Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Xbox

PC/Steam

PlayStation

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be clear: Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the best RPGs ever made, and it's absolutely not for kids. This is the game that won basically every Game of the Year award in 2023 for good reason—it's a masterpiece of player choice, storytelling, and strategic gameplay.

But it's also got full nudity, graphic sex scenes (including with a bear, if you're curious), intense violence, and themes that would make most parents uncomfortable. The parasites in everyone's heads? Body horror. The companion backstories? Trauma and abuse. The choices you make? Often morally bankrupt.

That said, for older teens who can handle mature content, this is genuinely enriching. The ethical dilemmas are sophisticated, the consequences are real, and the game respects player intelligence. It teaches D&D mechanics, strategic thinking, and forces players to grapple with complex moral questions. Playing co-op with a teen could be an amazing bonding experience—if you're both comfortable discussing the mature themes that come up.

The good news on safety: no predatory monetization, no strangers in chat, no loot boxes. Just a complete, finished game that respects your time and wallet. The bad news: it's a 100+ hour commitment that might consume your teen's life for months.

Bottom line: This is for mature 17+ players who can handle adult content and have the emotional sophistication to process complex themes. If that's your teen, this might be one of the most memorable gaming experiences they'll ever have.

Age Fit

This is firmly for older teens (17+) and adults. The mature content isn't gratuitous, but it's integral to the story and definitely not appropriate for younger players, no matter how 'mature for their age' they seem.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

45

BG3 is a mature fantasy RPG with significant adult content including graphic violence, sexual situations, dark themes (mind control parasites, body horror), morally complex choices that reward manipulation and deception, and relationships that can turn deeply toxic. While it models cooperation in party dynamics, the tone is decidedly adult and often grim. Not emotionally safe for younger audiences.

Imaginative

95

Exceptional creative freedom in a richly detailed D&D-based world. Players craft unique characters, solve problems through multiple creative approaches (combat, dialogue, stealth, magic), explore an enormous branching narrative with meaningful consequences, and engage with deep role-playing mechanics. The game actively rewards experimentation and creative problem-solving. A masterclass in player agency and world-building.

Safe

35

Contains explicit sexual content (including full nudity and romance scenes), graphic violence and gore, body horror (parasites, transformations), dark themes (abuse, torture, slavery), substance use, and mature language. While users don't interact with strangers and there are no predatory monetization tactics, the content itself is firmly M-rated. The game doesn't hide its mature nature, but it's definitely not safe for younger players.

Enriching

88

Remarkable depth in ethical decision-making with genuine consequences, complex character development exploring trauma and redemption, strategic thinking through turn-based combat, reading comprehension (extensive dialogue), empathy-building through nuanced companion stories, and problem-solving that rewards creativity. Based on D&D 5e rules, teaching game mechanics and collaborative storytelling. Intellectually demanding and emotionally sophisticated.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely meaningful choices with real consequences—your decisions actually matter and can lead to wildly different outcomes
Teaches strategic thinking, problem-solving, and consequence evaluation through complex D&D-based mechanics
Rich character development and companion stories that explore trauma, redemption, identity, and relationships with real depth
Rewards creativity and experimentation—there are usually multiple solutions to problems, not just 'the right way'
Co-op multiplayer lets families play together (if everyone's old enough for the mature content)

⚠

What to Watch For

Explicit sexual content including full nudity and romance scenes that can be quite graphic—this isn't implied, it's shown
Graphic violence, gore, and body horror (mind flayer parasites, transformations, torture scenes)
Dark themes throughout: slavery, abuse, manipulation, addiction, religious trauma, and morally gray choices
Massive time commitment (80-120+ hours for one playthrough)—can be all-consuming
Some choices reward deception and manipulation, which could normalize unhealthy behavior if not discussed

Conversation Starters

"What kind of character did you create, and why? How does their background affect how you play?"
"Tell me about a tough choice you had to make. What did you consider, and do you think you made the right call?"
"Which companion's story resonates with you most? What do you think they're struggling with?"
"Have you found creative solutions to problems that weren't the 'obvious' path? How did that feel?"
"How do you decide when to be honest versus when to deceive in the game? Does that reflect your real values?"

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Baldur S Gate 3