The Best Family Video Games Of 2018 So Far, Ordered By Age Rating

Credit: Compiled by Andy Robertson

There have been some really innovative and enjoyable video games aimed at families this year. However, it's not always clear which is best suited for your children.

Because they offer a consistent and official measure of age-suitability the ESRB ratings can be helpful here. Along with the the ratings themselves they also provide detail description of the content of each game with is really useful.

I've gone through the soon-to-be-released and upcoming games for families, and listed all the ones we've played the most, and the game that the children are anticipating. I should mention, notable exceptions that we don't have ESRB details for are Spider Man and Super Smash Bros. Infinite. Also popular games from previous years include Splatoon 2, Gang Beasts.

So, here's my age-ordered list to help you find the titles that are most appropriate for your children.

Forza Horizon 4 (E for Everyone) Xbox One 

Credit: Microsoft

Coming in October this year, Forza Horizon 4 is the next update in the open world racing simulator. It includes over 450 licensed cars along with a new route creator to let players create new race challenges. It's set in England, Wales, and Scotland and is fun for players of all ages, and accommodates youngsters well even if they just want to explore the landscape. New this year is the ability to buy properties and a dynamic weather and season system.  

Unravel 2 (E for Everyone) Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Credit: EA

Unravel 2 is the second in the series of side-scrolling platforming games where you play a pair of fantastical creatures called Yarnys. This two player aspect of the game makes it great for parents and children to play together as they must collaborate to continue. It also offers a beautiful, fairy tale style story, with poignant moments. There is "Mild Fantasy Violence" as animals in the game chase and menace the player who can be eaten by a fish, grabbed by birds, crushed by boulders, or run over by cars.

Mario Tennis Aces (E for Everyone) Switch

Credit: Nintendo

This is a sports game with a difference. It comes the real rules of tennis with characters from the Super Mario universe to compete in tennis matches and mini-games. This endows players with a variety of shots and attacks to win the game. There is "Mild Cartoon Violence" as in some mini-games, players volley back fireballs at enemy characters. But they only disappear in puffs of smoke. In a family this is a game everyone can compete at. With four players an option, it's also a good game to play together.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (E for Everyone) Switch

Credit: Nintendo

This is a great game for children or parents who want to take things at a slower pace. Each level is an intricate puzzle to be solved. You guide mushroom characters around whimsical terrains to find all the coins and stars whilst avoiding various hazards. There is "Mild Cartoon Violence" when players  jump on the heads of enemies or during the levels where you control a cannon to shoot at enemies.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas (E 10+) PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Credit: Ubisoft

This is a space shooting adventure game where you pilot various ships to battle a robot menace and liberate the system. As the game progresses player collect resources, perform quests, and fight enemies. This enables them to upgrade the ship. An added novelty is the inclusion of "Toys to Life" style mechanics not seen in recent years. The spaceship toys and items unlock their equivalents in the game. The game will include "Fantasy Violence" in the form of shooting lasers, missiles, and other weapons. There is no blood, though.  Damage is only indicated by light flashes and hit points. There are also exuberant dogfights that involve dozens of enemy ships.

LEGO The Incredibles (E 10+)

Credit: Warner

This is the next in a long line of Lego games. It offers a nice chance to see loads of Pixar characters in Lego form. And also provides the storyline of both the first and second Incredibles movie. As usual, it's an action-adventure game where you control Lego characters.

It contains "Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor" as players punch, kick, and use ice blasts to defeat enemies. Battles are accompanied by impact sounds, explosions, and slow-motion effects; enemies burst into Lego pieces when defeated. The game includes instances of crude humor: bird dropping smeared across a car's windshield; characters burping and vomiting.

But this is all tongue in cheek and will be a lot of fun for any family who enjoyed the Pixar movies. In many ways it's more of the same, but with such high quality on these Lego games, that's no bad thing.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (E 10+) Switch, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4

Credit: Activision

Following up on last year's release, now on Switch, Xbox One and PC, Crash is perfectly placed to find a new younger audience. It's the classic platforming challenge where you play Crash Bandicoot as he traverses platforms and defeat enemies. Visually however, it's had a complete overhaul to take advantage of the modern hardware.

It's more tailored for a wider audience this time around too. This include new unified checkpoints, pause menus and an improved save system. You can also play as a female protagonists in the form of Crash's sister Coco.

The game does include "Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief". Crash can jump on enemies' heads or use a spin attack to knock enemies out. There are also some areas where you pilot a plane and shoot at enemy blimps causing them to explode. There's one boss character that wears an outfit that reveals a slightly exposed buttocks.

Subnautica (E 10+) PC, Xbox One

Credit: Unknownworlds

This is an open world underwater survival game. Players must explore, collect resources and build their underwater city to progress. The game has been available on PC for some time but recently game to Xbox One. There is "Fantasy Violence" and "Mild Language" in the game but nothing a ten year old would find concerning. It's also worth mentioning that Bleach is used in the game to purify water, which might suggest to younger children that it is drinkable.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy (E 10+) Switch, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4

Credit: Activision

Out in September, this is a collection of three classic platform games. As before you assume the role of Spyro the Dragon through a series of adventures. But here the games have been completely remade with modern visuals and enhancements. It's not only a great way for parents to introduce kids to the origins of the Skylanders Spyro character, but also a lot of fun in its own right.

You must traverse platforms, collect items , and use Spyro's charge and flame breath attacks to battle enemies. This does include some "Fantasy Violence" and "Mild Language", but enemies generally disappear with a puff of smoke. There are some levels where Spyro can fly and shoot down enemy planes, resulting in large explosions.

Octopath Traveller (Teen) Switch

Credit: Nintendo

This is a role-playing game in which players follow a story, through the perspectives of eight different characters, in the fantasy world of Orsterra. As players explore villages and caves, they interact with locals and battle brigands, monsters, demons, and other fantastical creatures. Combat is turn-based, with players selecting attack moves from a menu. Characters use swords, spears, and magic attacks (e.g., ice spikes, fireballs) to defeat enemies; battles are highlighted by cries of pain, impact sounds, and light effects. One boss character is depicted with a bloody sickle and a bottle of blood; a pool of blood also appears in a cutscene. A handful of female characters wear outfits that reveal large amounts of cleavage; the dialogue also contains suggestive material (e.g., “That naughty mouth of yours belongs to me. Put it where it belongs...” and "Master...go pleasure yourself."). One sequence requires players to spike a barrel of wine and give it to others; another scene depicts a slurring, hiccupping man called “Crest-bearing drunk.” The word “bastard” appears in dialogue.

Sea of Thieves (TeenPC, Xbox One

Credit: Microsoft

Sea of Thieves, is an open world (open seas) adventure game. You play a pirate exploring oceans and islands, sailing ships, searching for treasure, and engaging in sea battles with rivals. It's a lot of fun for parents and children because you can tackle the game so many ways. The sailing is also a lot of fun to learn and improve at.

It does include " Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence". Players can shoot and slash at skeleton-like creatures. However, these enemies generally disappear with a wisp of smoke. At sea, players can shoot cannons at opposing ships, causing them to capsize and sink. There is alcohol in the form of mugs of grog which result in a screen-blurring effect; belching and hiccup sounds are sometimes heard.

Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM (Teen) PlayStation 4

Credit: Bandai Namco

Ni no Kuni II is a beautifully drawn cartoon adventure. Players take on the role of a man helping a half-human child defeat an evil force to become king. It sounds fantastical, but actually includes a lot of interesting characters and relationships. It's played from an over the shoulder, third-person view. Players explore environments and engage in melee combat against fantasy creatures.

It does include "Fantasy Violence" and "Mild Blood". Characters use swords, fireballs, pistols, and arrows to defeat enemies. Combat is highlighted by impact sounds, cries of pain, and occasional gunfire. Although not prevalent throughout, there are some cutscenes that depict quick splashes of blood when characters are shot.

Ark Survival Evolved (TeenWindows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Credit: Studio Wildcard

Ark is a challenging open world game that stands apart from many others for multiple reasons. You can play alone in a local game mode, but it is also played online with other players. Finding themselves without clothes or resources on an island, players search for resources, craft tools, build shelters, and create weapons to hunt and tame dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

There is "Blood, Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol and Violence". Specifically, blood-splatter effects occur as players attack creatures and other human characters; blood can also stain the bodies of defeated enemies. Also, animals and human characters can be seen defecating, leaving balls of feces on the ground; flatulence sounds can be heard throughout the game.

For children of an appropriate maturity this is a great game to explore issue of survival. The game creates a deep atmosphere with a long day-night cycle and both over-world and underwater exploration.

No Mans Sky (Teen) PlayStation, Xbox One, PC

Credit: Hello Games

Although the game drew criticism initially, this has always been a fantastic game for children and parents to explore. The scale and variety of planets to land on and walk around is breath taking. Recently it has received a number of updates that flesh out gameplay and add a multiplayer mode.

Players assume the role of a planetary explorer on a quest to reach the center of the universe. It's played from either first- or third-person perspective. It includes "Fantasy Violence" as players pilot spacecraft to different planets and engage in space combat against enemy ships and space pirates. The fighting  is laser fire and large explosions. On planets you can use a variety of gun-like weapons and melee attacks to defeat alien creatures, human-like figures, and robots.

