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Kona

Review · Action · Linux · macOS · PC

Kona

Reviewed: 09 May 2026

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

Deep Silver · 2017

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

51 /100

Kona is an adventure game that strengthens reading and problem solving through detective work and exploration, though some themes may be unsettling.

06010030BenefitLow riskB 34 · R 1
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

34

Risk (RIS)

1

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.50
B2Social-emotional
0.20
B3Motor
0.15

Kona offers a rich narrative experience that encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory through its detective work and exploration. Players will develop reading comprehension and learning transfer skills as they uncover the story and adapt to the game's survival mechanics.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.06

The primary risks in Kona are related to its themes of fear and horror, which may be unsettling for younger players. There are minimal risks regarding compulsion-loop design, monetization, or social pressures.

Content (not in risk score)

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

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

Regulatory design checks · DSAAssessed: meets criteria·GDPR-KNot yet assessed·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.
  • 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 Kona safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Kona a rating of 51/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is Kona appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play Kona?

Our session recommendation for Kona 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 Kona?

The primary risks in Kona are related to its themes of fear and horror, which may be unsettling for younger players. There are minimal risks regarding compulsion-loop design, monetization, or social pressures.