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BUTCHER

Review · Action · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One

BUTCHER

Reviewed: 01 May 2026

Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · macOS · PC · Linux

Crunching Koalas · 2016

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

47 /100

BUTCHER is a fast-paced 2D shooter that builds hand-eye coordination and reaction time through demanding gameplay, but has extreme violence.

06010030BenefitLow riskB 31 · R 0
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

31

Risk (RIS)

0

Daily limit

Age guidance

17+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.36
B2Social-emotional
0.00
B3Motor
0.65

BUTCHER is a fast-paced 2D shooter that primarily benefits players in hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and reaction time due to its demanding gameplay. It also offers some creative problem-solving opportunities in utilizing environmental hazards to dispatch enemies and provides an adaptive challenge with its high difficulty.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The primary risks associated with BUTCHER are its extreme and trivialized violence. The game's core mechanic revolves around annihilating enemies with various weapons and environmental hazards, with an emphasis on gore and dismemberment. While presented in a retro pixel-art style, the explicit and gratuitous nature of the violence, where players 'paint the walls with blood' and 'kick corpses around,' is a significant concern. There are also mild risks related to language and fear/horror due to the dark atmosphere and constant threat.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
1.00
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.33

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

Regulatory design checks · DSAAssessed: meets criteria·GDPR-KAssessed: meets criteria·ODDSAssessed: 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.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • 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.

Parents ask…

Is BUTCHER safe for kids?

Ludograph gives BUTCHER a rating of 47/100, recommended for ages 17 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is BUTCHER appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 17+ for BUTCHER, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play BUTCHER?

We don't publish a daily session budget for BUTCHER: its design-risk score sits in our highest band, where limiting time alone doesn't address the risks. For children we suggest choosing an alternative instead.

What are the main risks of BUTCHER?

The primary risks associated with BUTCHER are its extreme and trivialized violence. The game's core mechanic revolves around annihilating enemies with various weapons and environmental hazards, with an emphasis on gore and dismemberment. While presented in a retro pixel-art style, the explicit and gratuitous nature of the violence, where players 'paint the walls with blood' and 'kick corpses aroun