More mature stories and demanding gameplay: games tailored for teenagers, without tipping into adults-only content. RomWize selects the best games for this age range by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Reinventing the series, this adventure blends intense action, over-the-shoulder shooting and tension that never lets up, all in masterful staging. Older teens craving strong sensations and snappy gameplay will find a high point of the genre. The violence is raw and some scenes very graphic: clearly a title for 16 and up."
"With its dazzling visual style and jazz-pop soundtrack, this RPG follows high-schoolers leading a double life as Phantom Thieves who reform corrupt adults. The blend of turn-based combat, time management and social bonds is hugely compelling. Rated 16: it confronts abuse, suicide and manipulation head-on, heavy themes that warrant an informed eye."
"Bringing together the Dark Knight's urban epic and all its content offers a vast playground, ideal for a teen who wants to explore, fight and unlock everything in a teeming gothic city. The freedom of movement and the wealth of challenges keep you hooked. The oppressive atmosphere and the violence of the fights reserve it for the older end of the range."
"Roaming freely through a city handed over to criminals, gliding between skyscrapers and chaining fights makes this sequel a benchmark that energizes teens who love action and exploration. The teeming gothic world and the sense of power are exhilarating. The dark mood and the violence of the fights aim it at the older end of the range."
"For older teens, this sci-fi FPS became a legend thanks to its sweeping level design, well-judged sense of power and polished military-space universe. The pace of its battles and its multiplayer make it as much a solo as a social, highly replayable experience. A note of caution: this is a futuristic war where you shoot on sight; the armed violence, though stylized, justifies a 16-and-over framing."
"A pinnacle of stealth and direction, Metal Gear Solid 2 blends quiet action, ingenious gadgets and a dizzyingly dense plot about information, manipulation and identity. Kojima's virtuosity fascinates and leaves a lasting mark, but this adult masterpiece, its violence, complex themes and grueling passages make it a 16-and-up title. A demanding work that rewards attention more than reflexes."
"A pinnacle of stealth and direction, Metal Gear Solid 2 blends quiet action, ingenious gadgets and a dizzyingly dense plot about information, manipulation and identity. Kojima's virtuosity fascinates and leaves a lasting mark, but this adult masterpiece, its violence, complex themes and grueling passages make it a 16-and-up title. A demanding work that rewards attention more than reflexes."
"Near-total freedom and remarkable writing make this one of the deepest RPGs around: you play heroes with strong backstories in tactical fights where the environment (fire, poison, height) becomes a weapon. Four-player co-op is a real plus. Rated 16: harsh moral choices, violence and adult themes are front and centre, and its density demands patience."
"Hailed as a peak of the genre, this installment carries a teen from a train at full speed to lost cities in the Himalayas, with rare intensity. Platforming, puzzles and gunfights chain together in stunning staging that rewards skill and composure. The armed violence stays realistic: this snappy adventure addresses a mature audience, around 16, not children."
"More ambitious still, this chapter blends breathless chases, dizzying climbs and online co-op into an unforgettable adventure tapestry. The epic sweep and endearing characters let a teen feel they're living a great film as its hero. The armed violence stays realistic, though: this intense epic addresses a mature audience, around 16, not children."
"A tense dive into modern warfare, this campaign strings together gripping, cinematic missions whose staging set a benchmark. The famously well-paced multiplayer explains a whole generation's attachment. The violence stays realistic and the military framing weighs heavily: the experience clearly targets older teens, best approached with some perspective rather than casually."
"Hyper-choreographed and spectacular, this action game pushes combat fluidity and staging to a rare level, which can dazzle style-loving teens. The tone, though, is firmly adult: the witch heroine is heavily sexualised, the humour is suggestive and the violence is constant. The 16 rating is well earned and worth respecting."
"Between endless deserts and breathtaking twists, this installment pushes the art of grand interactive spectacle even further, leaving its mark on a teen. The friendship at the story's heart, the humor and the sumptuous settings make the adventure deeply rewarding. The armed violence stays realistic, nonetheless: this intense odyssey targets a mature audience, around 16, not younger players."
"Spectacular and fast, this fighter shines with its counters, interactive arenas and an instant pick-up-and-play feel that pleases from the first exchanges. The competition is approachable without sacrificing technique. Note that some heavily suggestive female characters justify its 16 rating, a point to keep in mind depending on sensibilities."
"For older teens, this sci-fi FPS became a legend thanks to its sweeping level design, well-judged sense of power and polished military-space universe. The pace of its battles and its multiplayer make it as much a solo as a social, highly replayable experience. A note of caution: this is a futuristic war where you shoot on sight; the armed violence, though stylized, justifies a 16-and-over framing."
"Gathering the adventure and its extra content, this complete edition offers a teen the journey at its most generous breadth. Grandiose settings, sincere friendship and cinematic staging make every sequence gripping and rewarding. The armed violence stays realistic, though: this intense epic addresses a mature audience, around 16, not children."
"More mature than its predecessors, this sweeping saga unfolds a rich political world, schemes of power and a demanding combat system that rewards planning. A strategy-minded teen will find rare depth and freedom here, in a gorgeous world. Best reserved for ages sixteen and up, though: the adult writing, the themes of war and betrayal, and a genuine tactical complexity suit an already seasoned player better."
"A master of stealth, this game rewards patience and cleverness: staying in the shadows, taking foes down silently and improvising when a plan falls apart deliver exquisite tension and a real sense of mastery. The ingenious level design and freedom of approach leave a lasting mark. The adult espionage mood, dry violence and a few rough interrogations reserve it for older teens, 16 and up."
"A horror tale spanning several centuries, this adventure plays brilliantly with the player's sanity through destabilising effects and chilling storytelling. Older teens attuned to unsettling moods will be fascinated. Fear, unease and violence are pronounced: an experience to keep for 16 and up."
"Between high-school life, friendships and exploring a haunted tower after midnight, this RPG blends daily-life management with strategic turn-based battles. You forge bonds, build your character and literally face your fears in a mature story that tackles death head-on. Best for older teens, it embraces heavy themes, adult symbolism and a hefty length: advised from 16 and up."
