Handpicked by Our Editors

MySims Agents (Wii)
Age 8+
5

MySims Agents (Wii)

Why We Recommend It

Cool secret-agent sim challenges kids to solve entwined mysteries. Nifty spy gadgets help players outwit adversaries.

Read our full review
Are online games taking over the video and computer game world?

Sometimes it seems like our kids' lives have become one big online game. Unless you check your kids' computer browser, it's hard to know which computer game they're playing and whether or not it's violent or age appropriate. Fortunately, kids still play plenty of Wii, PS3, Xbox, and Nintendo DSI games -- and the really good news is that our reviews offer great information on what to play and what to avoid. Check out our age-by-age recommendations.

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showing: real time strategy (rts)
Demigod.JPG
Demigod (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

this Teen-rated game does contain some fantasy violence, but it's light on blood and not very graphic due to the top-down view of the action (more of a bird's eye commander perspective as opposed to a fighter's view from the front lines). ... read more

Age 13+
Demigod
4
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BattleForge (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a real-time strategy game designed expressly -- though not exclusively -- for online multiplayer gaming. Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for children aged 12 years and under. Players will play and conduct ... read more

Age 13+
BattleForge
3
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Halo Wars (Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

Parents need to know that this is the first Halo game rated "T" instead of "M." Unlike the other Halo incarnations, Halo Wars in not a first person shooter but a real time strategy game with less gore and ... read more

Age 13+
Halo Wars
4
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Blue Dragon Plus (Nintendo DS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a sequel to Blue Dragon, but offers real-time strategy gameplay instead of role-playing. Players don't have to be familiar with the first game to enjoy the second, although it doesn't hurt. The game features plenty of fantasy ... read more

Age 9+
Blue Dragon Plus
3
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

this game is violent and shows blood and gore (namely, body parts flying off some enemy units). While graphic, the view is normally from above (as opposed to a more realistic first-person perspective) and the Warhammer 40,000 universe is ... read more

No Kids
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
4
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Robocalypse (Nintendo DS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this real time strategy games take more time and thought than most other games. Players take on the role of a good guy trying to save the world from an attack of evil robots. The game has turned-based combat, where you will see ... read more

Age 12+
Robocalypse
4
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Tom Clancy's EndWar
Parents Need to Know...

this is a war game set in a futuristic universe in which you can use weapons of mass destruction during a fictitious WWIII. While this game has garnered six different warnings from the ESRB over its content, including violence and ... read more

Age 14+
Tom Clancy's EndWar
4
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Command & Conquer Red Alert 3
Parents Need to Know...

that while this game has some violence and animated blood, this "Teen"-rated game is not very graphic compared to most other PC and console strategy games. Why? It's played primarily from an eagle's eye view (not to ... read more

Age 14+
Command & Conquer Red Alert 3
4
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Defendin' De Penguin (Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is easy enough for young kids to play, but it won't provide enough challenge or depth to satisfy older or more experienced gamers. Players build towers to hurl projectiles like ice cubes, icicles, and snow men at invading ... read more

Age 6+
Defendin' De Penguin
3
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Lock's Quest (Nintendo DS)
Parents Need to Know...

this delightful and engaging E-rated game is too hard for young kids. Even if they could play, some of the items you need to make your defenses are too small for even an adult to latch onto with the DS stylus. The game has very mild ... read more

Age 9+
Lock's Quest
4
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Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that while this game has some violence and animated blood, it's less graphic than many other PC and console war games because it's played primarily from a top-down battlefield point-of-view and the action takes place more between units, ... read more

Age 13+
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath
3
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Universe at War: Earth Assault (Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is a solid strategy title for teens. Most of the violence -- which involves lasers, guns, and explosive devices -- is seen from afar. Most of the enemies are robots, so you won't see any blood. While there's some swearing, ... read more

Age 12+
Universe at War: Earth Assault
3
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Eco-Creatures: Save the Forest
Parents Need to Know...

that the game carries a straightforward pro-environment message that illustrates the impact that deforestation, garbage dumping, toxic waste, and the encroachment of industry can have on an ecosystem. Players assume the role of a saviour ... read more

Age 10+
Eco-Creatures: Save the Forest
2
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World in Conflict (Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is filled with large-scale battles complete with artillery strikes, napalm, and even nuclear bombs. Soldiers can be run over by tanks, blown up with artillery, or shot by snipers. On the positive side, the game has a very ... read more

Age 13+
World in Conflict
5
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Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

that as with many other Real-Time-Strategy (RTS) games, the focus is on dominating opponents by force. Large armies of men, tanks, aircraft, etc., are all used to defeat opponents in large-scale battles. Soldiers can be flung from ... read more

Age 13+
Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
4
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Supreme Commander (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this war game takes place in the future and involves all kinds of weapons: guns, missiles, bombs, and even a nuclear weapon. However, there is no blood or close-up scenes of violence. The game has an online component, which Common ... read more

Age 12+
Supreme Commander
4
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Sid Meier's RailRoads! (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that there is no objectionable content in this educational game. However, parents should also be aware that the game has an online mode -- Common Sense doesn't recommend online play for anyone under 12. read more

Age 10+
Sid Meier's RailRoads!
4
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Age of Empires III (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game has some large-scale battles, complete with cannon fire, bodies being thrown in the air, and some blood. However, most of the fighting takes place from a bird's-eye view. Parents should also be aware that the game has an ... read more

Age 13+
Age of Empires III
5
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Age of Empires II: Age of Kings (Mac/Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that strategy takes precedence over violence, which is fairly mild and seen from above. Defeated enemies do die and become skeletons. The developers made an effort to educate players about the various civilizations and their history, ... read more

Age 13+
Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
4
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Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a war game, so violence and gore aren't out of context, but the sci-fi theme -- strange lands, creatures, and vehicles -- helps to water down the graphic scenery. While most of the time players control units on the ... read more

Age 13+
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
4
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Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander) (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a good thinking game, but it has large-scale, realistic battles. No blood, but convincing sound effects get the point across. Overall, the game is full of historical and educational information, although parents may need to ... read more

Age 13+
Rome: Total War (including Barbarian Invasion and Alexander)
5

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About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's game reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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