First of all, i don't care that the critics say about it being too linear and not true to the series. I actually Liked the mostly linear parts of the game because the story and characters are the most important parts of any Final Fantasy. Secondly, there is a reason the game holds your hand through the first half: it's easily the hardest Final Fantasy game to date! I couldn't find anything that would deter a perent from preventing their kids from playing this game apart from some mild language and violence, which is a given in any T rated game, however, most people without fast reflexes and a comlpete understanding of the battle system may have your kids crying in your lap eventually.