BitLife - Life Simulator
By Chris Morris,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Make text-based choices from cradle to grave; not for kids.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this app.
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
BitLife - Life Simulator
Community Reviews
Based on 34 parent reviews
BitLife
Report this review
Great for teens
Report this review
What’s It About?
In BITLIFE - LIFE SIMULATOR begins with an animated sperm to show that your life is about to begin. Players live a simulated life and have the choice of playing it straight and narrow or making a series of riskier decisions to see the impact those would have. These can range from one-night stands and threesomes to murdering family members to dropping out of school early to ignoring your health. Often, the choices don't have consequences, but other times it can result in the player being jailed, breaking up with a spouse or paramour, or dying. The life you live is largely based on your choices, but the unexpected pops up from time to time as well.
Is It Any Good?
This life simulator is certainly an entertaining distraction for adults, but the mature content makes it best for adults or older teens, depending on your stance on the subjects introduced in the app. It's fun to play the game of "What if?" with so many options available to you (whether that's a night at the casino, getting plastic surgery, experimenting sexually or not factoring in your financial situation). But make no mistake: There's nothing here that is appropriate for kids or, in many cases, teens.
In the first life of the review, for example, the character's mother's occupation was "porn actor" (and she kept getting promoted). The game regularly offers your character drugs and alcohol, encourages you to gamble and either have a hookup with a stranger or coerce a boyfriend/girlfriend into having a threesome. The language is a bit bawdy, but it's all meant in a humorous vein. Similarly, you always have the option to murder a character and it's done in a light-hearted fashion. So while older teens and adults who understand the tongue-in-cheek approach and mature content will likely get a kick out of this simulator, BitLife - Life Simulator is definitely not appropriate for kids and younger teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way sex, and relationships are presented in BitLife - Life Simulator. Are there consequences to any of this behavior? Should there be? Why, or why not?
Families can also talk about the impact of other life choices. If you choose to commit a crime, are dishonest, or are cruel to people, what might the consequences be?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Pricing structure: Free (optional $1.99 in-app purchase to remove ads; $4.99 to become a "Bitizen" for more content; $.99 to use the "Time Machine" and revisit choices)
- Release date: December 11, 2018
- Category: Simulation Games
- Publisher: Candywriter LLC
- Version: 1.7.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated: March 5, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Download
Our Editors Recommend
Simulation Games and Apps
Games That Help Kids Think Critically
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate