Review · Action · macOS · PC · PlayStation 3
PAIN
Reviewed: 02 Jun 2026
macOS · PC · PlayStation 3
Sony Interactive Entertainment · 2007
Ludograph rating
Growth (BDS)
52
Risk (RIS)
0
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
13+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.72 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.10 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.65 | |
PAIN is a challenging and rewarding game that fosters strong cognitive skills such as problem-solving, spatial awareness, strategic thinking, critical thinking, and learning transfer. Its precision-based gameplay also significantly develops hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Players will learn resilience and emotional regulation as they overcome frustrating obstacles.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The primary risk in PAIN is the potential for frustration due to its high difficulty. While not manipulative, the game's design can lead to repeated failures, which might be discouraging for some players. There are no significant social, monetization, or content risks.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / 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.