It might make the kids more independent if you look at it from a different angle.
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Runescape
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
This medieval multiplayer game isn't for all kids.
updated 09.16.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–15
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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User-created content:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
How safe is it?
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Personal privacy:
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Online interaction:
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Parental controls:
What Parents Need to Know
About Runescape
Parents need to know that the discussion forums can be read by anyone, but only paying members can post messages. Some of the topics contain barely disguised vulgarities and sexual references, though there are moderators that keep an eye on things and who can ban users who get too out of line. Under the terms and conditions agreed to at sign-up, players must use the chat feature only as an extension of their role-playing activities. The terms and conditions document warns against inappropriate behavior, and extensive instructions are given to help the user block unwanted communications using the built-in game functions. Combat and dueling is an important part of the game; however, according to passionate discussions in the forum, there is a lot of cold-blooded murder going on, too.
Read our full review by Jean Armour Polly
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the pros and cons of this game. What do you learn that may be valuable in the real world? How do you feel about the violent aspects of the game?
Our Members Say
See all 296 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Looking at a different angle
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Safety is an issue
- My highlights are:
- Educational
OMG! IT"S LIKE, SOOOO AWESOME!
OMG! OMG! I like, totally, totally, love this game! It's so awesome! Especially when you try to get drunk on beer when a message pops up that your beer drinking level isn't high enough to get drunk. In-game characters regularly have Omega watches, Brooks Brothers suits, and have weapons that are proclaimed to be "Made by the finest craftsmen in the land of Smith & Wesson". Also, there are some totally awesome cases when the like, hottest, cutest, characters just go and outright say 'Motherf***er', 'C***sucker', 'S***f***er,' and even 'Motherf***ingba*****ofallinmygodd**nflippin h**l. Oh yeah, and we need to put s**t in that sentence somewhere. The fights are awesome, like killing a street urchin with a dagger in cold blood and fatally stabbing giants and then doing unspeakable things to the corpses! And to top that off, the females are all scantily clad and tell barely disguised innuendo jokes. At one point in the game, a king comments 'My fetish for c***sucking just hasn't been satisfied. Will you help me right this wrong?'. But it's all soooo educational! The only downside is that just seeing the main page will give your computer a half dozen viruses and trojans.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Be Mature About It
This game is great! Just be careful what you say to other players as they are quite sensitive at times. If the game was not an MMO, the game would be perfect for all ages. It shows teamwork, fighting alongside other players. Great game for 10 and up!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Perfect for tweens, but iffy for kids
RuneScape is built for teens and tweens, but accepts kids too. I like how it has puzzles in it to help a player's strategy thinking go at the speed of light. I don't like the negative messages, such as how you can kill innocent bystanders or in some quests you help evil win over good. The violence is a natural part of the game. There are demons and werewolves that would certainly make me wet my pants if I was 5-8 and in some dungeons and areas are torture devices and dried blood. The only drinkable liquids in the game are potions and alcoholic beverages. Also, the community can be both supportive, but sometimes cruel and using sexual innuendos like "Why not whack it once or twice"
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- User content isn't age appropriate
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Fun but...
Some players will ask your name. There is wine and beer and cursing is easy.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it's educational |
| 33% | of parents feel the site is not safe |
| 33% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 33% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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