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Barotrauma

Review · Action · Linux · macOS · PC

Barotrauma

Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026

Linux · macOS · PC

FakeFish · 2023

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

81 /100

Automated review

Barotrauma is a cooperative strategy game that develops problem solving, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking through challenging survival.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 79 · R 18
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

79

Risk (RIS)

18

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.90
B2Social-emotional
0.80
B3Motor
0.50

Barotrauma offers a deeply engaging co-operative survival experience that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Players must manage complex submarine systems, navigate dangerous environments, and adapt to procedural challenges, promoting strong cognitive and social-emotional development.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.27
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.22

While highly cooperative, the intense pressure and alien encounters in Barotrauma can lead to high-stress situations. The procedural nature of the game and the drive for exploration may encourage extended play sessions, though natural stopping points exist. There is a moderate level of violence against alien lifeforms and a tense atmosphere that could be frightening for some players.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.00
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.67

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Not yet assessed·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Avg playtime~4 hReviewedApr 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Barotrauma safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Barotrauma a rating of 81/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Barotrauma appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 13+ for Barotrauma, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Barotrauma?

Our session recommendation for Barotrauma is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Barotrauma?

While highly cooperative, the intense pressure and alien encounters in Barotrauma can lead to high-stress situations. The procedural nature of the game and the drive for exploration may encourage extended play sessions, though natural stopping points exist. There is a moderate level of violence against alien lifeforms and a tense atmosphere that could be frightening for some players.