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Subterra

Review · Action · PC

Subterra

Reviewed: 24 May 2026

PC

Warfare Studios · 2016

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

72 /100

06010030BenefitLow riskB 61 · R 12
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

61

Risk (RIS)

12

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.76
B2Social-emotional
0.53
B3Motor
0.35

Subterra is a classic-style RPG that offers a rich narrative experience with compelling characters and a well-realized world. It fosters problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical thinking through its quests and combat. Players can develop empathy and ethical reasoning by engaging with the story and its characters, and the game provides a strong reading and language development opportunity.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.20
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.11

While Subterra avoids manipulative monetization and social risks, its dark fantasy setting includes moderate levels of fantasy violence and fear/horror themes, which may not be suitable for all players. Some minimal compulsion-loop design mechanics typical of RPGs are present, but not designed to be exploitative.

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
0.67

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 Subterra safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Subterra a rating of 72/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Subterra appropriate for?

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

How long should kids play Subterra?

Our session recommendation for Subterra 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 Subterra?

While Subterra avoids manipulative monetization and social risks, its dark fantasy setting includes moderate levels of fantasy violence and fear/horror themes, which may not be suitable for all players. Some minimal compulsion-loop design mechanics typical of RPGs are present, but not designed to be exploitative.