7 brilliant games for children and parents
For a long time, we parents have had a decisive influence on our children's media consumption. We choose what we read to them or look for suitable reading material as soon as they can read for themselves. We also pay attention to what they watch on television or streaming services. Parents are the curators of their children.
Of course, from a certain age, children are not so easily talked into it. But by then, we have created an important foundation and «provided» them with quality. Of course, when children later engage with media content on their own, we don't necessarily have to like it. But because they have learnt to recognise and appreciate high-quality content, they will return to it at a later date. This also applies to games. Here, too, parents can focus on good and meaningful games at an early age. Children will still play «Fortnite» - but will return to more challenging games at some point.
Here are seven good and clever games for children and teenagers.
1. children's book classics as a game
Schnupferich Snufkin: The Melody of the Moomin Valley (Raw Fury)
The Moomins are the heroes of Scandinavian author Tove Jansson (1914-2001), who created classics of children's literature with these creatures. How nice that the Swedish games company Raw Fury is honouring the author with this game. Schnupferich with his big hat wanders through beautifully designed landscapes and plays the harmonica. The animals are at his service with their melodies: they build a tree ladder so that he can reach higher levels of the game, for example, or distract bad-tempered policemen. The adventure game exudes a calm atmosphere and does not put children under pressure. A really nice game.
From 8 years, for Switch, PC, approx. 30 Fr.
2. great fun!
Astro Bot (Sony)
Astro Bots are small, cute robots. Since an attack on their spaceship, they have been scattered across numerous planets. In this cheerful platform game, players search for the former crew on around 50 planets and run, jump and shimmy their way through the colourful levels. There are secret hiding places and things to collect everywhere, so it's always worth going round again. Enemies and bosses demand a great deal of skill and responsiveness. Thanks to its wealth of ideas, this game puts other platformers in the shade.
From 8 years, for Playstation 5, approx. 50 Fr.
It's impossible to play «The Bold Squire» without smiling the whole time.
3. innovative game
The bold squire (Devolver)
There hasn't been a game for children this imaginative and bursting with fresh ideas for a long time. The story takes place page by page in an animated picture book. In it, the bold squire Jot and his friends take on the evil wizard Grummweil. The game is an adventure, action and puzzle game all in one. In addition to small battles, puzzles have to be solved and words lying on the floor have to be placed in the right places to open up new paths and levels. It is impossible to play «The Bold Squire» without smiling the whole time.
From 8 years, for PC, Playstation 5, Xbox X/S, approx. 50 Fr.
4th encouragement game
Emyo (Refutura)
«Emyo» is a very special game with a great message. On the surface, it's about playing basketball with a little fox in space. However, «Emyo» also stands for «Empower Yourself». Right at the beginning, the players are asked how they rate their self-confidence. The game uses encouraging comments to motivate the children to persevere in the face of hurdles and challenges instead of giving up. In this way, «Emyo» not only strengthens perseverance, but also self-confidence. This creates a mindset that helps children to deal better with difficulties in everyday life.
From 8 years, app for iOS and Android, first level free, full version approx. 8 Fr.
5. relaxing
Summerhouse (Friedemann)
«Summerhouse» is a big surprise hit. Perhaps precisely because there is no classic objective in this indie game. In this sandbox game with a beautiful pixel look, children can explore areas or build, decorate houses and design landscapes as they wish. It is one of the few games that is not hectic, but simply relaxing.
From 10 years, PC, approx. 5 Fr.
Harold Halibut is a game that parents also like to play - secretly, when the children are in bed.
6 Decelerated adventure
Harold Halibut (Slow Bros)
If director Wes Anderson developed games instead of making films, they would look like «Harold Halibut». In order to escape the warlike events on Earth, the spaceship Fedora takes off into space with a few people. In search of a suitable planet, it crashes on an alien star and sinks into a mysterious sea.
In the role of laboratory assistant Harold Halibut, you have to solve many puzzles and tease out important clues from the dialogues with quirky characters. This opulently staged adventure game is characterised in particular by its attention to detail: Every object in this game has been handcrafted and painstakingly captured using stop-motion camera technology. «Harold Halibut» is a game that parents also enjoy playing - secretly, when the children are in bed.
From 12 years, for PC, Playstation 5, Xbox X/S, approx. 40 Fr.
7. serious game on democracy
Join the Comfortzone (Jugendstiftung Baden-Württemberg)
For many children who grow up in a democratic country from birth, it is difficult to imagine a monitored everyday life in a dictatorship. But a short round in the dystopian «Join the Comfortzone» is enough to get a deep impression of life in a totalitarian regime.
The hero is a popular TV presenter whose rebellious sister falls out of favour with the state. Now the players have to decide whether they want to help the sister - or betray her. The more the family ties count, the quicker the presenter loses his job, has to give up privileges and may even become a hunted enemy of the state.
It is these decisions that bring the players into uncomfortable questions of conscience. The game is presented in a sober comic style and impresses with its suspense and excellent voice actors. A real lesson.
From 12 years, free of charge, join-the-comfortzone.com
