Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Civ VI is that rare game that parents actually want their kids to play. It's educational without being preachy, complex without being inaccessible, and engaging without being manipulative.

The 'one more turn' addiction is real, but it's the good kind of addiction—the kind where you're thinking three steps ahead, weighing tradeoffs, and learning about historical civilizations. The violence is so abstract it barely registers (units just disappear from the map), and the game actively rewards diplomacy and cultural development as viable alternatives to military conquest.

The learning curve is steep. Kids under 10 will likely need parent guidance or a lot of patience. But for kids 10+ who enjoy strategy, this is gold. It teaches resource management, long-term planning, historical context, and strategic thinking better than most 'educational' games even attempt.

The only real downside is time management—games can take hours, and the 'just one more turn' pull is strong. Set boundaries before starting, or you'll find yourself negotiating trade deals at midnight.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-99. The E10+ rating is spot-on—younger kids will struggle with the complexity and reading requirements, while the strategic depth keeps teenagers and adults engaged for years. This isn't a kids' game that adults tolerate; it's a genuinely great strategy game that's appropriate for kids.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Turn-based strategy that rewards patience, long-term planning, and thoughtful decision-making. Models diplomacy and cooperation as viable paths to victory alongside military conquest. Violence is abstract and bloodless—units disappear from the map rather than graphic combat. The game respects player agency and doesn't manipulate emotions or create artificial urgency. ESRB notes mild violence, drug reference (likely historical context like tobacco), and suggestive themes (probably Cleopatra's outfit), but parent and kid reviews consistently praise the lack of excessive violence.

Imaginative

91

This is world-building at its finest. Players construct entire civilizations from scratch, making meaningful choices about culture, technology, diplomacy, and expansion. The game invites 'what if' historical scenarios—what if Gandhi went nuclear, what if Rome focused on science instead of military? Endless strategic combinations and play styles mean no two games are identical. The learning curve is steep but rewards curiosity and experimentation. It's not creative in an artistic sense, but deeply imaginative in strategic and historical possibility spaces.

Safe

88

ESRB rated E10+ with mild violence, language, drug reference, and suggestive themes—all in historical context and quite tame. No loot boxes, no in-game purchases in base game, and while users can interact online, there's no built-in chat system to worry about. The violence is completely abstract—no blood, no gore, just units that fade away. Parent reviews consistently note it's one of the safer strategy games. The only real concerns are the time-sink nature ('one more turn' syndrome) and the complexity that might frustrate younger players, but those aren't safety issues in the traditional sense.

Enriching

89

This is basically a history and civics course disguised as a game. Players learn about real civilizations, leaders, technologies, wonders, and historical progression. It teaches resource management, strategic thinking, cause-and-effect reasoning, and the interplay between military, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic power. The game rewards long-term planning over impulsive decisions. Multiple victory conditions teach that there are different definitions of success. The complexity means kids will develop problem-solving skills and learn to manage multiple variables simultaneously. One caveat: it's so engaging it can become a time sink, but that's more about moderation than the game's educational value.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches history, geography, resource management, and strategic thinking while being genuinely fun—this is what 'educational gaming' should be
Multiple paths to victory (military, science, culture, diplomacy, religion) show kids there are different ways to succeed and different definitions of power
Turn-based gameplay means no twitch reflexes required—rewards patience, planning, and thinking several moves ahead
Incredibly replayable with different civilizations, leaders, maps, and strategies—the learning curve is steep but the payoff is massive
Clean content with abstract violence and historical context—one of the safest strategy games out there

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What to Watch For

The infamous 'one more turn' addiction is real—set time limits before starting or you'll look up and it's 2am
Steep learning curve means younger kids (under 10) will likely get frustrated without parent guidance or patience
Games can take hours to complete, which is great for deep engagement but requires time management skills
Historical content includes references to war, colonization, and religion—good conversation opportunities but worth noting

Conversation Starters

"Which civilization did you pick and why? What made their special abilities interesting to you?"
"If you could lead a civilization in real life, what would you prioritize—military strength, scientific advancement, or cultural influence?"
"The game shows how civilizations develop over thousands of years. What technologies or wonders surprised you most?"
"You can win through diplomacy instead of war. When do you think talking is more powerful than fighting?"
"How does the game compare to what you're learning about history in school? What's accurate and what's simplified?"

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