Compare this game
Paladins

Review · Action · macOS · PC · PlayStation 4

Paladins

Reviewed: 09 May 2026

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

Hi-Rez Studios · 2016

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

47 /100

Automated review

Paladins is a team-based shooter that builds problem solving and strategic thinking through engaging combat, but carries risks of excessive engagement.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 50 · R 55
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

50

Risk (RIS)

55

Daily limit

30min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.72
B2Social-emotional
0.53
B3Motor
0.75

Paladins offers engaging team-based combat that fosters strategic thinking, quick reflexes, and teamwork. Players can enjoy a diverse roster of champions, each with unique abilities, promoting adaptive challenge and learning transfer. The competitive nature encourages skill development and provides a sense of accomplishment through objective play.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.73
R2Monetization
0.42
R3Social risk
0.61

As a free-to-play competitive online shooter, Paladins carries risks associated with compulsion-loop design through variable rewards and infinite play loops, potentially leading to excessive engagement. Monetization pressures, while not as aggressive as some titles, exist through champion unlocks and cosmetics. The competitive environment can also expose players to social comparison and potential toxicity.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.00

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

Heads up

  • Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0 – $20/mo.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: concerns noted·GDPR-K — Not yet assessed·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. Likely violations: virtual currency that obscures real-money prices.
  • 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.

Avg playtime~6 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Paladins safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Paladins a rating of 47/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is Paladins appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play Paladins?

Our session recommendation for Paladins is up to 30 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 Paladins?

As a free-to-play competitive online shooter, Paladins carries risks associated with compulsion-loop design through variable rewards and infinite play loops, potentially leading to excessive engagement. Monetization pressures, while not as aggressive as some titles, exist through champion unlocks and cosmetics. The competitive environment can also expose players to social comparison and potential