Valiant Hearts – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Valiant Hearts

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2023

91%

WISE Score

3.9

App Store

A poignant, playable graphic novel that proves WWI history is best learned through the eyes of a brave dog and the people he helps.

Valiant Hearts

app

2023

91%

WISE Score

3.9

App Store

A poignant, playable graphic novel that proves WWI history is best learned through the eyes of a brave dog and the people he helps.

Jump to

Also rated on

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is the rare sequel that keeps the soul of the original alive. It’s a quiet, beautiful, and deeply moving experience that treats World War I with the respect it deserves. If you already pay for Netflix, this is a 'must-download' for any kid who likes a good story.

It sidesteps the usual 'war game' tropes of high-octane violence in favor of human connection. By focusing on ordinary people—and one very good dog—it makes history feel personal rather than like a list of dates to memorize for a test.

Age Fit

Perfect for 10-year-olds and up. It's sophisticated enough for adults but the 'T' rating is mostly for the historical weight of the war rather than any gratuitous gore.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Focuses on empathy, brotherhood, and the human cost of war rather than combat glory. The presence of a faithful canine companion who helps everyone regardless of their uniform is a masterclass in modeling kindness in dark times.

Imaginative

The hand-drawn graphic novel aesthetic is stunning and original. It mixes genres—puzzle, rhythm, and stealth—to keep the player's brain engaged in ways standard shooters never do.

Safe

As a Netflix game, it is entirely free of ads, in-app purchases, and manipulative 'daily reward' loops. While it depicts war, the violence is stylized and bloodless, focusing on the environment and emotional stakes.

Enriching

It's a playable history book. The inclusion of authentic archival photos and facts about the Harlem Hellfighters provides real-world context that most history classes skip over.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Historical depth that goes beyond the surface, specifically highlighting the Harlem Hellfighters' role in the war.
Zero monetization junk because it's bundled with a Netflix sub—no ads, no gems, no FOMO.
Artistic brilliance that makes every frame look like a high-end European comic book.
Empathy-first gameplay where you spend more time healing and helping than pulling triggers.

⚠

What to Watch For

Heavy wartime themes including gas attacks, trench conditions, and the reality of loss, which might be a lot for sensitive younger kids.
Puzzle friction can occasionally stall the narrative flow, which might lead to some 'can you do this for me?' moments with the iPad.
Netflix gatekeeping means you need an active subscription to even open the app.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the game focuses on helping people rather than just fighting the 'bad guys'?"
"What did you learn about the Harlem Hellfighters that you haven't heard in school?"
"How did having the dog as a companion change how you felt about the characters?"
"If you were in the trenches, what would be the hardest thing to deal with every day?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Valiant Hearts? Put this WISE score on your site