There are many opinions about the risks and benefits of computer use by children but I am not about to discuss them in this post. My husband is a techie who enjoys computer games so it makes sense that computer games have a place in our home. Around here games are a privilege, and because my eldest enjoys games so much he works hard to have that privilege which is great. We don’t allow gory or violent games and time spent playing games is usually limited to evenings when my husband is home. Computer gaming isn’t my passion by nature, but loving a man that enjoys it so much has forced me to be more open to it. These days I would rather have my older children playing a good computer game than watching shows!
I asked my husband to help me compile a list of indie computer games that he thinks are appropriate for children (6 and up), please use your own judgement as always. The games listed below can be purchased directly from the game developers or from an online games distributor such as Steam, I linked to both.
Faster Than Light
Felix’s favourite.
Terraria
Another of Felix’s favourites. Note that there are zombies. A great co-op game!
NightSky
Felix played this game a lot starting at age 4. I also have enjoyed this game.
VVVVVV
Fun but some parts are very difficult.
Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
A fun family game, that helps develop a sense of rhythm.
Dungeon Defenders
This game is better for older children, 8+, and best played cooperatively with friends and family.
FEZ
A fun game, that can be difficult.
“Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives. Explore a serene and beautiful open-ended world full of secrets, puzzles and hidden treasures. Unearth the mysteries of the past and discover the truth about reality and perception. Change your perspective and look at the world in a different way.” (Steam)
Trine 2
Better suited for older children, 8+, and best played cooperatively. A beautiful game!
“Trine 2 is a sidescrolling game of action, puzzles and platforming where you play as one of Three Heroes who make their way through dangers untold in a fantastical fairytale world. Join Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight and Zoya the Thief in their adventure full of friendship, magic and betrayal. Trine 2: Complete Story fully integrates the Goblin Menace expansion campaign and the all-new unlockable Dwarven Caverns level into one mighty fairytale. All owners of Trine 2: Goblin Menace are automatically upgraded to the Complete Story edition.” (Steam)
SpaceChem
For older children, 10+, this is an incredibly difficult puzzle game and is not for everyone. My husband *loved* this game and it even has A Guide for Educators.
“Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products! Streamline your designs to meet production quotas and survive encounters with the sinister threats that plague SpaceChem.” (Steam)
2 comments
First time I've seen an article with a bunch of my favourite games… excellent!
Those games would be too complicated for me. Although very interesting. I'll leave them for a younger generations.