally nothing but vehicles moving fast. But if you're looking for something completely without violence, puzzles and artsy games like Flower or Abzu do nicely. Octodad, Slime Rancher, and most animal-mascot/all Lego are also very good family-friendly fun.
Post edited December 29, 2020 by MichaelD.965
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morolf: Is that a question mostly about sexual content or is there anything else you would find offensive?
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It's not simply about it being offensive or blasphemous (although there are indeed some games that do have that). Sometimes it is just about the game placing the gamer in the shoes of someone (or something) he absolutely can't identify with, or making you defend values you would never defend, or yet making you deal with situations you find absolutely absurd.

In ages past I would discover one such game while playing and be "ok, that's a change of pace", but nowadays the change of pace is when the game is not offensive, blasphemous or doesn't have one of the other traits I mentioned.

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RafaelRamus: If you are Conservative and/or Christian Catholic like me, please, join in the conversation.

Which games have you played (preferably to the end) and you recommend?

I haven't seen any such topic here so I thought I could start one (I'm not trying to start an argument over politics or religion, I just want to know about games that are friendly to these positions).

It kind of sucks when you're hyped about a game and suddenly, boom, you can't really continue because there is some "in your face" stuff.
avatar
MartiusR: Hi RafaelRamus, I'm very happy you've asked :)

Here are some of my favourite titles and short explanation, why I would recommend them:

1.Defender's Quest (game is made by Lars Doucet, who is definitelly not "neutral" when it comes to the, let's say, "values" presented by plot, characters etc. Although he's Orthodox Christian, I personally like his approach and the fact that Defender's Quest is presenting very positive vision of main characters, even if most of them are not "ideal" and have some dark elements of past, they're still fighting for good cause...and some of them for making amends if they've done something wrong in the past.

And aside from that - it's great game, enjoyable even for people who don't like tower defense genre, considering it as rather boring for most titles.... It's true, but not for defender's quest.

2.Call of Juarez - first one and Bound in Blood. It's a bit unusual thing, but I personally consider the plot in those two games as presenting in quite mature way the parts related to faith (especially internal struggle of one character in first game... but don't want to reveal too much). It's very rare amongst action games. Bound in Blood is a bit different, since it's "prequel" in terms of plot, but the final has made on me really great impression. And of course -they're both incredibly enjoyable games.

3.Expedition: Conquistador - I was a bit afraid when I've started playing it, if there won't be presented some stupid myths about conquistadors, christians etc. I was quite positively surprised - you can keep your team bounded to the christian principles and at the same time be cooperative and merciful for local people etc. There are still some things, which I would change, but other than that - very positive surprise. And of course I enjoyed a lot turn-based battles, they're really great.

I will add some more games to this post a bit later, so no worries, I will give more titles ;)
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Hey, I don't have any of those games, thank you!

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MichaelD.965: But if you're looking for something completely without violence.
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Thanks for the indications. About violence, unless we are talking about extremely graphic violence (then yes, that might be a problem), then no, I don't have an issue with it (and that's the case with most of my friends).
Post edited December 29, 2020 by RafaelRamus
All the games from "Freebird" are very family-friendly games, but at the same time focusing on serious themes like empathy, family and human emotions and relationships:
https://www.gog.com/game/to_the_moon

https://www.gog.com/game/finding_paradise

https://www.gog.com/game/a_bird_story

This adventure game is centered on the inner struggles of a jewish priest who is trying to solve a crime while struggling to keep his faith.
https://www.gog.com/game/the_shivah

This one is like a modern fable on the age-old theme of selling one's soul in order to obtain benefit. And losing everything in the proccess:
https://www.gog.com/game/distraint_deluxe_edition

Edit:
There's also Vampire, the Masquerade: Redemption
The main character is a christian crusader who's been afflicted with the curse of vampirism and throughout the entire game is fighting to keep his humanity intact, while fighting the forces of evil. In the game you're encouraged to preserve your humanity (not killing innocents, practicing good and humane deeds, etc) in order not to become a monster.
https://www.gog.com/game/vampire_the_masquerade_redemption
Post edited December 29, 2020 by karnak1
Download Medieval II - Total War version 1.0, pick up a Catholic faction, launch a Crusade. There you have it. Very Catholic-friendly game. As a Catholic myself I like it a lot.
I am not Catholic, but if I was, I'd certainly play this game:

https://www.gog.com/game/super_3d_noahs_ark
Maybe Kingdom come: Deliverance, for its non-hostile portrayal of medieval Christendom. Haven't played it myself though.
Post edited December 29, 2020 by morolf
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RafaelRamus: ...
Not Catholic but am Protestant. I'd suggest a willingness to just accept that some games are going to have a "message", viewpoints, content, etc. that might run contrary to your own views, but most mainstream games probably aren't gonna be "in your face" about it to avoid alienating consumers and I think many older games aren't supposed to have some kind of "message" anyway.

anyway, check Pajama Sam point and click games :P Or you could go console gaming and play pretty-innocent Nintendo games perhaps
I'd recommend a masterpiece although it's a flawed one: Far Cry 2. Obviously, very adult outlook and very violent.

But in a sea of grey, the only good ones are the Underground folks, and it's even hinted that one of their leaders gave his life for his people, all due to Christian principles and beliefs. I was very surprised to see a fair portrayal of Christians in a major game.
Post edited December 29, 2020 by thegreyshadow
I don't identify with any of the stuff you mentioned in the OP so I hope I am allowed to participate, as no one has mentioned this game yet: Driftmoon. I'd think it's worth looking into as it was apparently made by religious (Christian) folks.

https://www.gog.com/game/driftmoon

That said, consider that there are people who have played this game, who don't identify with that type of religion, who find the material in the game very "in your face"...just like you, OP, are trying to avoid on the opposite end of things.

So I'd like to recommend both the game and consideration of that point.
Non-Catholic Christian here (I do not particularly identify as Protestant either, but that's beside the point).

Stronghold Crusader: It's a relatively stereotypical view of the middle ages and it lacks any amount of historical insight, but it is inoffensive with regards to sexual content or language.

Rome: Total War Barbarian Invasion: Oversee the Christianization of the Roman Empire.

WW2 strategy games like Men of War series, Close Combat, Sudden Strike, and Blitzkrieg are also inoffensive games (to my sensibilities anyway) that are all great.

Mount & Blade series: I will always suggest people start with the first game and move up after spending some hours in it to fully appreciate the progression, but most just skip straight to Warband. The mod to Warband, Sands of Faith, I thought was really good and had a relatively neutral tone on what is easily a controversial topic.

On the other hand, if you would rather build things up instead of destroy then the SimCity, Zoo Tycoon, and Rollercoaster Tycoon series are all great. (I also have Railroad Tycoon but haven't played it. I also have fond memories of Sea World Tycoon for what it's worth.)

If you're okay with playing as a privateer then Sid Meier's Pirates! is fantastic.

I'm going to put Empires: Dawn of the Modern World on my recommendations too, see Stronghold Crusader above.

I'm also pretty fond of the Worms series as good clean fun, assuming you are not part worm or have any worm friends.

In my experience in the King Arthur Collection, Christian decisions are legit choices and not seen as ignorant or inherently bad.
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Sweet Emperor of Mankind, this identity politics is really getting ridiculous!