Ok for kids?

[Tempest]

Is this game safe for pre-teen kids to play? I am looking for a game with good reviews for which choices matter that is appropriate for kids.

[Jackalope_908]

That depends, are you (as a parent) prepared to stand by and answer questions, difficult questions, as they arise? To put things into context and help them sort through information to make mature choices?

There are mature, and depending on your personal stance, controversial ideas and situations as part of the story. No violence in the shooting guns at one another sense, nor sex in the Rated X sense, but (and I'm being deliberately vague to avoid spoilers) there are... situations... relationships... that some may balk at. Others might not. I don't know you from Adam so I shouldn't even pretend to guess for you. BUT, if you press me for an opinion, I'd say wait until they were mid-teens... they'd be better prepared for the ideas presented.

[Tempest]

Thanks for the quick reply, honest answer, and input. I hope to have several opinions before the sale ends. From what you say, I will definitely supervise if purchased.

[Jackalope_908]

WHOOPS! I'm not sure how but I was thinking of a totally different game... I don't know HOW I got the two mixed up.

OK, rethinking my answer... All right, the relationship thing is not nearly as much of an issue as I intimated, although things might be a bit over the head of most pre-teens (The characters are late-teens, thinking late-teen thoughts about doing late-teen things... if you catch my drift.) The violence... still no Pew Pew Pew but there's some deliberately shocking things that happen (as in, the characters witnessing them are visibly shaken for a while) and they can be a bit much, honestly, for people of ANY age, but still.

Yeah, I think my orginal assesment still stands. Be there and be ready. It's a good game, I loved the heck out of it... but it's mature in the way it handles these things.

[jack_of_tears]

I doubt a pre-teen kid would really relate to or even understand the story, as it deals with concepts like alternate realities and causation. This is a fantastic game but not one really targeted at children.

[Jackalope_908]

Originally posted by jack_of_tears:

I doubt a pre-teen kid would really relate to or even understand the story, as it deals with concepts like alternate realities and causation. This is a fantastic game but not one really targeted at children.

For my opinion, if a pre-teen can track Doctor Who, they can follow this plot. I'd put the two on roughly the same level, insofar as wibbly wobbly timey wimey goes. The plot doesn't ask for more understanding than that... although I admit to maybe having a flawed perspective. (I am not a pre-teen and haven't been for.... a while.)

[Tempest]

I've never actually watched Dr. Who. Is there a different game for which choices matter that is a more suitable alternative to Oxenfree?

[Jackalope_908]

That...... ouch, I am officially out of my depth, with that one. I only recently drifted into the genre, so I'm really not a good one to ask. Best I can suggest is "Broken Age", which isn't a "choices matter" game at all... but would be pretty good for a pre-teen.

[Pokeblev]

Originally posted by Tempest:

I've never actually watched Dr. Who. Is there a different game for which choices matter that is a more suitable alternative to Oxenfree?

The stansley parable. It a differente kind of game that fits that requirement, your choices do matter and they lead you to several endings. And the game is sooo fun, the narrator (you'll understand if you see the game) makes fun of your choices and such.

[Tempest]

(SPOILER ALERT) Thank you for the recommendations. We played "Broken Age" but we didn't like the story and were traumatized when the female protagonist drowns. We looked at "The Stanley Parable" store page and didn't really understand the point of the game and it didn't look like a game my daughter would enjoy. Do you have any more suggestions?

[defGaime]

Originally posted by Tempest:

(SPOILER ALERT) Thank you for the recommendations. We played "Broken Age" but we didn't like the story and were traumatized when the female protagonist drowns. We looked at "The Stanley Parable" store page and didn't really understand the point of the game and it didn't look like a game my daughter would enjoy. Do you have any more suggestions?

Adventure games are infamous for their dramtic fail states (aka deaths!). Part of the fun is to see all the bizarre deaths. But it sounds like your daughter is youngish, and might not appreciate that kind of humor. A safer bet would be educational games.

[Tempest]

She did enjoy a Spy Fox game, but that was years ago. I agree that there are dramatic deaths in adventure games!

[Coeus]

This game has mature themes and some genuinely terrifying scenarios. The early dialogue includes the word "sex" in passing, and I would consider this an early warning to parents. Not that the game is sexual at all, but it serves as a warning of other unrelated mature themes. If your child is mature enough to watch a scary movie by herself without being traumatised, try this game!

[Jackalope_908]

Originally posted by Kiv:

This game has mature themes and some genuinely terrifying scenarios. The early dialogue includes the word "sex" in passing, and I would consider this an early warning to parents. Not that the game is sexual at all, but it serves as a warning of other unrelated mature themes. If your child is mature enough to watch a scary movie by herself without being traumatised, try this game!

They're late teens, and certain things happen in a late teen's thoughts and experiences. Whether these are accpetable in your house is for you to decide.

[AKatarzynaK]

In my opinion I see no reason that this would be too mature for a pre-teen, but that is based off the fact that at that age my parents allowed me to have access to games, movies, books, etc with more mature themes (to a degree, of course) with the understanding that I could handle it in a mature manner. So of course this really all comes down to your own judgement and exactly what you are comfortable with alllowing your daughter to see, but I can outline a few things (without spoilers) that might help you make your decision.

First off, I don't agree with the person who said it might be too complex for your daughter to understand. It does go a bit into some slightly deeper concepts, but only slightly. It's not rocket science, and if your daughter is able to enjoy science fiction I see no reason she wouldn't be able to understand and enjoy this game.

I honestly don't remember anything remotely sexual in the game. At most I think the word itself is mentioned briefly, but as far as I remember it's literally just the word used in a not graphic conversation and nothing more. Beyond that it's just the typical crushes and I really don't recall anything risque.

The game can be pretty spooky at times, but it is far from terrifying. I highly doubt it will cause any nightmares or anything. To put it in perspective I am a major scaredy cat and I was able to play this home alone in the dark without feeling frightened. It does get creepy, but no jump scares or anything of the sort because I really don't think it was the intention of the developers to scare us. Also the art style does a good job at keeping the more tense moments from being too tense, as it is pretty cartoony which keeps it from feeling too real.

The last thing that might be worth mentioning is that it does deal with the concept of death. I don't want to say more than that to avoid spoiling anything, but there is talk of death and dying so if you feel that might be upsetting for your daughter or make it a game you wouldn't want her playing then it is worth noting.

I hope this helps you make your decision. Personally I really love this game and I found it to be a great experience as well as a more thoughtful one.

[Nyx]

There are some references to the dumb stuff most teenagers do -- drinking, drugs, among other illegal activities. But it's much more like your typical high schoolers experimenting than anything. There are also some "graphic" scenes in the game, not many, and nothing visceral. But overall this story brings up a lot of more mature questions about life, death, and the choices we make. I suppose it's up to you as a parent whether or not you're okay with that.