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Children of Zodiarcs

Review · RPG · PlayStation 4 · macOS · Xbox One

Children of Zodiarcs

Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026

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

Square Enix · 2017

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

69 /100

Automated review

Children of Zodiarcs is a tactical RPG that builds strategic thinking and problem-solving through its unique card and dice combat system.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 53 · R 3
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

53

Risk (RIS)

3

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.76
B2Social-emotional
0.43
B3Motor
0.10

Children of Zodiarcs offers a rich, story-driven tactical RPG experience that significantly develops strategic thinking, critical analysis, and problem-solving skills through its unique deck and dice combat system. Players engage with a compelling narrative exploring themes of justice and societal corruption, fostering empathy and ethical reasoning.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.07
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The game contains moderate thematic violence and elements of fear/horror, consistent with its mature narrative. However, it presents very low risks regarding compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures, or social interaction risks, as it is a single-player, one-time purchase title with no manipulative mechanics.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
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 — Assessed: meets criteria·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.: 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.

Avg playtime~3 hReviewedApr 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Children of Zodiarcs safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Children of Zodiarcs a rating of 69/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Children of Zodiarcs appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play Children of Zodiarcs?

Our session recommendation for Children of Zodiarcs 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 Children of Zodiarcs?

The game contains moderate thematic violence and elements of fear/horror, consistent with its mature narrative. However, it presents very low risks regarding compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures, or social interaction risks, as it is a single-player, one-time purchase title with no manipulative mechanics.