Not a Hack and Slash Game (part 3)

From what we've seen with Solar Echoes players, it is clear that an RPG without XP being rewarded for killing can still be very fun. In fact, it ends up encouraging creativity, as players devise ingenious plans for achieving their mission objectives. Often, fights with enemies happen because the enemies first attack, so for anyone worried about there being a lack of combat in Solar Echoes, trust me, there's nothing to worry about. Yet there are a lot of options available to players, which encourages the use of other skills. For example, if you need to get past a guard, instead of using a weapon or your fists, you can try to sneak past him, use a disguise, or even persuade him through diplomacy, a bluff, or intimidation to let you pass. Fighting might get the job done, but often, there are mission-affecting repercussions for combat. Making a lot of noise might alert a target and reduce your chances of capturing him. A battle might be very dangerous for civilians in the area. And blowing things up has a tendency to anger a variety of people: property owners, businesses, and even the local government.