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The Next Door

Review · Adventure · PC

The Next Door

Reviewed: 27 May 2026

PC

Labory · 2016

Ludograph rating

E

Avoid

31 /100

Automated review
06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 18 · R 0
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

18

Risk (RIS)

0

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

–

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.26
B2Social-emotional
0.10
B3Motor
0.10

The Next Door, an adventure-casual indie game, appears to offer a thoughtful experience focused on introspection and exploration. While specific mechanics are not detailed, the genre suggests opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking. Its casual nature means it's likely accessible and can be enjoyed without high demands on motor skills or intense social interaction.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

This game presents exceptionally low risks across all categories. It explicitly avoids compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures (with no microtransactions, loot boxes, or subscriptions), and social risks like stranger chat or competitive toxicity. There is no indication of concerning content such as violence, sexual themes, or strong language. This makes it a very safe and straightforward gaming experience.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.00
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 — 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.

Avg playtime~4 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is The Next Door safe for kids?

Ludograph gives The Next Door a rating of 31/100. Significant risks make this hard to recommend for younger players.

How long should kids play The Next Door?

Our session recommendation for The Next Door 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 Next Door?

This game presents exceptionally low risks across all categories. It explicitly avoids compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures (with no microtransactions, loot boxes, or subscriptions), and social risks like stranger chat or competitive toxicity. There is no indication of concerning content such as violence, sexual themes, or strong language. This makes it a very safe and straightforward ga