Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare games that's genuinely educational without feeling like homework. The premise is simple—defuse a bomb by talking to your teammates—but the execution is brilliant. One player wears a VR headset (or just looks at a screen) and describes increasingly complex bomb modules while everyone else frantically flips through a dense manual trying to give instructions before time runs out.

It's loud, it's stressful, it's hilarious, and it actually teaches kids to communicate precisely under pressure. Parents love it because it builds real skills. Kids love it because it feels like being a spy or action hero. The E10+ rating is spot-on—the 'bomb' is cartoonish and the real challenge is mental, not violent.

The only downside: it requires at least one other person and decent verbal skills. But if you've got that, this is an instant classic that works for family game night, teen hangouts, or even adult parties. No ads, no microtransactions, just pure cooperative chaos.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10+ who can read quickly, think under pressure, and communicate clearly. Teens and adults love it too—it's a legitimate party game that doesn't talk down to anyone. Younger kids (7-9) can play with patient adults if they're good readers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Models excellent communication, cooperation, and teamwork under pressure. Players must listen carefully, speak clearly, and work together to succeed—no toxicity, no negativity, just pure collaborative problem-solving. The 'bomb' premise is cartoonish rather than violent (screen goes black on failure, no gore). Parents consistently praise it for building family bonds and positive social interaction.

Imaginative

82

Clever asymmetric gameplay where one player sees the bomb while others read a manual creates a genuinely novel puzzle experience. The manual itself is creative—filled with logic puzzles, pattern recognition, and symbol decoding that feels like cracking a code. Not open-ended creative expression, but the problem-solving requires lateral thinking and inventive communication strategies.

Safe

92

ESRB rated E10+ for mild violence (cartoon bomb explosion with black screen). No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat with strangers. Users interact only with people physically present or in their own voice chat. No manipulative mechanics, no infinite loops, no privacy concerns. The 'bomb defusal' theme is clearly game-like and not realistic or traumatic.

Enriching

85

Genuine educational value in communication skills, active listening, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and staying calm under time pressure. Parents and reviewers consistently note it builds critical thinking and cooperative play. The manual requires reading comprehension and logic. It's legitimately skill-building while being entertaining—rare combo.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Builds genuine communication skills—kids learn to describe what they see clearly and listen carefully under pressure
Perfect asymmetric co-op: the bomb defuser can't see the manual, the experts can't see the bomb, so everyone must talk it out
Zero monetization nonsense—buy it once, play forever, no ads or purchases
Scales beautifully from 2 players to large groups, works great for family game night or parties
The manual is genuinely clever puzzle design that rewards pattern recognition and logical thinking

⚠

What to Watch For

Requires verbal communication—not ideal for kids who struggle with speaking clearly or listening under time pressure
Can get loud and chaotic (that's part of the fun, but know what you're getting into)
The time pressure might stress out anxious kids, though you can adjust difficulty
Needs at least 2 players—it's not a solo experience

Conversation Starters

"What was the hardest module to defuse? Why did it trip you up?"
"How did you figure out how to describe the symbols or wires when you didn't know what to call them?"
"When we got frustrated, what helped us get back on track and work together better?"
"What's a situation in real life where we need to communicate this clearly and quickly?"

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