Game · Low risk
Is Outer Wilds safe for your child?
Age guide
10+
We advise Outer Wilds from age 10 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk).
- 9-12
- Children in this age range can enjoy the core loop of exploring planets and solving puzzles, as the game's narrative unfolds through discovery rather than direct combat.
- 13-15
- Teenagers may appreciate the deeper philosophical themes and the intricate, non-linear storytelling that encourages independent thought and deduction.
- 16+
- Older players will find the game's unique time-loop mechanic and emergent narrative particularly engaging, offering a profound sense of cosmic mystery and discovery without explicit violence.
Outer Wilds is an open-world mystery game where players explore a solar system trapped in a 22-minute time loop, which resets with the sun's explosion. The goal is to uncover the secrets of an ancient alien civilization and understand why the loop is happening.
- Age guide
- 10+
- Overall risk
- 3/10
- Violence
- 1/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 1/10
- Stranger contact
- 1/10
- Addiction risk
- 8/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Influence
- 6/10
What parents should know
Outer Wilds is a highly acclaimed single-player exploration and puzzle game with no online interactions, in-app purchases, or explicit mature content. It encourages curiosity and critical thinking as players uncover an ancient mystery within a time-looping solar system.
What to do about Outer Wilds
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Outer Wilds is 10+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Outer Wilds setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Outer Wilds without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Outer Wilds that mean it is time to step in.
Outer Wilds age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Outer Wilds?
Parentwise puts Outer Wilds at 10+. We advise Outer Wilds from age 10 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Violence scores 1/10, language 2/10, stranger contact 1/10 and addiction risk 8/10.
Can a 10 year old play Outer Wilds?
Yes, 10 is at or above the age we advise for Outer Wilds (10+). Children in this age range can enjoy the core loop of exploring planets and solving puzzles, as the game's narrative unfolds through discovery rather than direct combat.
Can a 12 year old play Outer Wilds?
Yes, 12 is at or above the age we advise for Outer Wilds (10+). Children in this age range can enjoy the core loop of exploring planets and solving puzzles, as the game's narrative unfolds through discovery rather than direct combat.
Can a 13 year old play Outer Wilds?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Outer Wilds (10+). Teenagers may appreciate the deeper philosophical themes and the intricate, non-linear storytelling that encourages independent thought and deduction.
Is Outer Wilds appropriate for kids?
Outer Wilds is a highly acclaimed single-player exploration and puzzle game with no online interactions, in-app purchases, or explicit mature content. Parentwise rates Outer Wilds overall as low risk (3/10), with stranger contact at 1/10 and addiction risk at 8/10.
Is Outer Wilds family friendly?
Outer Wilds is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. It encourages curiosity and critical thinking as players uncover an ancient mystery within a time-looping solar system.
Outer Wilds parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Outer Wilds is a highly acclaimed single-player exploration and puzzle game with no online interactions, in-app purchases, or explicit mature content. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (1/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (8/10).
Is Outer Wilds safe for kids?
We advise Outer Wilds from age 10 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). It encourages curiosity and critical thinking as players uncover an ancient mystery within a time-looping solar system.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.