Merek's Market
Big Village Games Ltd-
Stadia - 15/09/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 3 and features occasional very mild violence in a comical or abstract context. Suitable for all ages.
Brief outline of the game
Shop management simulation game, set in medieval times, in which players take ownership of a small shop and engage in haggling, bartering and crafting to grow their business.
Content specific issues
Players are able to slap other players and customers. If a customer is slapped, they show an angry face but no further reaction. The violence is very mild, comic and cartoon-like.
Other issues
In one level, a harmless dragon bursts into the shop. This occurs suddenly and could be surprising for younger children. However, nobody is hurt.
Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2: Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound / ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman
NIS America, Inc-
Nintendo Switch - 25/03/2022
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 12 because it features moderate violence, use of bad language, and scenes of a sexual nature. Not suitable for persons under 12 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Compilation of two classic NIS role-playing games, 'Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound' and 'ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman'.
Content specific issues
These games feature non-detailed and non-realistic looking violence towards human-like and fantasy characters. When characters are hit, damage is generally indicated using numbers and when defeated the character disappears. Violence is shown from a distance and the characters are pixelated in nature. In one scene, a human character is hit by a vehicle and thrown into the air. There is also use of bad language, including 'bitch', 'bastard', 'pissed' and 'slut'. Some dialogue contains references to male and female genitalia.
Other issues
One character holds an unlit cigarette in his mouth but is not shown smoking.
Dark Thrones / Witch Hunter Double Pack
Funbox Media Ltd-
PlayStation 4 - 24/09/2021
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Nintendo Switch - 24/09/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 16 because it features scenes of bloody violence in an arcade setting. Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Compilation of two games. Both games are endless platform runners in which players must jump over and slide under various obstacles, while defeating enemies along the way.
Content specific issues
In both games, there are copious blood sprays when enemy characters are hit.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.-
PlayStation 4 - 22/10/2021
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PC - 22/10/2021
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PlayStation 5 - 22/10/2021
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Xbox One - 22/10/2021
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Xbox Series X|S - 22/10/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 18 which restricts availability to ADULTS ONLY and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating has been given because it features graphic violence, violence against vulnerable and defenceless characters, and use of strong language.
Brief outline of the game
Horror game, set in Iraq, in which Special Forces searching for weapons of mass destruction unearth a buried temple containing a nest of monsters.
Content specific issues
This game features scenes of graphic violence, including a sequence in which a woman is impaled on a spear. She then slides down the weapon towards the ground. There is also sight of mutilated bodies throughout the game. There is also violence against defenceless characters, including a restrained man being hit with the butt of a gun during an interrogation. The game also includes use of strong language ('fuck').
Other issues
There is a strong sense of threat and dread throughout.
MONARK
NIS America, Inc-
Nintendo Switch - 11/02/2022
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PlayStation 4 - 11/02/2022
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PlayStation 5 - 11/02/2022
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 12 because it features moderate violence and use of bad language. Not suitable for persons under 12 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Role-playing game in which the Shin Mikado Academy has been engulfed in a madness-inducing mist. Players must find the Pactbearers, remove the corruption and save the school.
Content specific issues
This game features moderate violence, mainly in the form of turn-based battles between human and demonic characters. Characters attack each other using both weapons and magical abilities. When characters are hit, damage is shown using numbers and there is no sight of blood or injuries. Once an enemy character's health is depleted, it vanishes. When a member of the player's team is defeated, they fall to their knees until they can be revived. The game also includes frequent use of bad language, including 'dick', 'shit', 'bastard' and 'asshole'.
Other issues
Cinematic scenes include some sight of blood in the aftermath of violence that is not shown on screen. When a character transforms, a shard appears to burst from his chest and he coughs up some blood. There are sequences in which characters who have been driven mad by a spell step off a roof.
Godfall: Fire & Darkness
Gearbox Publishing-
PC - 10/08/2021
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PlayStation 4 - 10/08/2021
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PlayStation 5 - 10/08/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 16 because it features strong violence. Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
DLC for the action role-playing game, Godfall, comprising new missions, bosses, modes and other effects.
Content specific issues
This game contains frequent depictions of realistic looking violence towards human-like and fantasy characters. Characters let out grunts of pain and stagger backwards when attacked. When a character is defeated, blood splatters onto the surroundings and their body falls limply fall to the floor, where they then disintegrate into bright coloured flecks. The majority of the violence is inflicted using weapons such as swords, hammers and axes. However, some firearms and spells are used as well. Regardless of the type of weapon used, the reaction to the violence remains the same.
Dark Alliance
Wizards of the Coast LLC-
PlayStation 4 - 22/06/2021
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PlayStation 5 - 22/06/2021
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Xbox One - 22/06/2021
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Xbox Series X|S - 22/06/2021
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PC - 22/06/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 16 because it features strong violence. Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Action role-playing game set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. Up to four players can choose from a range of legendary characters as they take on various missions.
Content specific issues
The cinematic scenes feature moments of graphic violence involving fantasy characters. For example, goblins are impaled and eaten by trolls, while trolls are set on fire and fall into pits of lava. There is also sight of the corpses of dwarves being butchered and prepared for cooking. Violence during gameplay is less graphic and generally involves a mixture of human and fantasy characters, such as dwarves, engaging in close combat with other fantasy creatures, such as goblins, trolls and dragons. When characters are hit, damage is indicated by numbers. Characters respond realistically to blows and there is some sight of blood, although there is no sight of detailed injuries. Corpses sometimes remain in view for a while, after characters are defeated. The background of the game sometimes shows the bodies of dead fantasy characters.
Other issues
The game also includes use of bad language ('piss', 'shit', 'bastard', 'bullshit', 'arse'), as well as use of the 'middle finger' gesture.
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
Akupara Games, LLC-
Stadia - 15/04/2021
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Nintendo Switch - 23/11/2023
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 12 because it features use of bad language. Not suitable for persons under 12 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Point-and-click adventure sequel in which players investigate paranormal and other bizarre cases alongside Detective McQueen and Officer Dooley.
Content specific issues
The game contains infrequent use of bad language ('bloody' and 'goddamn').
Other issues
The game also features some mild violence, including scenes of wrestling, and some non sexual nudity. There are references to alcohol and drugs although their use is not shown.
Lost Ark
Amazon.com Services LLC t/a Amazon Games-
PC - 08/02/2022
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 18 which restricts availability to ADULTS ONLY and is not suitable for anyone below this age. This rating has been given because it features violence against vulnerable and defenceless characters and motiveless killing of innocent characters. Not suitable for persons under 18 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Role-playing game in which players take on the role of a hero in a world infested by demons. Players must find the Lost Ark and use its power to save the world.
Content specific issues
Violence during gameplay results in reductions in characters' life bars. Responses to violence are minimal although there is sight of blood effects. Some enemies explode when defeated but disappear soon after. Cinematic scenes feature stronger violence, including characters being shot and cut down, as well as a scene in which a character is held in the air by a magical force, choking as he clutches his throat. There is also a cinematic sequence in which a group of unarmed villages, including women and children, are executed by a group of archers as they are herded against a rock face. The characters plead for mercy and are unable to escape.
Other issues
This game offers players the opportunity to purchase in-game items - in the form of crystals, mounts, consumables, starters and currency packs - which some parents or carers may want to be aware of. Parents, carers, or other responsible adults should check to see what is being offered before making any purchase on behalf of a child. It should be noted that the game can still be played without the need to purchase such items.
Sparkle Ultimate Collection
Forever Entertainment S. A-
Nintendo Switch - 04/01/2021
Advice for consumers
This game has received a PEGI 7 because it features mild violence that lacks any apparent harm or injury to fantasy or mythical beings and creatures. Not suitable for persons under 7 years of age.
Brief outline of the game
Collection of four games in the 'Sparkle' series in which the player guides a small spark of life as it grows and evolves by collecting various items.
Content specific issues
Gameplay features violence towards fantasy characters. The violence is unrealistic in nature, as are reactions to it. Enemies flash when hit, disperse into particles when beaten, and leave behind various cell-like pick-ups.
Other issues
In particular, the fourth game in the series has a dark atmosphere and setting. While you swim through the void, strange and potentially disturbing creatures can be seen in the background, accompanied by eerie sound design.