design/gameplay question

[bloogleford]

So I just restored power and opened the gate in Overture. One dog...ok, I can handle that, managed to kill it..now, I go to another room and there's two.

My basic question is, is the game generally designed to expect you will engage in actual combat with the dogs, or is there a way to stealth or trick my way through it as well?

At that point, it is your choice. But it was mostly made for stealth.

So it is my choice though, there are no places that absolutely require engaging in combat? Don't get me wrong - I love the game, but I don't find the combat fun and would like to avoid it.