It's good and challenging. For parents, the worst is the breeding aspect. The violence isn't graphic, but some of the characters can be killed in some obscene ways- thrown, burned, sacrificed, killed in battle, drowned, crushed, eaten; etc. You also have spells you can use on your enemies like shock, fire, water, etc. Or you can drop a fireball on your city just for fun, and watch the buildings burn and the people scream as they die from being on fire. It's still fun, but you will be frusterated when things don't go according to plan. you can always take it out on an innocent villager if you wish.