Sometimes, the best games can be passed over for simply looking too much like a game aimed at kids. The aesthetics could feature cute characters or colorful backgrounds, or the subject matter could be more kid-friendly. Some games just come out at the wrong times next to meatier AAA experiences that get more attention.
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Although these characters aren’t bound by blood, their relationships resemble a family.
So, to anyone looking for some cool games to play alone or with the family without much in terms of violence, these are some good choices. Some even feature multiplayer, so that the whole gang can jump in. Either way, these are all great games that deserve a second chance and are easily accessible.
Tearaway Unfolded
Little Big Paper
Tearaway was originally designed for the PS Vita in 2013 by Media Molecule, which was their first new IP since starting LittleBigPlanet in 2008. In 2015, a PS4 version was released, Tearaway Unfolded, which was essentially the same game, albeit tweaked to use more of the PS4’s features.
The great thing about either version is how inventive it is, from the paper-crafted work to using everything on the controller to move things forward, from bouncing on the touchpad to simpler platforming controls.
Minecraft Dungeons
My First Dungeon Crawler
Minecraft Dungeons is one of the few Minecraft spinoffs out there that ditches the core building concept to instead focus on combat, but not in a bloody context. It can be likened to a dungeon crawler like Diablo, where the loot and monsters are plentiful, with plenty of weapons to check out and test to equip.
The game is not too challenging alone or with three others in co-op, making it a good first step to take for anyone interested in the looter genre, and a good game for family night.
To A T
You Are The Perfect Shape
to a T was created by Keita Takahashi, who also made Katamari Damacy, and both share strange DNA. Players can create their character who is afflicted with a disease that permanently makes their arms outstretched to form the letter T.
Players will learn how to do everything in their lives with this affliction, from brushing their teeth to doing exercises at school, making to a T more of a life-sim. It starts simple, but gets increasingly wackier as things move on, and the best part about the game is the theme song, which is a real earworm.
The Wonderful 101
The Force Of The Public
The Wonderful 101 was originally released for the Wii U in 2013 before getting later ports to consoles via a remaster in 2020. It’s one of the weirder titles from PlatinumGames, wherein players control what is essentially a team of Power Rangers, but one that can also invigorate the people they are freeing to help out.
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In levels, players can free citizens and gain more help, allowing them to use various formations in combat or to solve a puzzle, like transforming into a giant first to turn some knobs. The best way to think of it is as a more action-oriented Pikmin game, and to tie things into family time, there are missions that support five players.
Dodgeball Academia
A Sports RPG
Dodgeball Academia is like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter franchise if it were a school obsessed with dodgeball instead of magic. The player is a new student aiming to be the best, and they will gather allies as they climb their way to the top.
The characters are quirky, the dialogue can often be funny, and the cartoon-inspired graphics, along with the special powers, are a sight to behold in this extreme sports game. Plus, there is a versus mode for some friendly competition.
Donut County
Beware The Raccoon
Donut County
5/10
- Released
-
August 28, 2018
- ESRB
-
E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Comic Mischief
Donut County starts with a raccoon, BK, texting his employee, Mira, that she has to come into work before the game shifts ahead weeks later, with the entire town underground. Thanks to an app BK was using, they were able to control a little hole in the ground that could suck up whatever fell into it, making it grow at the same time, which is where the gameplay comes in.
Levels are segmented into sandboxes wherein players have to make their hole grow by swallowing up more objects, and sometimes the mechanics would get complex, like having to trick a bird into drinking water. Donut County is a weird, but deeply calming game.
Cake Bash
Mario Desert Party
Cake Bash
- Released
-
October 15, 2020
Cake Bash is like Mario Party minus the board game setup and with 100% more desserts. Every character player can choose a desert of some kind, from a cupcake to a donut, and they all look appetizing, along with the rest of the game.
Each match consists of several mini-games, and whoever comes on top the most will be crowned the overall winner, whether players go against three AI competitors or three others in multiplayer. Some mini-games include roasting marshmallows to perfection, stacking ice cream like a pro, and decorating a cookie like an ace.
Sky: Children Of The Light
Journey In The Sky
Sky: Children of the Light is one of the most chill games around, whether players go at it alone or try to meet up with others online. It’s a free-to-play game akin to Journey, but instead of drifting through sand, players will soar through the skies and travel to new floating islands.
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There’s no combat to worry about, and the puzzles are very minor. Sky: Children of the Light is a game that favors exploration over everything else, and the more players get into it, the more they can customize their character.
Toem
Picture Time
Toem is a black and white game that puts players in small sandboxes, presenting them with multiple puzzles to solve in each chapter before they can move on.
The main mechanic is photography, so by taking the best photo for an NPC, they can typically solve their way through quests. This can include taking pictures of ghosts or bears having a cool party in the woods. Some of the requests can be tricky to solve, but exploration will typically help, as these areas aren’t too big.
SkateBIRD
Tony The Hawk
SkateBIRD is a simpler skateboarding game than something like an entry in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise. Players can customize their bird character, choosing from a few species and then adding accessories to make them cute or stylish.
Players will be dropped into sandboxes, typically normal living spaces like a bedroom or kitchen, and then they can explore at their leisure. Sometimes there will be a goal to hit, but overall it’s all about doing tricks with these little birds, which can feel a bit awkward at first as the controls need time to get used to, but it will prove to be fun with practice.
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