An EXELLENT game. Very good storyline, engaging characters and (for once, out of the games that claim it) a unique control system-you control two sepoate characters, one on each screen. It is fairly dark, at points, but if you think the kid can handle, there's no problem. In any case, it may be okay for young-ish kids, but you can see someone enjoying it as old as 20.
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 -
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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Consumerism:
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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?
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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.
Is 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.
Publisher’s Details
Developer: Square Enix USA Inc
Released on: 04/22/2008, Price: $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: T for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, and Mild Suggestive Themes
Released on: 04/22/2008, Price: $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: T for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, and Mild Suggestive Themes
Our Members Say
See all 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
LOVE IT!!!!!
My faviorite game ever! Theres not much controversial material. the only thing I can think of is in another day when theres a "missunderstanding" with Joshua and Neku, but aside from that, it's the best ten bucks I ever spent.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
This is a must-buy for any gamers in your life looking for a good story and exciting gameplay.
This game is one of my absolute favorites. The combat and art style are stylish and absolutely gorgeous, the story is gripping, and the cast is full of complex, well-developed characters. I think that what shocked me the most about this game is that it takes the cliché of an amnesia-ridden JRPG hero and makes a genuinely interesting and sympathetic character out of it. The story also talks about various landmarks around Shibuya, and to my surprise, uses realistic slang. Regarding violence, it should be noted that the Noise aren't actually sentient - they're born from negative emotions and exist only to multiply and feed off of others, so it basically benefits everyone to wipe them out. However, you WILL be fighting Reapers, who are human, sentient, and not always evil. Also, while Neku himself is very cynical at the start of the story, the overall tone of the game is very uplifting - "The World Ends With You" isn't about the world ending; it means that the world is what you make of it, and you need to expand your world if you want to enjoy life.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Pschic abliities may turn parents aside...
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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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.
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