Parents may not want their kids exposed to playing as a psychic. Neku sometimes can " hear them inside his brain" and some parents may take that as demonically...on the other hand, engaging gameplay and double combat takes this game to a new level. Although you may need six eyes to become really good at this.....
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The World Ends With You
(2008, Video Games - Role Playing Games, Rated T, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Fascinating, dark but compelling action RPG game.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The World Ends With You was written by Harold Goldberg
Parents need to know that the game that this is one of the most creative games ever made for the Nintendo DS. Yet the game's protagonist is outside of society, angry, and a little depressed. Occasionally, he uses mild cuss words. There is some fantasy violence used to kill monsters that includes lightning or fire. The characters, story, and gameplay are so unique that kids may want to play the game over and over again. Kids can use Nintendo Wi-Fi to trade items, including songs and play a minigame.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what they would do if they, like the characters in the main story, had seven days to solve a problem or perish. How does the use of a deadline compare to other media using such melodramatic deadlines, like the TV show, 24? What role did the unique graphic-novel-like art within the game have on your appreciation for the game? Did you think the story was scary? What if you could read other people's minds?
More on The World Ends With You
What’s the Story?
In THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU, you wake up as Neku, a punky 15-year-old, who is disoriented in one of the busiest sections of Tokyo. Somehow, you're able to hear what everyone's thinking. You have a strange looking, tattooed Pin embedded in your hand, and you get a message on your cell phone from a group called The Reapers. The first message: You have seven days to do their bidding or you'll be erased. (That's a code word for being killed.) Within minutes, you meet an affable 15-year-old girl character named Shiki, who takes your flack and balances your pessimism with her optimism. This dialog-fueled story, presented somewhat like a graphic novel in the top screen, is both chilling and mysterious.
Just as the story is packed with enticing drama, so is the gameplay packed with compelling ways to move forward and stay alive as each day ticks away. You'll collect various Pins with a variety of powers to help you combat Noise, annoying monsters which prevent you from reaching your goals. By using the Pins and tapping and slashing on your touching screen, you'll unleash powerful forces that will vanquish your foes. You just can't keep fighting without thought, however. That would be too easy. When your energy is depleted, you'll have to wait a few moments as a circle fills to boost your health. During this time, you'll use the touch screen to move your character around and avoid being hurt by the Noise.
CloseIs It Any Good?
As one of the most unique games ever created for the Nintendo DS, The World Ends with You is filled with tasty, creative features. For instance, you can shop and collect CDs, which are full length pop songs that you can listen to at your leisure. In addition to controlling combat on the lower screen, you can also control it on the top screen using the control pad. However, it's difficult to alternate between both fighting modes. So if you simply want to use the touch screen only, the game is programmed to help you play along the top screen automatically. Essentially, there's so much here it almost feels like a console game. In other words, unique story + smart gameplay = a great DS game. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 04/22/2008, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, and Mild Suggestive Themes)
ESRB rating: T (for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, and Mild Suggestive Themes)
Our Members Say
See all 6 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Pschic abliities may turn parents aside...
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
One of the best stories you'll find on the DS- with exceptional gameplay as well!
The title says it all- this game is the only piece of literature that I could ever predict, but the gameplay will be confusing to people who can't multi-task. All in all, this is one game that all teens should play. The story is as dark and deep as the pacific ocean, which may make younger kids scared.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Amazing game, IF you're patient & have 0 anger issues.
Okay, I have to say this is an amazing game. It's 100% original, very brilliant, very unique...it's just amazing! BUUUUUT, it has some issues. For starters, it is EXTREMELY difficult. As you can set your own difficulty level at any time in the game, & change it at your will, this shouldn't be a tremendous problem, but it is. Here's why: though you can set the game to easy-peasy, you really will get no benefits for doing this. Item collection is essential throughout this game, & your chances of getting items from defeated enemies drops as the difficulty level does. Therefore, to get the best items you really should play it on the harder difficulty levels, but this makes the game darn near impossible, especially on the bosses. It is also extremely long, & if you're a gamer like me, & you want to complete every aspect of a game, this will take FOREVER. As for appropriateness, this is a pretty iffy game. The language is pretty brash, tons of uses of A**, h*ll, d*mn, & a couple uses of b*tch & godd***. The suggestive themes are very noticeable, which is unusual for a hand-held game; almost every girl in the game has mass cleavage. As far as violence goes though, it's pretty standard fantasy violence (e.g. heavy violence, but no blood). Overall I'd probably say 13+ like the ESRB said.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Put an emo kid and a freakishly hyper girl in a near death situation and you get this! One of the best RPGs ever!
The World Ends With You is a delightfully refreshing RPG! Square Enix actually made a winner with this. Take time off from your pure fantasy games and enter the world of Shibuya, Japan, which is an actual place! The dark plot is thrilling and actually keeps you guessing. And -gasp- the gameplay is actually fun! It reminds me a little of a mixture between fight style games and Dance Dance Revolution. While it has a dark story, the only reason it's rated T is for language, which appears frequently. It does contain d***, a**, and even b**** at points. But teenagers should be able to handle this. :3 Overall, I'd recommend this game to every teenager, especially those that love Japanese things.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Absolutely amazing game, though realistic language
While I did say it was appropriate for my age (16), I wouldn't go much younger than that. 13 is the lowest i would go (so I actually AGREE with the ESRB, for the first time in my life...) The language would be the biggest factor in not letting your kid get it. It goes up to a-hole and d, while not gratuitous, is very realistic. It combines with an amazing (while very hackneyed) story. The writing is very brilliant, these characters come to life when bad things happen to them. There is absolutely no other game like it, definitly five stars. I wouldn't let your 12 year old get it like commonsense reccomends, but not just because of language. They just wouldn't appreciate it enough. I would say 14 is the age you would start to completely appreciate this game.
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