‘Minecraft’ has expanded over the years with new biomes, resources and adventuring challenges. But even child’s play has its dark …
‘Rusty Rabbit’ mixes a fun, deep story with side-scrolling action. But an adult side lurks beneath this game’s cute and …
‘Blue Prince’ is a charming E-rated puzzler with equal measures of difficulty and delight for players of all ages.
‘Atomfall’ feels a bit lighter than your typical bloody survival game. But it still has gun blasts to the face …
‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows” takes its shadow-slipping storyline to feudal Japan. The result? Beauty and gore in equal measure.
The new ‘Carmen Sandiego’ game won’t stump older detectives, but young rookies may enjoy solving crime in a red fedora …
Players encounter a few messy moments in this co-op game. But all-in-all, ‘Split Fiction’ is a fun fiction.
Bash, smash, hack and slash. ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ has T-rated versions of all that on a mammoth monster scale.
‘Sniper Elite: Resistance’ adds a few small trigger-pulling additions. But it’s still all about the Nazi-mulching glee.
Sid Meier’s world-building game is back and bigger than ever. But is it better?
‘Eternal Strands’ offers a T-rated blend of big-game action adventure without ever feeling too gritty or messy.
If you love the idea of blending restaurant service and dungeon-crawling, ‘Cuisineer’ just might be the game for you.
‘For the King II’ offers a fun, turn-based, multiplayer adventure. But there are things that parents of young players should …
This ‘Indiana Jones’ game is the sequel that moviemakers probably wanted to make—gobbledygook spirituality and all.
Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo have somehow transformed an M-rated battler into a cheery game made of LEGO blocks.
‘Metal Slug Tactics’ looks and feels a lot like the old arcade classics, but it’s got a whole new strategy-based …
After a 10-year break, ‘Dragon Age’ is back and ready to push its fantasy adventures in … multi-gendered romantic directions?
Undercover spy work is a bigger part of the new ‘Call of Duty’ than you’d expect. But there’s still a …
Very young Nick Jr. lovers will rejoice over Dora’s ‘super muy bien’ introduction to video gaming.
Is this a perfect game for kids? Well, that will depend on how young the starfish in your gaming galaxy …
Astro Bot represents the best of PlayStation while leaving the worst in another universe.
Magical relics, a clash between gods and battles against sandy wraiths are front and center in this desert-bound RPG.
Cat Quest III isn’t purrfect. But there’s a lot of swashbuckling, cat-quippy fun to sink your claws into.
Cartoony characters and comedy patter make this indie game unique. But innocent-looking things aren’t always meant for kids. This is …
EA Sports College Football 25 packs recognizable and refreshingly new moves into its playbook. And that’s worth a hearty college …
This South Pacific island-based adventure game has a very different feel. But its not always as kid-friendly as it looks.
Goat Simulator 3 is chaotic and bizarre, to be sure. But the silliness can also bite you when you’re not …
Still Wakes the Deep is impressive and cinematic. But it’s also a mire of the dreadful and wincingly foul.
These Killer Klown invaders come toting cotton candy ray guns and wearing galumphy shoes. But don’t forget the M-rated side …
Rise of the Ronin features samurai, assassins, and the political intrigue of 1850’s Japan. Oh, and a whole lot of …
Stellar Blade has some out-of-this-world elements, but others aren’t so stellar.
Another Crab’s Treasure has a cheery look, salt-water humor and gameplay that will appeal to some. But it’s not exactly …
Players could well find this game to be equal parts quirky, charming and, well, boring.
There are a few T-rated issues here, but nothing bad enough to knock most families of teens off a unicorn.
Helldivers 2 has its action and charm to enjoy … when you’re not covered in goop and ducking friendly fire.
Between its ‘40s art style and its sweet platforming puzzles, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is as cozy and inviting as …
This Final Fantasy is indeed a rebirth of one of the most celebrated RPGs ever. But it comes with issues …
Penny’s Big Breakaway mixes old-school 3-D platforming with fresh new moves for a game everyone enjoy.
Do you like the feeling of organizing a disheveled mess into orderly bliss? A Little to the Left may hit …
The Inquisitor places gamers in a fantasy world where Jesus became a vengeance-fueled god-king. And oh, what a bleak, grim …
This Suicide Squad game takes a creative stab at the anti-hero rage. But the results are foul and disturbing.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a well-constructed platformer that’ll please many–as long as they don’t mind its light bloodiness …
The Finals is yet another free-to-play, frenetic shooter that might not be as free as you expect.
Disney Dreamlight Valley blends Animal Crossing activities with Mickey and the gang and delivers some mostly magical fun.
Frontiers of Pandora lets you fly through its beautiful world. But it has plenty of angry things to say about …
Four Bluey episodes where the young fans call the sandbox and platforming shots? Wackadoo!
Coral Island is fun and rated E10+. But this tropical island farming sim isn’t all kid’s play.
This is a nightmarishly puzzling and creative survival horror game. But its clotted and foul side feels sticky and oppressive.
It’s a top-tier action sequel to a top-tier action original, with just a few sticky, icky bits for Mom to …
It’s no illusion, Assassin’s Creed Mirage does look and play a little differently. But it’s still a bloody view.
Cocoon is an alien bug-focused puzzler designed to get your brain humming and clicking … without driving you buggy.
Is Lies of P a graphically appealing RPG or a nightmarish and difficult slog? Yes.
There are fighting games and then there’s Mortal Kombat 1. You won’t find any fighter quite as high-def gruesome as …
Sea of Stars packs a comfortable ‘90s RPG feel into a new magical fantasy tale.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has raised the RPG bar. But it has blown out its RPG content worries, too.
Oxenfree II sports a Stranger Things-like vibe. And some Stranger Things-like content, too.
Final Fantasy XVI is a game of great bombast and visually stunning spectacle. But it’s a bloody and profane spectacle …
The Bookwalker is a novel idea, but a messy read.
Those looking for a sweet story might find Dordogne to be a beautiful place to linger and remember.
Demons, death, blood sacrifice and more demons. Diablo IV is a game for lovers of battling, loot and a wash …
If you’re strategy minded, Railway Empire 2 might just have you yellin’ “All aboard!”
With a well-written story and time-driven choices, this Star Trek adventure might well be the best one yet.
Dead Island 2 revels in profanity-spewing, bone-crunching, gut-rending, zombie-mulching carnage.
Survivor has some unexpected Jedi twists and turns. And Darth Vader, too.
This isn’t your dad’s Minecraft. So what have the gamemakers stacked up this time?
Curse of the Sea Rats features pirates, rats and platforming exploration, oh my. But what about the darker alleyways?
Atomic Heart has raised a lot of gamer’s pulses, but not always for the right reasons.
Lots of cartoony superhero action for young players and parents who don’t mind eyerolling puns.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is an impressively pretty game to duck, stretch and grunt your way through.
Wild Hearts features nearly impossible hunts of massive, fearsome creatures. What’s not to like?
As with every Potteresque venture, there’s dark and deadly peril along with the magical fun.
This game is like that vulgar, overtalking neighbor. He might look nice. But you’re wise to avoid him.
There’s bizarre fun to be had if you know the manga landscape.
A few light content punches mar River City Girls 2, an otherwise fun, colorful beat-‘em-up.
There’s fun XCOM-like gameplay to be had. But you gotta be OK with Marvel’s demonic side.
There are thoughtful father/son moments in Ragnarök … amid all that gore, death and rage.
A beloved, speedy hero (and franchise) gets a chance at some new open-world fun.
It’s a Batman game without Batman. Can it still be worth a Bat-signal?
To build or not to build, that is the plastic block question.
MultiVersus has a lot of fun battles to enjoy. But some in-game irritations could send you running.
This game delivers a fast-paced sparkle and pop, but more tug at your wallet, too.
Some call it a classic. Others prefer the word “crude.”
You build the school and pick the classes with this game. But does it earn a passing grade?
This new dystopian cyberpunk adventure features a cat as its hero. Your curiosity must be killing you.
Escape room fans have been searching for the right video game to come along. And this one may be the …
This DLC gives players more—both good and bad—of what the first game was packing.
This artistically creative game has its fair share of fun puzzles and deep-sea dangers.
The newest Sniper Elite packs in all the old aim-down-the-barrel standards and a few new kills, too.
This award-winning game gets updated graphics and a whole new sequel hidden in its hallways. But it’s not for everybody.
This new LEGO adventure snaps together loads of action and fun. Oh, and Jar Jar Binks, too.
Wonderland’s T-rated cleanup doesn’t necessarily equate to good, clean, all-ages fun.
If you have a PS5 and any interest in simulated racing games in the least, this is a title to …
The makers of Dark Souls and the author of Game of Thrones join forces to make an extremely difficult, gory …
Aloy faces new forbidden horizons. But should she face them in your family room?
The newest Yu-Gi-Oh! game is a free download. But does it cost more than you expect?
This T-rated space combat game is a bit different. But it might offer a cockpit worth exploring.
Call of Duty: Vanguard comes packing many of the expected action-focused plusses along with some bombastic messiness on a number …
The Guardians of the Galaxy have always been fun and messy. Fittingly, so is this game.
You definitely can’t say that Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is in a splash-n-bash league of its own. But there’s a lot …
The latest game from the Far Cry franchise is a far cry from being family friendly.
Deathloop is a well-designed game. But what else will you be looping into?
This visually spectacular game also includes some spooktacular spiritual issues that discerning families should take note of.
The third M-rated game in this series involves an engaging, emotion-sensing hero … and quite a bit of mature content.
This creative game deals with, of all things, mental health. But it has its own sticky bits, too.
Can a game mod of Skyrim actually end up being a decent game all its own?
Interactive storytelling abounds here, but there are interactive problems, too.
This game offers colorful spy missions custom made for two.
The unexpected brushstrokes of this creative indie game will have players pondering surprisingly philosophical questions.
When a game looks this sweet, can it hold anything bad? Ohhh yes!
So, what does a PS5 version of Ratchet & Clank have in its handy toolbelt?
This indie runner has some spring in its step, but it’s a one-dimensional sprint.
This new post-apocalyptic entry offers players a mixed bag of mutant adventure.
Fans of the old Resident Evil titles should think long and hard before wandering into this Village.
Twists, turns and a lot of shooting fill this creative-yet-problematic hybrid title for the PS5.
This looter-shooter title fully earns its M-rating with a cacophony of raging action and profane dialogue.
There’s a kids’ game vibe in this unusual video game that aims to help parents think about love, conflict and …
The Pathless is a quick-paced, beautiful game with a mythical journey that could trip up some players.
The latest Yakuza entry offers a fresh, creative revamp of this hit franchise. Unfortunately, it’s still a bloody and profane …
Maquette is, without question, a very creative and at times very difficult, puzzle-focused game.
Beneath its Japanese anime charm, Persona 5 Strikers cloaks a whole host of spiritual, sexual and language problems.
Like plunging into a horrific fever dream, Little Nightmares II propels players into some dark and disturbing places.
Is this M-rated game an opportunity for creative thinking and problem solving? Or is it a meticulous murder simulator?
This retro-styled, beat-’em-up franchise gets another swing on newer consoles.
Super Meat Boy is back to leap more blades and grinders. Should he make a meaty splash in your family …
This highly anticipated, cinematically structured RPG pushes the boundaries on explicit M-rated content of every kind.
What does this guy named Miles Morales have tucked up his web-slinging sleeves?
The hardest part of Sackboy’s smile-worthy Big Adventure for me was trying to come up with anything problematic to say …
The newest Assassin’s Creed lives in the world of 9th-century Vikings, a world of bloody, brutal conquests.
This open-world game starts out with an interesting gameplay premise, but devolves into profanity, torture, torment and death.
Punishing bloodletting and screeched profanities make Ghostrunner a haunting nightmare for discerning families.
