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Phobies

Review · Strategy · PC · iOS · Android

Phobies

Reviewed: 03 Jun 2026

PC · iOS · Android

Smoking Gun Interactive · 2022

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

47 /100

Automated review
06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 38 · R 40
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

38

Risk (RIS)

40

Daily limit

60min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.60
B2Social-emotional
0.17
B3Motor
0.15

Phobies offers a rich strategic experience, challenging players with tactical hex-based combat and puzzle-like challenges. The extensive collection of Phobies encourages learning and adaptation, while competitive play against friends and global opponents fosters strategic thinking and problem-solving.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.53
R2Monetization
0.25
R3Social risk
0.33

The game's design incorporates several elements that can encourage excessive engagement, such as variable rewards for collecting and leveling Phobies, seasonal events, and competitive leaderboards. Microtransactions may create pressure to spend to gain an advantage. The game's theme of 'fears' and 'terrifying Phobies' could be unsettling for some players.

Content (not in risk score)

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

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

Heads up

  • Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $5 – $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~18 hReviewedJun 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Phobies safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Phobies 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 Phobies appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play Phobies?

Our session recommendation for Phobies is up to 60 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 Phobies?

The game's design incorporates several elements that can encourage excessive engagement, such as variable rewards for collecting and leveling Phobies, seasonal events, and competitive leaderboards. Microtransactions may create pressure to spend to gain an advantage. The game's theme of 'fears' and 'terrifying Phobies' could be unsettling for some players.