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City of Chains

Review · Adventure · PC

City of Chains

Reviewed: 20 May 2026

PC

Astronomic Games · 2015

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

80 /100

06010030BenefitLow riskB 67 · R 0
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

67

Risk (RIS)

0

Daily limit

Age guidance

17+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.76
B2Social-emotional
0.67
B3Motor
0.45

City of Chains offers rich cognitive engagement through its complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and critical thinking challenges. Players must navigate a dystopian world, make impactful choices, and manage a team of diverse protagonists, fostering ethical reasoning and teamwork. The game's strong narrative and character development also promote reading comprehension and empathy.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The game features a high level of violence and dark, dystopian themes, including references to execution and organ harvesting, which may be disturbing for some players. While there are no manipulative monetization or compulsion-loop mechanics, the mature content requires careful consideration.

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
1.00

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 City of Chains safe for kids?

Ludograph gives City of Chains a rating of 80/100, recommended for ages 17 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is City of Chains appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play City of Chains?

We don't publish a daily session budget for City of Chains: 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 City of Chains?

The game features a high level of violence and dark, dystopian themes, including references to execution and organ harvesting, which may be disturbing for some players. While there are no manipulative monetization or compulsion-loop mechanics, the mature content requires careful consideration.