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Depression Quest

Review · RPG · PC · Linux · macOS

Depression Quest

Reviewed: 17 May 2026

PC · Linux · macOS

Isaac Schankler · 2014

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

68 /100

Automated review
06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 52 · R 3
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

52

Risk (RIS)

3

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.68
B2Social-emotional
0.57
B3Motor
0.05

Depression Quest offers a unique and empathetic experience, allowing players to understand the challenges of living with depression. It fosters critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and empathy, while providing a safe space to explore complex emotional landscapes and learn about mental health.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.08
R3Social risk
0.00

While Depression Quest is designed with a supportive intent, its mature themes of depression and mental illness could be distressing for some players. The presence of microtransactions, though likely optional, introduces a potential for spending.

Content (not in risk score)

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

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

Heads up

  • Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0 – $10/mo.

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~1 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Depression Quest safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Depression Quest a rating of 68/100, recommended for ages 7 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Depression Quest appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for Depression Quest, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Depression Quest?

Our session recommendation for Depression Quest 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 Depression Quest?

While Depression Quest is designed with a supportive intent, its mature themes of depression and mental illness could be distressing for some players. The presence of microtransactions, though likely optional, introduces a potential for spending.