Hamburg - Violence and video games seem to go hand in hand for many people. However, some of today's most popular video games aren't first-person shooter adventures. Indeed, many gamers are content with some serious non-violence. The Sims, a game that's once again gaining popularity, is an example of that trend. Other non-violent offerings focus on puzzles and breathtaking stories, like Perry Rhodan, Lost, and Agon.
Then again, there's also Imperium Romanum for people who like strategy games or Universe at War, for those who like to plan wars in real time.
Game manufacturers have a reputation for turning any successful book or movie into a PC game. That makes it remarkable that Perry Rhodan went so long without being turned into a game. Rhodan's adventures have been released in book form since 1961 - now it's time for the legend to try to make it as a video game. Koch Media says the Perry Rhodan adventure will be released at the end of February.
True to the genre, players move through the game by figuring out puzzles. The goal is to find the trail of Rhodan's kidnapped girlfriend and free her. The game is expected to cost about 40 euros (59 dollars).
Professor Hunt might not be as big a household name as Perry Rhodan, but he's going to face his own mysteries when he's featured as the hero of the game Agon - The Lost Sword of Toledo. Players have to help the professor track down the game's mysterious sword. Kalypso Media says the game will be available for 40 euros starting February 21.
Unlike the Rhodan game, Lost proves that game manufacturers can sometimes work through licensing deals and get popular brands onto the PC fairly quickly. Ubisoft is behind the game based on the popular TV show.
Players assume the role of one of the survivors of Flight 815 and meet up with other characters from the TV show, voiced by the original actors. Lost will be available at the end of February for 40 euros.
The creators of The Sims seem to have gotten some of their inspiration for their new game from Lost. Sims: Island Stories sends characters to a lonely island where the player has to help his creations survive various challenges.
According to manufacturer Electronic Arts, Island Stories can be played independently of the main game, unlike The Sims 2 Freetime expansion pack. That pack builds upon the base game by letting Sims pick up hobbies, ranging from cooking to tinkering with their car. Both titles will cost around 30 euros.
The fate of an entire city and its population hangs in the balance in Imperium Romanum. The game is an expansion to The Romans and takes place in the region around ancient Rome.
Players have to turn a small settlement into a flourishing city. The game even lets players change history. Players can turn Pompeii into a metropolis, instead of letting it get buried by a volcano as it was in the real world. Kalypso Media says the game will be available at the end of February for around 40 euros.
If players don't find themselves challenged by the above selections, there's always Universe at War, which will let gamers face off evil aliens starting in February.
In the game, three alien races have decided to take over the Earth. Humanity doesn't play much of a role in the game, as players control the alien alliance. At its core, it's a typical real time strategy game with a jolt of action, but the only ones who get hurt are the aliens.
