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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
Best: Really engaging, excellent learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Game reviews for self-direction

162 results

show:

  • Review
    Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall

    Great haunted house mystery with challenging puzzles.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Mac, Windows
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Soul Sacrifice

    Solid action RPG leaks blood at every turn.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation Vita
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Star Trek

    So-so sci-fi shooter based on rebooted movie series.
    AGE
    14
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Injustice: Gods Among Us

    DC Comics characters pummel each other -- with some blood.
    AGE
    15
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Terraria

    Finicky but fun Minecraft-style game set in a 2D world.
    AGE
    11
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14

    Engaging sports sim celebrates golf history.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Gears of War: Judgment

    Bloody sci-fi shoot 'em up is laced with profanity.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

    TV-based horror game is violent, gory, and profanity laden.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    LEGO City Undercover

    The game promotes exploration, discovery, and imagination in a colorful and cartoonish world that feels like the world's biggest LEGO collection come to life.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Nintendo Wii U
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm

    "Stellar" sci-fi strategy expansion wows fans of the series.
    AGE
    14
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Mac, Windows
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    MLB 2K13

    Mediocre baseball game resembles last year's title.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    SimCity

    Exciting but technically flawed city-building simulation.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Windows
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

    Fast pace, intense violence/gore take series on new course.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Brain Age: Concentration Training

    Brain training game purports to help your working memory.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    The Sims 3: 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff

    Let your Sims relive earlier eras with this decent add-on.
    AGE
    15
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Windows
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    DmC Devil May Cry

    Rebirth of aging franchise, still filled with gore and sex.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Anarchy Reigns

    Post-apocalyptic fighting game with violence and gore.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2013)
  • Review
    Megapolis

    Cross-platform building sim shines with real-world graphics.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Facebook, iPhone
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    Power Rangers Super Samurai

    Kids mimic fighting on Kinect; filled with fantasy violence.
    AGE
    11
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Xbox 360
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    The Walking Dead - A TellTale Games Series

    Extremely violent, profanity-filled zombie adventure.
    AGE
    17
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    Mayan Mysteries

    Cartoony learning adventure about ancient Mayan culture.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    4
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    CoasterVille

    Build your own amusement park on Facebook with your friends.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Facebook
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade

    Compilation of family mini-games is mostly a bust.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    1
    Platforms: Nintendo Wii U
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault

    Fast-paced action romp with cartoony violence.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
    (Game, 2012)
  • Review
    Criminal Case

    Gruesome crime scenes become Facebook hidden-object puzzles.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Facebook
    (Game, 2012)