Elder Scrolls Online:
It's MMO that dresses like Skyrim or it's Skyrim that dresses like MMO. With the free to play boom ongoing it's refreshing to see game that has a bit more stabile funing base. But what is it like? Well one can play the game 'through' alone so the design guidelines are more like ones used in SW:TOR. The counterweight for one player plot is fight for Cryodil – this step can be avoided at large and one can get there at the level of ten so the 'new guy' dilemma isn't that bad. For the morality part (that's what peliraati is here anway) the game is high fantasy gaming with character going between Tamriel and realm of Oblivion. The goal is good and that is to fight demon Molag Bal back to the his dimension.

King Duckling (iOS, 2013)
Cute as pie the King Duckling is a trip to kids imigination world. Of course one would live in his dreams as duck king. Now the ducks have escaped to other planes and king has to go and gather them back. Actual challenge of the game is attributed to level design and dynamic. Ducks do change their places and nasty trolls and centipedes roam around so one needs to plan their advance. While static would not be sexy it might be a bi more suitable for young kid - the one the overall game idea and graphics are aimed for. One could pass hard level with in app purchase but as far as kids are concerned the in app purchases are limited by parents for obivous reasons. So about apparent suitability I’m a bit torn up between first grades and pre-school. There's no content that would trigger age ratings so one could as well experiement to find just the right target audience for the game.

Damned: Damned is early access game that drops players to the shoes of B-horror movie teens. Group of players are stranded in the haunted house and they need to work together for getting out. One player plays the role of monster determined to give other players hard time. The actual demand of co-operation implies it's best with friends – there's no actual real cohesion when playing with strangers. In a way lizard brains don't get away with strategy thinking – game is mildy horrific because it's just a game. It's not an interactive story but rather a competitive scenario. The player needs actually listen sound cues, communicate and co-operate – these elements are elements for teamwork-inspiring game. Honing these strenghts might make it great one day. On the plus side game is actually rather bloodless - violence is implied not graphically shown. Well obivously I can't recommend supernatural horror to anybody.

Near Orbit (apple 12+) Games with newtonian mechanics are rare. New Orbit puts player in the shoes of young engineer that is sole survivour of his mothership destruction. The ship was in secret mission so the story has many questions that are left largely unanswered because upcoming sequels. The first part of game is gritty story of survival in asteroid belt. The forbidden zone is full of nasty people. Despite game's simplistic looks the story is believable. I did find it however lacking of interaction between engineer and the mother and the story is indeed too much male centered. However as peliraati is parent-child site the game is example of game that doesn't have any dubious content but it's still written for grownups. Hence kids might not find the black humor and fight for survival interesting. Still the game isn't bad at all for someone who likes a bit arcade gaming with his or her phone or iPad.

Rogue's Tale: Rogue genre didn't die out so Rogue's Tale is here to do the dying part. The game is nicely done and modern (example monsters attack each other and can fall to traps as well as player). We tested the game with two 12-year old boys and they were thrilled about the game. However the difficulty the game offers is rather heavy handed so boys weren't really accustomed that they could die often - or begin game next of two enemies. This isn't fault of game which offers old fashioned rogue gaming in random dungeons. The goal of the game is to become the king of the dungeon. I guess he has pissed to someone's coffee. The plot isn't that clear but game does offer some interaction with NPCs that can be found from the dungeon. So the shopkeeper isn't only NPC in this game. Overall the game is highly recommendable for old players and the violence isn't graphical so game is safe to play when kids are present.

Euro Truck Simulator: Ever wanted to be truck driver? In Euro Truck Simulator 2 you can!
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is nice trucking from A to B, in virtual (Central) Europe. Watching game is suitable for everyone, but because player should know how to handle trucks, should player probably be at least 10 years old. Game support multiple languages, ther is no violence, gambling or any other unetical elements.
Someone could get bored for "just trucking", but there is lots of people who just want to drive. There is small management element in game too. You can own your own trucking company with drivers and cars. (Sami Hallikas)

Brothers Tale of Two Sons (PEGI 16) This game is as much a journey through adventure and challenges as it is a journey through one's emotions. Two young brothers embark on a quest to find medicine for their father who has fallen gravely ill. The road does not only have obstacles, though, but lots of opportunities for the brothers to offer help to the people and creatures they meet on the way. You will be able to bond with them while experiencing breathtaking vistas and heartwarming scenes but also some fairly dark material. Even the darker moments still have justification in the way they are presented, and when everything has been said and done, you will likely be left deeply touched by the story and tears in your eyes. If your child is emotionally mature, and you're willing to take the journey with him/her - do it. The end is so strong and emotionally engaging that they'll try to tell you about it for hours, while feeling the value of family ties for much much longer.

Depression Quest. Games are art and art is way to get people think things. The creativity of human kind can indetifiy itself with another human being but at times we found it lacking. Depression Quest is not a game for severely depressed – it has trigger effect mark my words. As a interactive story it's good glimpse to the social relationships of depressed young man and as such it's definetly one of the best games this year. I highly recommend game to anyone working with people. The best part is that donations for the game are fowarded to help depressed people through Ifred. +++

Gone Home. As nominee of VGX I believed the game was good but the thing which did strike me was the thing how well the game kept tension untill the very last scene. There's something humane in the story that's told in multi-layered style. Everything doesn't get tossed right at your face but rather given with clues that you found by searching the premises. And parents: this is good game to actually start discussion that would be awkward otherwise. Needless to say I can't reveal the plot twists here but I can assure you the game centeres around teenage girls identity. ++

Winter War: Squad Battles. The violence in the program is only hinted, not actually shown. The game portrays rather clinical war on hex map. It's reasonably easy to play and the HPS company does make actual games for military training as well. Because upcoming independence day I had time only for short try. Someone might ask "if it's unmoral to play actual real life battles?" Well, I would say frogetting the hell that veterans went through would be truly unmoral. Scenarios and units are modeled with earnest detail so the game might work as learning tool (teachers might take a point). However besids learning I can suggest this for hardcore strategy games only. The game itself is terribly overpriced even as digital download and lacks chrome that would appeal to younger gamers. With new 3d engine the worn out strategy game genre might have a fresh start. - Rami Sihvo

Doorkickers is a tactical strategy game that placs player to direct SWAT team members. The goal is to eliminate terrorists and rescue hostages. Even the game is in alpha phase it's showing a promise. The problems with puzzle levels supplied with the game is that there's no actual motivation to keep your men alive. The overall explanation of the situation lacks. Why we have licence to kill? Even if SWAT is a blunt instrument it tries to take suspects alive. Now there's no way to actually do non-leathal takedown in game enviroment. I can't say much about moral reasoning behind the game since it's alpha but so far it's intriguing but lacks motivational plot that would give actual moral justification for operations. Even the possibility of training your own team would make player more attached to them. The plus side however is that game portrays CQB with great detail and real life tactics do actually work. I would suggest the game for kids 12+ years old.

Postmortem (0.30) is a interesting and intriguing story. The test version is well working beta and the story keeps player in it's grips. You're death and you'll need to claim one person from the 19th century fundraising gala. It's totally up to player who it is. The first wow effect is realization that the game is political. Cause and effect. Should I take terrorst or 19th century feminist? What the fallback will be in already dire political situation. I recommend game for anyone that's interested in well thought stories and moral dilemmas.

Xcom:Enemy Unknown (PEGI 18)

In Finland this game wouldn't get 18 rating - that's a offical line! It would seem domestical ratings (or reasons for them) allow heavy violence at 16 and sadistical 18 while PEGI keeps age rating 16 for fair soldier vs soldier action and gives 18 if there's ”one or two” depictions of heavy violence. The age ratings are good and age ratings parents can trust is even better. However my professional view is that 'being strict' isn't the key. PEGI takes every bit of negative perspect to the game and doesn't actually count any positive sides at all (like VET and BBFC did) so 'mature' games are bound to be 18 because there's always the one thing that steps over the bar. So yeah for 3,7,12 and 16 ratings are well placed but 18 keeps appear as out of focus, too strict or banally justified one. And the sad truth is that rating 18 doesn't keep kids from playing the game, the thing that would prevent is actual education of parents about the computer games.

Cry of Fear (n/a)

This was buggy experience for me. I mean seriously, why Half Life 1 mod when you could build something for far modern HL2 source? Then the language thing. The game wouldn't save for me when I had diffrent language Steam. For story yeah, it tells about depressed guy and the ending isn't pretty even if it's 'good' one. Some hardcore scenes and Silent Hill type of depiction of Stockholm so yeah, I would recommend this for mature players only.

London 2012 (PEGI 3)

Great fun with friends. This game is designed for adults and I hear it's a great party game. Some of the sports events use Kinect motion camera but when we tested we got problems with kids. It would appear the sensor is rigged for adult sized players rather than small ones. Otherwise the kids loved other sports, boys shooting with bow and girls olympic diving so in the end game suits for everyone.

Peliraati review: The Walking Dead (PEGI 18)

Ok, it's the zombie apocalypse – personally. The game is reminiscent of old point and click
adventure games. The geekgirlsfinland.blogspot.com nominated this as one of potential gifts for geek girls. Adult girl, I would say. While the story is social and heavilly influenced on moral choices player makes in the game, the game pictures well collapse of the society. The violent content is excessive and traumatizing. In the end even kids suffer from violence and that's something that really stops me. It would seem that even gamer Mesh from www.mackandmesh.co.uk was shaken from the dramatic events of third episode. So yeah, no arguing here: The Walking Dead is great story but for adults only, period.

Peliraati review: Of Orcs and Men (PEGI 16)

I have to say, following the story told from the perspective of enslaved people (or orcs) this was intriguing one. However there's some points to nag about. First the violence, ok I gather that player characters are orcs so they do things in orkish way but I was suprised
to notice that the game delivers pretty detailed descriptions of violence. PEGI rewievers must have overslept this one I guess? The language is bad I mean !§#&€½* bad. It just sounds so !§#&€½* teen to try to add !§#&€½* in every !§#&€½* sentence. !§#&€½*. I mean really, these guys are far worse than sailors! In the positive side the game plot is all about getting over your past and there's few moral choices to be done.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012) (PEGI 7)

"We don't have a plot" "Don't worry, nobody will notice it". Hands on test with MW left me with impression of easy driving. Every car seems to be equipped with automatic gears and it's
rather easy to find city races and even switch tires, nitros and even chassis on fly! Pit stops are about half of a second (F1 pit crew might want to take notice of that). Well, morally one can't defend driving dangerously and wrecking half of the city.Too bad PEGI thinks computer game with no plot is suitable for young people. Even my wife thought that gamers should be people that have actual driver licenses! So my recommendation for player age is 11+

Peliraati Review: Lucius (PEGI 18)

Son of satan. Yep yep. Kill the family. Yep yep. With Shiver game somebody has watched Omen a bit too many times. Too bad the game is mediocre and rough around the edges (Like mom seeing you through the doors. Well, it's mom after all...). The gane is actually a bit frustrating at times because there's only one way to murder people. Seems like choices here are pretty nil. Besides the game doesn't have anything to do with christianity, it's pretty much same hubbub than Omen movies.

Peliraati review: Mechwarrior online (beta, PEGI: under evaluation)
You'll need to be a real man to pilot battletanks of 4th millenium. Well, practically
because most mech fans are 30-40 year old men. Mechwarrior online still lacks
the plot part and team fights are upcoming feature. Morally there could be some objections to unverses where 'there's only war!' But then again mech pilots are modern samurai. If one likes mechs and tank games I would say mechwarrior has a strong appeal. The best part, however is that in comparision to SOE:s another game Mechwarrior is actually a lot more 'free to play' than 'pay for win.' Question is would you want 12 year old wingmen? As for ratings go PEGI will be forced to give lower rating for the game. However I would suggest to all parent MMOs are ment for older youth rather than young. (http://youtu.be/53CFR863a38 Video of first impressions, in Finnish)

Peliraati review: Planetside 2 (PEGI 16, Esrb Teen). Let's face it. Free 2 Play turns awfully
easilly to "Pay For Win". In beta we did get rather small amouts of game
store points and one forum user even counted it would take 70 hours to play
for new assault rifle.. So the question boilds down: Do I care. I have
to admit, I don't look foward to spend 40$ in month so I'll have to say no,
not today, not today.Besides you would need 500-series Geforce to
play this kind of game. Oh, and bear in mind free to play means free
to grieve. Ta Ta and Peliraati review can be found in youtube and (in Finnish) written in here: {LINK REMOVED}http://tinyurl.com/bupjeaw

Peliraati reviews Angry Video Game Nerd (Mostly FIN) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxLI0SI5Gsw

FTL – Faster Than Light (unclassified). We made clinical tests with 9 and 12 aged boys and it seems FTL does have roguelike appeal with it. And with zero offesive content this game does indeed work (although Finnish kids might find amount of text hard) and boys loved it. I had to help boys once to put out of fire by opening airlocks – fire needs oxgen anyway. I would recommend this game as something to have on laptop for times you don't have anything else than time to wait. But as recommendation: Game is 'mostly harmless'. Peliraati review: (FIN,http://tinyurl.com/bp3bt5p ENG, {LINK REMOVED}http://tinyurl.com/d4boqwv. Extra talk about group funding problems with domestical law )

Payday – The Heist (PEGI 18, Violence: towards defenceless people, language) Oh dear, I bet makers have watched Heat (1995) too many times. Well, this game is basically Left for Dead but with zombies replaced as police officers. Don't bother trying it alone, this is essentially for gaming over internet. I can see this being used as father-son game but portraying that criminal acts can succeed is well worth of PEGI 18. Read Peliraati review: (FIN, {LINK REMOVED}tinyurl.com/d5kr2xa ENG, {LINK REMOVED}http://tinyurl.com/c8tqsw6 (yep, use a bit creative language and google translate is running to mama)

Metro 2033 (PEGI 16 – USK 18, violence, language, encouragement of use of tobacco).
Metro takes it's ideas from Dmitri Glukhovskis book, which in turn is based on Roadside Picknick and other types of Russian apocalyptic fiction. The game is mediocre in action, but does everything else well, including portraying of settlements of survivours. This actually tones the actual violence down, showing that story is all about being human. Read peliraati review (FIN, {LINK REMOVED}tinyurl.com/cwa3677) (Google translate: ENG, {LINK REMOVED}tinyurl.com/cdcdqna. I don't know if that's english though)

Dishonored (PEGI 18, violence, language). Sneaking game that has every possibility of being really hardcore in violence (like letting rats eat your opponens, WT..) However in this case the game actually is better when player is trying to keep casualties down. Thumbs up from the interesting dialog. I can see this used in father-son moments but not for any other way for younger than 18. Read Peliraati full review: {LINK REMOVED}tinyurl.com/czm47nn (FIN, game review) {LINK REMOVED}tinyurl.com/ce9ba5g (ENG. google translate, on acid)