Released originally for the PS4 (and now remastered for PS5 and PC), Marvel’s Spider-Man is an open-world action-adventure game. Unlike many Spider-Man stories that rehash the "Uncle Ben" origin story for the billionth time, this game starts with a 23-year-old Peter Parker who has been Spider-Man for eight years.

He’s juggling a job as a scientist, a complicated relationship with Mary Jane Watson, and the heavy weight of protecting a beautifully rendered New York City. The gameplay is split between high-octane combat, "web-swinging" through the city (which is honestly therapeutic to watch), and occasional puzzle-solving segments that highlight Peter’s civilian life as a scientist.

If you’ve seen your kid staring at the screen while a red-and-blue blur flips between skyscrapers, you’re witnessing the "flow state" this game creates.

The ESRB gave this a Teen rating for "Blood, Drug Reference, Language, and Violence." Here’s the "No-BS" breakdown of what that actually looks like in practice:

The combat is "cinematic." Spider-Man doesn't use guns, and he doesn't kill people. When he knocks a bad guy off a roof, a web-tripwire automatically pulls them back to the side of the building. It’s very "comic book." There is punching, kicking, and the use of gadgets, but no dismemberment or gore.

You’ll see some blood on Peter’s face after a particularly brutal fight, or on a character during a dramatic cutscene, but it isn't "splatter." It’s used to show that the stakes are high, not for shock value.

You’ll hear the occasional "damn" or "hell." It’s roughly the same vocabulary you’d find in Avengers: Endgame.

There are some intense sequences involving a villain named Mr. Negative and his "Inner Demons." Some of the imagery—like glowing eyes and shadowy figures—might be a bit much for a sensitive 7 or 8-year-old, but most 10-year-olds who have seen a PG-13 movie will handle it just fine.

Check out our guide on the differences between ESRB and PEGI ratings

Data from the Screenwise community shows that Marvel’s Spider-Man is a "bridge game."

The best thing about this game from a digital wellness perspective? It has an ending.

Unlike Minecraft or Fortnite, which are designed to be played forever, Marvel’s Spider-Man is a finite experience. Once the story is over, the "pull" to keep playing diminishes significantly.

There are also no loot boxes and no social chat. Your child isn't going to be bullied by a 19-year-old in a headset while playing this, and they won't be begging you for "Spider-Bucks" to buy a new suit. Every suit in the game is earned through gameplay (with the exception of some DLC story chapters you can purchase once).

Learn more about the psychology of "forever games" vs "finite games"

If your kid finishes this game, they are going to ask for the sequel: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Miles is a younger Spider-Man (a teenager), and his story is equally fantastic. It’s a shorter game, often described as a "standalone expansion," and it’s a great way to see a more diverse representation of New York City, specifically Harlem. If your family loved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this game is a must-play.

If you want to connect with your kid over this game, you don't need to know how to do a "Perfect Dodge." Just ask them about the story:

Marvel’s Spider-Man is one of those rare "prestige" games that actually lives up to the hype. It’s a high-quality, respectful piece of media that treats the player—and the source material—with intelligence.

If you’re looking for a "first Teen-rated game" for a mature 10 or 11-year-old, this is arguably the best candidate on the market. It’s exciting, it’s emotional, and it’s a hell of a lot better for their brain than watching 40 hours of Skibidi Toilet memes on YouTube.

See our full list of recommended "First Teen" games

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