Posted March 17, 2015
high rated
So the point of this thread is two-fold:
1. A place for GOG parents and caregivers (uncles/aunts/godparents/etc.) to commiserate on the trials and tribulations of child rearing.
2. A place to gather ideas and experiences about sharing our passion for games with our kids.
I've created a new GOGmix titled: Kid Tested, Mother Approved GOG Titles
I'll also be updating this first post and the GOGmix with recommended titles for kids, GOG or otherwise. I'm only putting titles here though that you have actual personal experience with in terms of kids playing or watching you play the titles. Initially I was going to list all games that people think might be suitable, but such a list is basically too open ended and unmanageable. What I think would work better is if you put a mini review of your experience with the title, and how it played out with respect to the kids that played it.
List of Battle-tested Recommended Games For Kids
Bomberman Blast (Recommended by ymerejsasnak)
"I have a 5-year-old daughter whose favorite game, until our Wii broke, was Bomberman Blast."
Botanicula (Recommended by ymerejsasnak)
"While the gameplay was a little too much randomly-click-on-things-to-see-what-happens for me, the visuals and music were amazing, and my daughter really enjoyed the bits of it she played."
FTL: Advanced Edition
I played this together with my kids aged 6 & 4. I was on the controls and reading the dialogue aloud, and they would help make decisions on what dialogue options to choose, which jump points to go to next, and what items to buy. It was a great experience for all of us, and allowed me to teach them some things about logic, failure & persistence, and probabilities. It also engaged their imaginations to incorporate sci-fi themes into their drawings and play.
Gobliiins Pack (Recommended by dr.schliemann)
"I still remember how much my niece loved to play Gobliiins series, back when she was only a child. It's not easy to choose an age range, but I think it could be played together with an adult by kids 5 to 10 years old, and solo by kids 10+."
Home Sheep Home 2
This was a nice little puzzler that features characters from the animated TV show Shaun the Sheep. Some of the puzzles were a bit difficult for my 6-year-old son to complete due to both keyboard dexterity and figuring out how to proceed, but with a little help on the controls when necessary or with some small hints or pieces of advice on what to try, he could finish the game. Although my 4-year-old couldn't really do the controls or figure out the puzzles, there are a lot of nice, humorous touches to be found so he really enjoyed watching.
Incredipede
Kind of like a fleshed-out QWOP featuring beautiful artwork and fun physics-based mechanics. Many of the levels are easy enough for my 6-year-old to handle on his own, but the difficulty ramps up in some spots and I had to take the controls at times. It's very enjoyable though for kids to just watch during the really difficult levels, as the QWOP-like controls and physics make for some very funny situations.
Jetpack (Recommended by BillyMaysFan59)
"Level editor is tons of fun, and according to the developer's web page for Jetpack, some schools bought it back in the day because they considered the level editor to be educational, encouraging students' creativity. It's freeware and it's easy enough to load up in DOSBox, though I'd be the first to clap if Jetpack ever made it to GOG. :)"
Plants Vs. Zombies (Recommended by 01kipper)
"my son (7 years old) is totally into Plants vs Zombies, and Plants vs Zombies 2, as are both of his best friends at school (age 8). I have no idea about what would be a recommended age, but he plays both games by himself without any supervision needed."
Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo
A very catchy intro tune, fantastic animation and voice acting, and a fully interactive cartoon world made this a terrific experience for both my 6 and 4 years old boys. Both of them were able to handle the simple point & click mouse controls, and while my 4-year-old needed some help in some spots my 6-year-old could pretty much figure it out on his own. Like a good animated TV show or movie, this one can entertain them through multiple replays.
Rayman Origins (Recommended by gunshellmav)
"My seven year old nephew and I played that one together. The fun never stopped."
Sam & Max Hit the Road (Recommended by 01kipper)
"My 7 year old watched me play this for a while, and liked the game so much he actually took over about half way through the game (with my help). Then he replayed the entire game again by himself. But I'd classify it as "twaa", because he did need my help during the first playthrough. "
Simcity 2000 (Recommended by 01kipper)
"After a short tutorial by myself to show him the basics, my 7 year old is now happily building his own successful city and has figured out some new stuff on his own. So this one is a "solo"."
Terraria (Recommended by tinyE)
"I just noticed no Terraria (unless I missed it). My niece and nephew love that game, and they are really good at it. TBH it makes me feel pretty pathetic that I'm so bad at it. :P There is nothing like seeing a nine year old girl roll her eyes after she looks at your fort. XD"
Vertical Drop Heroes (Recommended by JudasIscariot)
"Surprised you don't have Vertical Drop Heroes :) That was made by a parent and kids love the game as a friend of mine had his nieces play the game with him :)"
1. A place for GOG parents and caregivers (uncles/aunts/godparents/etc.) to commiserate on the trials and tribulations of child rearing.
2. A place to gather ideas and experiences about sharing our passion for games with our kids.
I've created a new GOGmix titled: Kid Tested, Mother Approved GOG Titles
I'll also be updating this first post and the GOGmix with recommended titles for kids, GOG or otherwise. I'm only putting titles here though that you have actual personal experience with in terms of kids playing or watching you play the titles. Initially I was going to list all games that people think might be suitable, but such a list is basically too open ended and unmanageable. What I think would work better is if you put a mini review of your experience with the title, and how it played out with respect to the kids that played it.
List of Battle-tested Recommended Games For Kids
Bomberman Blast (Recommended by ymerejsasnak)
"I have a 5-year-old daughter whose favorite game, until our Wii broke, was Bomberman Blast."
Botanicula (Recommended by ymerejsasnak)
"While the gameplay was a little too much randomly-click-on-things-to-see-what-happens for me, the visuals and music were amazing, and my daughter really enjoyed the bits of it she played."
FTL: Advanced Edition
I played this together with my kids aged 6 & 4. I was on the controls and reading the dialogue aloud, and they would help make decisions on what dialogue options to choose, which jump points to go to next, and what items to buy. It was a great experience for all of us, and allowed me to teach them some things about logic, failure & persistence, and probabilities. It also engaged their imaginations to incorporate sci-fi themes into their drawings and play.
Gobliiins Pack (Recommended by dr.schliemann)
"I still remember how much my niece loved to play Gobliiins series, back when she was only a child. It's not easy to choose an age range, but I think it could be played together with an adult by kids 5 to 10 years old, and solo by kids 10+."
Home Sheep Home 2
This was a nice little puzzler that features characters from the animated TV show Shaun the Sheep. Some of the puzzles were a bit difficult for my 6-year-old son to complete due to both keyboard dexterity and figuring out how to proceed, but with a little help on the controls when necessary or with some small hints or pieces of advice on what to try, he could finish the game. Although my 4-year-old couldn't really do the controls or figure out the puzzles, there are a lot of nice, humorous touches to be found so he really enjoyed watching.
Incredipede
Kind of like a fleshed-out QWOP featuring beautiful artwork and fun physics-based mechanics. Many of the levels are easy enough for my 6-year-old to handle on his own, but the difficulty ramps up in some spots and I had to take the controls at times. It's very enjoyable though for kids to just watch during the really difficult levels, as the QWOP-like controls and physics make for some very funny situations.
Jetpack (Recommended by BillyMaysFan59)
"Level editor is tons of fun, and according to the developer's web page for Jetpack, some schools bought it back in the day because they considered the level editor to be educational, encouraging students' creativity. It's freeware and it's easy enough to load up in DOSBox, though I'd be the first to clap if Jetpack ever made it to GOG. :)"
Plants Vs. Zombies (Recommended by 01kipper)
"my son (7 years old) is totally into Plants vs Zombies, and Plants vs Zombies 2, as are both of his best friends at school (age 8). I have no idea about what would be a recommended age, but he plays both games by himself without any supervision needed."
Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo
A very catchy intro tune, fantastic animation and voice acting, and a fully interactive cartoon world made this a terrific experience for both my 6 and 4 years old boys. Both of them were able to handle the simple point & click mouse controls, and while my 4-year-old needed some help in some spots my 6-year-old could pretty much figure it out on his own. Like a good animated TV show or movie, this one can entertain them through multiple replays.
Rayman Origins (Recommended by gunshellmav)
"My seven year old nephew and I played that one together. The fun never stopped."
Sam & Max Hit the Road (Recommended by 01kipper)
"My 7 year old watched me play this for a while, and liked the game so much he actually took over about half way through the game (with my help). Then he replayed the entire game again by himself. But I'd classify it as "twaa", because he did need my help during the first playthrough. "
Simcity 2000 (Recommended by 01kipper)
"After a short tutorial by myself to show him the basics, my 7 year old is now happily building his own successful city and has figured out some new stuff on his own. So this one is a "solo"."
Terraria (Recommended by tinyE)
"I just noticed no Terraria (unless I missed it). My niece and nephew love that game, and they are really good at it. TBH it makes me feel pretty pathetic that I'm so bad at it. :P There is nothing like seeing a nine year old girl roll her eyes after she looks at your fort. XD"
Vertical Drop Heroes (Recommended by JudasIscariot)
"Surprised you don't have Vertical Drop Heroes :) That was made by a parent and kids love the game as a friend of mine had his nieces play the game with him :)"
Post edited May 06, 2015 by the.kuribo
