What game for a 10yo this Xmas?

[V8Wagon]

So my boy really really wants COD for Christmas but my wife is very reluctant (probably rightly) to let him have it due to his age.

He's got the usual Minecraft, FIFA and Forza games....any suggestions for an alternative? Maybe another first person game that isn't so violent, or something else all together.

He's also got Plants V Zombies which is okay, but I think it's the 'realism' of COD that he wants.

[Steve Campbell]

Just don't "get" why anyone would allow a 10 year old to play a modern 18 rating game...but each to their own I suppose. I have a 12 year old and despite his constant moaning that some of his mates play COD (or other 18 rated), he's never playing those in my house until he's much older. These days, they are way too realistic and violent in my view. They grow up way too fast anyway !!!

What console ? Might limit what games available.....

Games that mine has loved (on top of FIFA and Minecraft) :

Portal 2 (if they like puzzles...we played this together loads .. difficult to describe as it's kind of unique)
Lego (Batman & Pirates of the Caribbean ...again both played it co-op style..no description needed I don't think)
Little Big Planet 2 (Co-op again ... bizarre platform game, clearly made by someone on LSD !)
Skylanders (expensive when you "have" to buy the extra figures ...co-op....unique idea...plastic figures go on a platform you have in front of you & you play as that figure in the game...platform shoot em up, fighting etc)
Prince of Persia (The Forgotten Sands) ... this has violence but a 12 rating .... kind of a sword swiping, monster/skeleton fighting, jumping, puzzles platform game. Puzzles might be tough for a 10 year old as game progresses...depends how much he's played this kind of game.

Hope that helps

Edited by Steve Campbell on Monday 14th December 09:34

Edited by Steve Campbell on Monday 14th December 09:37

Edited by Steve Campbell on Monday 14th December 09:41

Edited by Steve Campbell on Monday 14th December 09:42

[Foliage]

Kerbal Space Programs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerbal_Space_Program
Space Engineer

[Bullett]

Star Wars Battlefront?

[Cerberus90]

Mirrors Edge?

+1 on the Lego games, really enjoyed some of them.

[Mannginger]

It's amazing how many games are 16/18 rated. Does make a mockery of the Ratings Board though as most of the console games are over-run with kids. Why do they even bother?

[DoctorX]

Guitar Hero or Lego Dimensions? The latter looks great, apart from the pricey add-ons.

[justanother5tar]

Just buy him CoD.

Ive been playing it since the first one came in 2003, I was 12 then. Never did me any harm.

[Bullett]

I think we are still in a place where 'it's a game' and 'games are for kids' is the default position. Most parent don't realise that games are very realistic in the depiction of violence/blood/gore and many games have very adult themes.

That said I think the ratings need looking at as they can be unrealistic. I can see why GTA is an 18 but not really why Star Wars is a 16. Reading on the PEGI site the rating is because of realistic looking violence. It's no more violent than the original Trilogy films in my opinion, and those were U certificate.

[DoctorX]

Halo games seem to 16+ but there's no blood, swearing etc. Just the act of shooting something seems to be enough to push the age limit up. Maybe a good choice for the OP, it's fairly tame.