Should You Let Your 11 Year Old Play Ghost of Tsushima?

As a fellow gamer and parent, I get this dilemma. Ghost of Tsushima has received rave reviews for its stunning visuals and gripping gameplay. But it’s also pretty gruesome and intense even for mature audiences. So should you let your 11 year old dive into this savage slice of feudal Japan?

The short answer based on the expert consensus: probably not. While some pre-teens may be able handle it, most child development pros recommend waiting until 14 at bare minimum, and ideally closer to 16.

Of course, every child matures differently. Below I’ll offer some guidance on assessing your kid’s readiness. But first, let’s look at why Ghost of Tsushima earns its “M” rating and causes such concern for the under-17 crowd.

A Bloody Trip Back to 13th Century Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima depicts the first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274, casting you as samurai Jin Sakai defending his homeland. The lush and strikingly beautiful island landscape contrasts sharply against the utterly gruesome violence that occurs there.

Heads and Bodies Separating Frequently

This is sword combat and arrow slinging at its most lethal. In the heat of battle and dramatic finishing moves, limbs are lopped off, skulls cracked open, intestines spilled. The camera does not shy away from showing these moments in all their gory detail.

While an option to turn off blood can make fights slightly less graphic, extreme violence still permeates in decapitations, impalements, and gruesome sound effects.

Captives Set Ablaze

Some cutscenes and environment depictions feature bound captives being immolated by the invaders, such as a soldier burned at the stake. These acts underline the cruelty of the Mongols, yet also expose your child to some deeply disturbing imagery.

Occasional Bare Buttocks

Yep, in a public bathhouse area, poor Jin finds himself on awkward display through no fault of his own. It’s brief and played for laughs, but still. Bare man-butt exposure crosses a line for many parents of 11-year-olds.

M for More Than Just Gore

The ESRB rating also reflects some sexual themes, alcohol use, and language. Throughout the story, you’ll encounter courtesans, drunken fighters, and bandits with some salty mouths. These elements warrant consideration as well if debating exposure for an 11-year-old.

Violent Games Can Impact Real-World Behavior

While research on video game violence remains debated, numerous studies confirm it can influence youth awareness, attitudes, and actions:

• A 2022 study found violent games decreased helping behavior among children ages 7-11.
• Analysis of past research indicates exposure heightens aggression and reduces empathy.
• A 2020 study showed violent games numbed reactions to images of real violence.

So while some impact surely depends on the individual child, parents have reasonable cause for caution, especially around ages 11 or younger.

Expert Recommendations

Most advocacy groups and researchers endorse erring on the side of protecting developing minds that may struggle to separate fantasy from reality or comprehend moral subtleties.

• Common Sense Media: 16+ age rating for Ghost of Tsushima over frequency of graphic violence.
• Pediatric experts: No media violence exposure under age 14 according to interdisciplinary guidance statement.
• My view: Weigh risks and look for compromise options before allowing pre-teen play.

Determining Your Child‘s Readiness

Ghost of Tsushima sits in a gray area of appropriateness for some children nearing adolescence or in their early teens. While age guidelines and ratings offer a starting point, you know your kid best.

Several factors can guide your personal decision:

Questions to Consider

• Does my childtend to imitate media violence they see?
• Do they understand this game depicts events from hundreds of years ago?
• Can my child separate decapitations happening to video game characters versus real people?
• Are they disturbed by graphic war films or do they shrug them off?

If you answer “no” or “uncertain” to some of these questions, exercising more caution is likely wise here.

Setting Limits if You Decide to Allow Play

For parents who decide their pre-teen can handle Ghost of Tsushima, experts strongly emphasize continuous involvement and guardrails.

Co-play the game with your child during the early hours so you experience it together and limit unsupervised time.

Actively discuss the violence, historical context, and ethical issues that arise within the story. Pause gameplay whenever needed to clarify points.

Limit session length to 30-60 minutes to prevent overload and overstimulation. Set this rule before they ever start playing.

Watch out for worrisome reactions during and after sessions and discuss openly. Stop immediately if you observe adverse impacts on behavior or mood.

While the "M" rating means buyer beware, for some 11-year-olds under watchful parental supervision, Ghost of Tsushima may offer a compelling history lesson wrapped within a visually stunning adventure. Yet the prevailing advice remains to proceed with extreme caution when allowing pre-teens entry into this very bloody chapter of Japanese history.

Sources: ESRB.org, CommonSenseMedia.org, AAP Journals, APA.org, PediatricsOnCall.com, GamerRant.com, PushSquare.com