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The Colonists

Review · Strategy · Nintendo Switch · PC · Xbox One

The Colonists

Reviewed: 01 May 2026

Nintendo Switch · PC · Xbox One · PlayStation 4

Codebyfire · 2017

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

74 /100

Automated review

The Colonists is a strategy simulation that fosters problem-solving, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking, with low risk of competitive toxicity.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 64 · R 13
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

64

Risk (RIS)

13

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.92
B2Social-emotional
0.37
B3Motor
0.35

The Colonists offers a rich and engaging strategic experience that fosters problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness. Players will enjoy the creative freedom of designing and optimizing their settlements, while also developing long-term planning and resource management skills. The co-op mode encourages teamwork and communication.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.10
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.33

While generally low-risk, the competitive multiplayer mode could expose players to some competitive toxicity and social comparison. The strategic depth may also lead to some frustration for younger or less patient players.

Content (not in risk score)

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

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

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·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. 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.

Avg playtime~5 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is The Colonists safe for kids?

Ludograph gives The Colonists a rating of 74/100, recommended for ages 7 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is The Colonists appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for The Colonists, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play The Colonists?

Our session recommendation for The Colonists 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 The Colonists?

While generally low-risk, the competitive multiplayer mode could expose players to some competitive toxicity and social comparison. The strategic depth may also lead to some frustration for younger or less patient players.