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Dust: An Elysian Tail

Review · Action · Xbox 360 · iOS · PC

Dust: An Elysian Tail

Reviewed: 09 May 2026

Xbox 360 · iOS · PC · macOS · Linux · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4

Humble Hearts · 2012

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

56 /100

Automated review

Dust: An Elysian Tail is an action RPG that builds problem solving and strategic thinking through its engaging Metroidvania-style world.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 43 · R 19
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

43

Risk (RIS)

19

Daily limit

90min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.52
B2Social-emotional
0.17
B3Motor
0.45

Dust: An Elysian Tail encourages problem-solving, strategic thinking, and memory as players navigate its Metroidvania-style world. The combat system promotes hand-eye coordination and reaction time. The narrative engages players in reading and understanding the story.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.10
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

While Dust: An Elysian Tail generally presents a low-risk environment, some players might find the combat violence mildly intense. The game's progression and upgrade systems could subtly encourage continued play.

Content (not in risk score)

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

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~4 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Dust: An Elysian Tail safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Dust: An Elysian Tail a rating of 56/100, recommended for ages 7 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is Dust: An Elysian Tail appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for Dust: An Elysian Tail, based on benefits, risks, and content review. That is more lenient than ESRB E10+: industry ratings reflect content intensity, while ours also weighs how the game is designed to be played.

How long should kids play Dust: An Elysian Tail?

Our session recommendation for Dust: An Elysian Tail is up to 90 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 Dust: An Elysian Tail?

While Dust: An Elysian Tail generally presents a low-risk environment, some players might find the combat violence mildly intense. The game's progression and upgrade systems could subtly encourage continued play.