Content Advisory Tags

Content Advisory Tags and How to Use this Page

This page contains all of our currently listed and used Content Advisory Tags--that is, those tags that we apply to games when reviewing them to indicate whether or not they contain content that could be potentially harmful, traumatic, or even triggering for the audience. Each Content Advisory Tag in the list below will contain a general description of what constitutes our use of the tag when reviewing a game, as well as what that tag does not cover. Each Content Advisory Tag will also be linked to its own page, where we will do our best to keep a list of all games currently in our database that have that kind of content. If an individual is looking for games that do not contain any of a particular content, each Content Advisory page will also contain a link to a list of all games which are free of that type of content, allowing individuals to have a tool to avoid that kind of content, if for whatever reason it is important to them to avoid it. Please note that this list is always growing, changing, and being revised. If you feel we've missed an important tag, please let us know. Similarly, please note that though we strive diligently for completeness in our Content Advisories, we may have missed something. Though this is unlikely, please still exercise caution. If you have any severe mental health concerns relating to your ability to safely play videogames, please do not use us as your sole resource. Take care of yourself; you deserve to be safe and happy.

Please note that due to the nature of the material, it is possible that game content that might otherwise be a surprise could be spoiled through looking through these lists. We will do our best to label spoilers, but if spoilers are important to you, it would be advisable to ask someone you know to look for you.

Alcohol

Games with this tag contain scenes in which alcohol, alcoholic beverages, or a fictional substance that functions like and is treated like alcohol, are referenced, consumed, or otherwise present on screen.

Animal Abuse

Games with this tag contain scenes in which animals are being caused suffering, pain, or otherwise being mistreated. Such content could include mistreatment of pets by negligent owners, mistreatment of animals by scientists and researchers, or the harm or slaying of animals by characters for no purpose beyond personal gratification or demonstration of evil intent. In short, this tag is primarily for instances in which the suffering of animals is depicted in graphic detail. This tag will not include games in which unsympathetically portrayed animals are slain for practical purposes, such as self defense or for food/resources/etc. This tag will also not include games in which there are animals that can be slain by the player, but do not need to be slain, as such actions are not forced upon the player in the same way that other events might be.

Animal Death

Games tagged with this content contain scenes in which an animal which has been portrayed sympathetically is slain. Examples of this kind of content are when a protagonist's pet or animal companion sacrifices themselves to save the protagonist, or in which said animal is slain by a villain to demonstrate evil intent. Though this is similar to the animal abuse content advisory, there can still be animal abuse without animal death, which is why they are listed separately. This tag will not include games in which unsympathetically portrayed animals are slain for practical purposes such as self defense, or for food/resources, etc. This tag will also not include games in which there are animals that can be slain by the player, but do not need to be slain, as such actions are not forced upon the player in the same way that other events might be.

Aquatic Violence

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios in which the player can be harmed while in the water specifically via aquatic means. This can include anything from a character being attacked by ordinary fish, by some sort of sea-monster, or merely situations in which the water itself is harmful to the character, such as the water being too cold, too warm, or in some way toxic or caustic. This tag, however, does not include drowning, as aquatic violence and drowning, though related, may appear independently of one another.

Avians

Games tagged with this contain depictions of avians and or any other creatures whose features are evocative of the image of an avian. Avians include any type of bird or bird-like animal. This tag also contains depictions of birds that are not hostile, for example a group of crows flying near the Player Character that will not attack. This does not include bats, since bats are categorized under the Rats/Rodents tag.

Bigoted Language

Games tagged with this content contain language that some individuals may find offensive or hateful. This language can include racially charged slurs, slurs against individuals of a certain sexuality or gender identity, etc. This tag is separate from related tags, such as racism, etc, because a game's content could be racist without ever employing bigoted language, and a game could otherwise be inoffensive, but still employ tasteless or bigoted language.

Blood

Games tagged with this content contain blood, images of blood, etc, regardless of context.

Body Horror

Games tagged with this content contain materials portraying scenarios in which an individual's body is warped, twisted, perverted, changed, or generated in some way that would have the potential to generate a visceral, unpleasant, or horrifying reaction in a viewer. This most commonly takes the forms of extreme mutilation or maiming, but can also include scenarios in which an individual's body is changed in some way into something terrifying or unpleasant, such as transformation into a monster, etc.

Bones

Games tagged with this content include the image of bones, primarily situations in which they are either unmoving remnants or animate skeletons.

Brainwashing

Games tagged with this content include scenarios in which a character is subjected to brainwashing; a situation in which a character has, through a series of actions, beliefs, desires, motivations, etc forced onto them sufficiently that they are unable to resist those beliefs, desires, motivations, etc.

Canines

Games tagged with this contain depictions of canines and or any other creatures whose features are evocative of the image of a canine. Canines include dogs, foxes, wolves, etc. This tag also contains depictions of canines that are not hostile, for example dogs wandering around the area that will not attack the Player Character.

Cannibalism

Games tagged with this content will contain material in which sentient/sapient creatures, such as humans and or intelligent nonhumans consume the flesh of another member of their species or some other intelligent species, regardless of context.

Claustrophobia

Games tagged with this content contain material in which the player is in the perspective of someone who is trapped in a very small space. This tag includes both scenarios in which the player is trapped in a small space as well as scenarios in which the player is given the perspective of an individual who, though not the player's avatar in the game, is trapped in a small space.

Clowns

Games tagged with this content contain depictions of clowns or any other creatures/characters that are evocative of the image of a clown.

Darkness

Games tagged with this include scenarios in which darkness, or the overall absence of light plays a role in the game mechanically, obscuring threats to the player or being in any other way linked with the presence of danger. This includes the common mechanic "Fog of War" present in many tactical games.

Dead Bodies

Games tagged with this content contain at least one instance of the presence of a corpse, regardless of context.

Death of Family/Friends

Games tagged with this content ]contain scenarios in which a character which is a family member or friend of a sympathetically portrayed character dies at some point in the game, regardless of context.

Dehumanization

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios in which sentient or sapient characters, such as humans or intelligent nonhumans, are treated in such a way that they are stripped of personal autonomy, rights, respect, etc, by others. This can include scenarios in which the sentience of a group of individuals is denied, or scenarios when an individual is stripped of their rights and treated like an animal.

Depiction of Disaster

Games with this tag have at least one depiction of a large-scale disaster. This can include natural disasters, terrorist attacks, military or alien invasions, etc. This tag also includes games that depict the aftermath of a disaster or the effects of a disaster such as looting, loss of family, loss of property, martial law, lawlessness etc.

Depiction of War

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios where war is graphically depicted. This includes scenarios where troops, battle formations, etc. are shown or described in the game and where the Player Character is part of a military body. This also includes any depiction of events of a historical war. This does not include scenarios that depict graphic violence or gore, as those have their own tags.

Disease

Games tagged with this content contain material relating to things such as illnesses, diseases, plagues, etc, regardless of context.

Disruptive Home Life

This tag denotes any scenario in which the home of a character is unsafe, unsettling, or otherwise lacks the quality of a "safe space" that one would normally qualify as the defining characteristic of "home." This can be for any number of reasons, including but not limited to situations in which the struggles or disagreements of a character's parents, guardians, siblings, partners, etc. that are not otherwise abusive nevertheless change the atmosphere of the home to one that is on-edge or uncomfortable. This also includes a sudden change in a character's home life including but not limited to the sudden death of a parent, a sibling being kicked out of the home, the sudden absence of a caretaker, etc.

Dolls

Games tagged with this content contain depictions of dolls or doll-like characters that are features in the game. Generally this tag will cover dolls that are animate or evil in nature.

Drowning

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios in which drowning occurs or can occur, regardless of context.

Electrocution

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios where electricity is used in a combative nature or characters can be harmed by electricity.

Emotional Abuse

Games tagged with this content contain situations in which an individual is emotionally abused--mistreated, devalued, manipulated, and controlled by an individual through means of language and statements of self worth, etc, over a long period of time. This also includes scenarios in which an individual used the threat of negative emotional experiences to control the behavior of another. This tag will not cover instances in which a single moment of mistreatment or manipulation is present--only instances in which the content demonstrates or implies continued treatment of a character in an abusive fashion.

Existential Despair

Games tagged with this content contain material that makes the viewer experience a sense of hopelessness or unease through contemplative or philosophical content. Many of the games tagged with this content contain material questioning the nature of reality, of life, its meaning, and often relate to eternity and meaninglessness. Though the concepts themselves that make up material that can bring about existential despair can be quite varied, this tag is nevertheless used to ensure that players sensitive to this sort of material are able to feel safe and comfortable.

Explosions

Games tagged with this contain one or more incidents of any kind of explosion occurring, regardless of context. The explosion may be purely visual, purely audio, or a combination of the two. This tag is not limited to the classical image of the explosion that involves a rapidly expanding ball of fire. This tag also includes things like loud bangs and is especially dedicated to helping protect those individuals who are easily startled or suffer from PTSD, especially from proximity to or involvement in combat or warfare.

Eye Horror/Eye Trauma

Games tagged with this contain instances in which an individual at any point suffers from physical harm to their eyes, especially in instances in which it is depicted in detail.

Felines

Games tagged with this contain depictions of felines and or any other creatures whose features are evocative of the image of a feline. Felines include cats, lions, jaguars, etc. This tag also contains depictions of felines that are not hostile, for example cats wandering around the area that will not attack the Player Character.

Fire

Games tagged with this contain scenarios involving uncontrolled fires. This includes forest fires, burning buildings, instances in which people are harmed by fire, etc. This also includes any games in which the player or any other characters employ fire as a weapon. This tag does not include things like fireplaces or camp fires.

Forced Implantation

Games with this tag involve any situation where a person or sentient being is implanted with something against their will. This includes mechanical implants, forced pregnancy, forced incubation of alien/insect young, etc. This does not include instances in which a character is stabbed, shot, or otherwise injured, as that would fall under other tags.

Gender Dysphoria

A game with this tag contains characters, be they the player's avatar or non-player characters, who is experiencing any sort of disconnect between their current gender presentation, sex assignment, or body, and how they personally identify or view themselves. Additionally, this can include any situation in which a character is in any way unsure of what gender they identify most strongly with/are most comfortable as, or are in any other way dissatisfied with their current gender, sex assignment etc. This tag however, excludes instances in which a character is dissatisfied with their gender on ground solely due to advantages or disadvantages conferred to them by society as a result of their gender.

Ghosts

Games tagged with this contain scenarios involving ghosts, regardless of context. The appearance of the nonliving visage of a character believed to be dead qualifies as a ghost for the purposes of this tag, as do any floating, haunting, or otherwise incorporeal entity that could be construed as a ghost, ghostly, or ghostlike.

Gore

Games tagged with this contain scenes in which organic creatures, be they human, animal, or otherwise, are violently mauled or maimed sufficiently to render excessive amounts of blood and or internal organs present or visible. This tag also includes scenarios in which body parts are removed or lost in a violent manner.

Graphic Violence

Games tagged with this contain scenes in which violence, such as physical harm to another, is rendered in high detail, either visually, audibly, or through text.

Guns

Games tagged with this contain guns, objects that function like guns, the sound of gunshots, and any other form of weaponry or tool that launches a projectile at a high speed, especially initially propelled by something explosive.

Heights

Games tagged with this contain scenes in which the player may be subjected to imagery of extreme heights, especially in scenarios in which there is a risk of falling.

Homophobia

Games tagged with this contain scenes in which an individual is mistreated, ridiculed, or harmed or hurt, or singled out in any way because they are attracted to, or have engaged in sexual activities with members of the same gender or sex.

Incest

Games tagged with this contain scenes which either depict or imply sexual or romantic intimacy between individuals closely related by blood or family, such as between parent and child or between siblings.

Insects

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which there are creatures depicted that possess insect-like, bug-like, or arachnid-like traits, such as spindly legs, a chitinous exoskeleton, etc. This tag therefore includes instances of creatures which are not technically insects by any definition, but rather, possess traits similar enough to those of insects sufficiently that an individual with an aversion to insects may be rendered uncomfortable. This tag also includes creatures that are not biologically part of the class insecta such as worms, centipedes, etc. This does not include spiders, as they have their own tag.

Jump Scares

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which the player is suddenly and unexpectedly presented with material that could cause stress, be it something threatening or dangerous, a sudden loud noise, something visually disturbing, etc. Even in instances in which such situations may be able to be predicted by foreshadowing, etc, because the precise moment of the event's occurrence cannot be easily pinpointed, it would still qualify as a jump scare and therefore be tagged as such. This also includes events that are not intentionally placed within the game.

Kidnapping

Games tagged with this contain instances in which an individual has been kidnapped, or, captured and held against their will. This can include adults, children, animals, or any sort of sapient or sentient entity.

Medical Malpractice

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual with medical knowledge who might normally be in a position of trust, such as a doctor, nurse, surgeon, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. is misusing their knowledge, training, or position for personal gain, or to harm, mistreat, or control another individual.

Mental Health Institutions

Games tagged with this contain scenarios, references to, and images of mental health institutions, especially in scenarios in which patients in such situations are being abused, mistreated, or harmed in any way.

Mind Control

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual has lost personal autonomy and has had their thoughts, actions, etc, controlled by the will of another through some means or another, though usually via technology, advanced biological manipulation, or via some kind of supernatural ability. This tag does not include scenarios of brainwashing, which has its own tag and is long term process which has similar results to mind control, but is not itself the direct and instantaneous manipulation of one's thoughts and actions in the same manner as mind control.

Murder

Games tagged with this contain instances in which a sapient or sentient entity, either onscreen or off, is killed by another sapient or sentient entity. Either of the aforementioned sapient entities can be the player or their avatar in the game.

Mutilation

Games tagged with this contain instances in which an individual's body is damaged in such a way that it is permanently altered from that damage, regardless of context. This can include ritual scarification, the effects of torture, the result of violence or combat, etc.

Needles

Games tagged with this content contain instances in which an individual is subjected to, or even merely present in situations in which hypodermic needles are present.

Nudity

Games tagged with this content contain nude/exposed bodies from at least one perspective, regardless of context. This tag can also include partial nudity.

Offensive Language

Games tagged with this contain language that could be considered offensive, such as the usage of profanity. This tag does not necessarily include bigoted language, which is its own tag. However, use of the bigoted language tag in almost all cases also qualifies a game for the Offensive Language tag.

Parental Abandonment

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which children have been abandoned by either biological caregivers or other parental/guardian figures. This tag does not include situations in which parental figures are absent due to death.

Physical Abuse

Games tagged with contain scenarios in which an individual repeatedly harms an individual in their care, or uses physical violence and the threat of physical violence to shape and manipulate the behavior of others. This tag will not cover instances in which a single moment of mistreatment or manipulation is present--only instances in which the content demonstrates or implies continued treatment of a character in an abusive fashion.

Psychological Horror

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which the player is subject to material that is psychologically or emotionally tasking, such as a figure directly speaking to or criticizing the player for their actions, or being given knowledge about an unpleasant fate of a character that the character is unaware of, but is nevertheless being driven toward by the plot of the game. Ultimately, however, this tag will serve as something of a catchall for scenarios which the player is subjected to material that might otherwise be characterized as the content of "a psychological thriller" or a "horror story." This tag does not address issues of psychological trauma or mental illness; psychological trauma is its own tag.

Psychological Trauma

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which a character is subjected to extremely psychologically or emotionally tasking events sufficient to have a lasting impact on their psyche, especially resulting in impairment of function, such as the development of a phobia, PTSD, or entire loss of ability to function. This tag also covers games in which characters struggle with mental illness on or off-screen.

Racism

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which individuals are harmed, oppressed, mistreated, the victims of violence or abuse due to their racial background or species. This tag also applies to games which contain themes or images which themselves are racist or oppressive against real-world individuals on the grounds of race or skin color.

Rats/Rodents

Games tagged with this contain rats, rodents, mice, or any creatures or entities whose features are evocative of rodents, regardless of context.

Reptiles

Games tagged with this contain reptiles, amphibians, dragons, or any creatures or entities whose features are evocative of reptiles, regardless of context. Snakes are not included in this tag; snakes are their own tag.

Self Harm

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual is intentionally causing harm to themselves, regardless of context.

Sex

Games tagged with this contain on-screen sexual content, be it depictions of intercourse or other sexual or intimate activities.

Sex Shaming

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual is shamed, mistreated, or criticized for sex or being openly sexual; alternatively, Games tagged with this contain themes which cast a negative light on or otherwise punish those who choose to have sex or be openly sexual.

Sex Slavery

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which individuals are repeatedly forced into sexual encounters against their will, usually as a means for someone else to profit. Alternatively, games tagged with this contain scenarios in which individuals are the victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution.

Sexual Assault

Games tagged with this contain instances in which a character is forced or coerced into a sexual scenario without their full consent, regardless of context.

Sexual Harassment

Games tagged with this include scenarios in which an individual is mistreated or threatened via use of sexual language, imagery, or acts stopping short of an actual sexual encounter, including but not limited to, catcalling, flashing, groping, attempted forced removal of clothing, etc.

Sexualization/Objectification

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which individuals are reduced to sex objects, or are reduced to being treated like a tool solely for the purpose of the enjoyment of others. Alternatively, games tagged with this contain themes or designs which unnecessarily sexualize or objectify characters in it. In instances of sexualization and objectification as being an element of the game's themes, the tag will primarily be concerned with the sexualization of women for the purposes of clarity and dealing with the controversies surrounding the topic.

Slavery

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual has been forced into a situation where they have lost personal autonomy and are instead treated like tools towards an end; such games depict any conditions of slavery or enslavement, regardless of context.

Snakes

Games tagged with this contain depictions of snakes, legless reptiles, and or other creatures whose features are evocative of the image of a serpent, such as sea-serpents, certain kinds of dragons, etc.

Spiders

Games tagged with this contain depictions of spiders and or any other creatures whose features are evocative of the image of a spider, and would otherwise cause discomfort for anyone with an aversion to spiders.

Stalking

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual is being followed, tailed, or otherwise pursued for an extended period of time by another individual, especially in instances in which the pursuit is unwanted, threatening in nature, or likely to end in physical harm.

Substance Abuse

Games tagged with this contain depictions in which individuals struggle with addiction to substances, or otherwise misuse substances such as drugs or alcohol, regardless of context.

Suicide

Games tagged with this contain scenarios in which an individual intentionally takes actions toward ending their own life, or otherwise contains scenarios with details evocative of such an act.

Supernatural Evil

Games tagged with this contain depictions of evil or otherwise malicious supernatural entities, such as devils, demons, etc, that are otherwise not commonly thought of as ghosts. This tag also includes instances of Satanic/demonic rituals, worship, and imagery.

Torture

Games tagged with this contain depictions of torture, regardless of context.

Transphobia

Games tagged with this contain obvious transphobic slurs, demonization of trans characters or experiences, violence against trans individuals, and negative reactions to coded male/female characters performing opposite gendered acts such as wearing stereotypically male/female clothing. This tag includes situations where the character is not trans but is perceived as such.

Undead/Zombies

Games tagged with this contain depictions of entities which could be described as "animate corpses." Such things include but are not limited to zombies, animate skeletons, and vampires.

Unreality

Games tagged with this contain elements to the story or gameplay that force the player to question or doubt the reality of the Player Character’s world and/or actions. This includes games that imply that game events are a figment of the Player Character’s imagination, games that rely heavily on hallucinations of the Player Character to drive the plot, and games that purposefully trick the player into believing a series of events that is later revealed to be untrue. Common instances include it was all a dream, the Player Character was in a coma, etc.

Vehicular Trauma

Games tagged with this content contain depictions of a vehicle that is damaged to the point of danger to the occupants. This includes car accidents, plane crashes, engine malfunction, etc. This also includes scenarios where people are harmed due to damage to a vehicle.

Verbal Abuse

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios where the player, Player Character, or a Non-Player Character is verbally abused by another character. This tag includes scenarios where it is implied that the abuse has been ongoing, but does not contain scenarios where there is only a single instance of an antagonist taunting the player.

Victim Blaming

Games tagged with this content contain scenarios in which the victim of harm, especially in the case of sexual assault, is blamed for their victimization, regardless of context.

Violence Against Children

Games with this tag contain scenarios in which children are hurt or can be hurt, regardless of context.

Vomiting

Games with this tag contain depictions of an individual vomiting, off-screen or on, audible, visual, or otherwise, regardless of context.

Weapons

Games with this tag contain depictions of weapons--implements of violence--including but not limited to guns, swords, knives, grenades, rocket launchers, and tanks.

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