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Best Parent Family Games

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The Family Gamer Awards FGA suggests ideal games for different family age-groups: Infants, Juniors, Students, Workers, Parents and Seniors.

These awards complement PEGI's age-appropriate ratings by suggesting games each age group will enjoy. Rather than warning families about which games are inappropriate, we suggest which games each age group will get the most out of.

The games awarded for infants for example, not only contain appropriate content for 3 year olds but are also easy enough for them to play and enjoy.

Games for Parents
The best games for parents, mums, dads, carers, aunties and uncles. These games connect with the gamer on a more mature level. Story driven and often open ended, the experiences here provide space to play with complex issues and engage in moral dilemmas. Either that or to escape the grind of the work/home balance.

Journey
Buy:
UK US
Journey: Journey offers a most unusual experience where players interact with each other by movement alone and traverse a bleak desert landscape. This almost spiritual game is ideal for thoughtful parents.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2012
- Platform: PS3 PSN version(s)

New Little Kings Story
Buy:
UK US
New Little Kings Story: A action role play game without the usual Japanese style or character back slapping. While the visuals are cartoony the gameplay and real time strategy premise are anything but childish. In a similar vein to Pikmin, New Little Kings Story brings the excellent Wii game to Sony's handheld for some perfect parent playground gameplay.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2012
- Platform: Vita version(s)

Mutant Mudds
Buy:
UK US
Mutant Mudds: Mutant Mudds is a platform game that uses the 3DS depth to full extent. Worlds are constructed of multiple layers that you jump between to progress. More than this novelty it is the 8-bit graphics and sound that will delight parent gamers who remember these styles of games the first time round.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2012
- Platform: 3DS iPad version(s)

Papo and Yo
Buy:
UK US
Papo and Yo: A platform game not unlike Ico but with a more biographical slant. Through the medium of play we learn of the developers struggles growing up with an alcoholic parents. It's a mature subject well handled, and more than a little eye opening for parents.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2012
- Platform: PS3 version(s)

The Walking Dead
Buy:
UK US
The Walking Dead: While both comic and TV series skip over the beginning of the zombie outbreak, the game starts right at the beginning. It brings puzzling, action and developing character relationships together in a wonderful way, culminating in a frenetic sequence where Lee has to make a very big call very, very quickly. It's smart, exciting, and really pays off all the investment put into the characters earlier in the game.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Autumn 2012
- Platform: 360 version(s)

Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed
Buy:
UK US
Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed: Essentially a Mario Kart style racing game with Sega star characters. Sonic beats Mario to the punch by including different vehicles in the console version and offering five person local multiplayer on the WiiU. The perfect game for parents to enjoy with their families -- even if they have more than the usual 2.3 children!
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2012
- Platform: 360 PS3 Wii WiiU version(s)

XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Buy:
UK US
XCOM: Enemy Unknown: A return to the classic turn-based randomly generated gameplay of classics like Laser Squad and XCOM. A slower more thoughtful pace combined with tactical elements make this ideal for parents.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2012
- Platform: 360 PS3 version(s)

Costume Quest
Buy:
UK US
Costume Quest: Our parent gamers took some time to discover this gem. They loved the sentimental childhood setting and sibling rivalry, as will the great writing. But beyond this, Costume Quest is a well honed adventure game played out in miniature and in everyday places - the neighbourhood, the mall and back at home.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2011
- Platform: 360 version(s)

Driver San Francisco
Buy:
UK US
Driver San Francisco: A game that families can play together. Younger players can help by setting traps for the criminals by connecting the DS to the Wii game. Two older players can control the driving and targeting on the Wii in an experience that enables the toddlers to get in on the action.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2011
- Platform: Wii DS version(s)

FIFA 12
Buy:
UK US
FIFA 12: A new impact system for players, improved tactics and graphics make FIFA 12 stand out. But it's the history that parents have with this game that will make it one to play with the whole family.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2011
- Platform: 360 PS3 3DS Wii PC version(s)

Uncharted 3 Drakes Deception
Buy:
UK US
Uncharted 3 Drakes Deception: Something a little more thought provoking that other shooting games. Parents will enjoy be reunited with favourite characters as this next chapter slowly plays out.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Winter 2011
- Platform: PS3 version(s)

Heavy Rain
Buy:
UK US
Heavy Rain: For parents wanting to engage in something a little more emotionally taxing this is perfect. A branching story that generates real moments of emotion and decision. At only nine hours long it's also ideal for time strapped mums and dads. Move controls add novelty if you have them, but are by no means essential.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2010
- Platform: PS3 Move version(s)

Alan Wake
Buy:
UK US
Alan Wake: A substantial thriller for parents to unwind with. An intelligent plot and years of development have made this an ideal game for anyone looking to forget the troubles of the day.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2010
- Platform: 360 version(s)

Limbo
Buy:
UK US
Limbo: A ethereal brooding platform game with filmic atmosphere and unnerving depth throughout. Something a little more meaningful for parent gamers to enjoy.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2010
- Platform: 360 version(s)

Red Dead Redemption
Buy:
UK US
Red Dead Redemption: Red Dead Redemption wants to be about shocks and controversy, but underneath there's a story we can all relate to - a father wanting the best for his family at any price.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Winter 2010
- Platform: 360 PS3 PC version(s)

Fable 2
Buy:
UK US
Fable 2: We may be a little late to the Fable party but with Knot Hole Island and See the Future expending the experience we have been captivated by just how meaningful a game this is. Never before has a video game created such a sense of consequence to each and every choice. Proper ethically engaged gaming fun.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2009
- Platform: 360 version(s)

Red Faction
Buy:
UK US
Red Faction: Because every fence, building and vehicle can be destroyed and brought crumbling down, players have many more ways to complete what would otherwise be an average shooter. The attention to architectural destruction makes this into the thinking man's shooting game.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2009
- Platform: PS3 360 version(s)

Dragon Age: Origins
Buy:
UK US
Dragon Age: Origins: The depth and length of Dragon Age Origins is reason alone to acquire this game and delve into its impressive story. But the mature nature of the content and the way its presented really show how far video games have come in recent years.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2009
- Platform: PS3 360 PC version(s)

Assassin'S Creed 2
Buy:
UK US
Assassin'S Creed 2: A return to the free-running assassination of the original proves to be exciting and fresh. Enough has been reworked to make this a great game in it's own right. Intrigue and ethics combine with the nuanced fighting and climbing to create a compelling experience.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Winter 2009
- Platform: PS3 360 PC version(s)

Animal Crossing: Let's go to the City
Buy:
UK US
Animal Crossing: Let's go to the City: Sets you on a magical island tied to real work time. Buy a house, settle down and start collecting furniture. But to see everything here you need to play through a calendar year and get up at strange times in the night to catch particular insects and fish. Compelling, all encompassing and a lot of fun for fanatical players.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2008
- Platform: DS Wii version(s)

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Buy:
UK US
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune: This is the unusual and stunning collision of good story, great voice work and enjoyable game play. Although not too much for the grey matter to contend with the experience is as emotional as any blockbuster movie.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2008
- Platform: PS3 version(s)

Assassin's Creed
Buy:
UK US
Assassin's Creed: The fluid climbing of the main character and tactile nature of the environments first impress here. But play a little longer and you find a game with an interesting relationship to death and revenge.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2008
- Platform: PS3 360 PC version(s)

Mirror's Edge
Buy:
UK US
Mirror's Edge: This game takes a familiar platforming genre and introduces a first person perspective. What results is a brilliant and unique experience that is as much about how we interact with our environment as it is about shooting the bad guys.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Game of the Year
- Date: Winter 2008
- Platform: PS3 360 PC version(s)

Endless Ocean
Buy:
UK US
Endless Ocean: The slower pace of simple diving exploration belies an expansive and enthralling world to discover. Intrigue and mystery develop alongside stomach tingling underwater vistas and impressive sea bound fish and mammals.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Game of the Year
- Date: Spring 2007
- Platform: Wii version(s)

Shadow of the Colossus
Buy:
UK US
Shadow of the Colossus: The simple David and Goliath experience of a small man facing a massive monster here becomes something special. Pushing the PS2 to its limits (later re-released in HD on PS3), and create a real sense of sadness over each noble Colossus slain, this stands head and shoulders above other adventure games.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2007
- Platform: PS2 PS3 version(s)

Portal
Buy:
UK US
Portal: In the short three hours or so it takes to play there is more characterisation and puzzling fun here than in many fully fledged experiences. First person shooting, physics and logic combine to pose some of the most head scratching levels you can find in a game.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2007
- Platform: 360 XBLA PS3 version(s)

Bioshock
Buy:
UK US
Bioshock: Rapture, the underwater location for Bioshock, create a real sense of place in which to play. This combines with the moral conundrums of how to deal with the children inhabitants that the game can leave the player genuinely challenged and disturbed.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2007
- Platform: 360 PS3 version(s)

Okami
Buy:
UK US
Okami: This is a game that impresses by its commitment to a solitary idea - a playable Japanese painting. Parents will enjoy the mature story that matches the art style and considerable videogame adventure challenge. This is a very different game experience that is as intriguing to watch as it is to play.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: 2006
- Platform: Wii PS2 version(s)

Ico
Buy:
UK US
Ico: An enchanting puzzle game with a grown up theme -- lost children in dangerous spaces. The gameplay is a cross between platforming and puzzling, but is it the experience of controlling two lost children as they lead each other to safety that makes this such a compelling play for parents. (Later released on the PlayStation 3 in HD).
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Game of the Year
- Date: 2005
- Platform: PS2 PS3 version(s)

Legend of Zelda The Four Swords
Buy:
UK US
Legend of Zelda The Four Swords: Not only is this a simple way to start playing Zelda adventure games, but by connecting four GBA consoles and using them to control the multiplayer this creates some of the most unique family gameplay we've seen.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Game of the Year
- Date: 2004
- Platform: Gamecube GBA version(s)

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