Game images by RAWG
For Honor
Ubisoft
About This Game
Super ReviewFor Honor is a challenging medieval fighting game with deep melee combat. Its unique dueling system demands patience and skill, but the experience is often overshadowed for parents by graphic violence, a steep learning curve, and a frequently toxic online community. It's a qualified fit, best with clear limits.
Super Review
Parent verdict
For Honor is a game for mature players who seek technical, one-on-one combat and team-based objective play. Its core gameplay is distinct and rewarding for those who invest the time, but the overall score reflects significant concerns regarding intense violence, potential for addiction via its monetization model, and a notoriously harsh online environment. Parents should weigh the commitment required against these clear risks, making it a viable option only for older, self-regulating teens.
What players actually do
- Players engage in precise melee combat, utilizing a stance system to block, parry, and attack, exercising timing and spatial awareness.
- Players learn complex character movesets and stamina management, requiring strategic thinking and adaptability to different opponent playstyles.
- Players cooperate in objective-based team modes, communicating and coordinating with allies to capture and defend points, developing teamwork skills.
Where it shines
- The game's combat system is uniquely deep, offering a satisfying challenge that rewards dedicated players for mastering its intricacies and reading opponents.
- Team-based objective modes encourage genuine coordination and strategy, providing a sense of accomplishment through working together effectively.
Parent watch-outs
- The game features graphic executions and intense violence, with blood and gore that contribute to its Mature rating, which may be disturbing.
- The online environment can be harsh and unwelcoming, with potential for toxic player interactions, which can be upsetting or contribute to social risk.
- The business model includes in-game purchases and content passes that can push players towards continued spending on cosmetic items or new content.
Family rules worth setting
- Set strict time limits for play sessions, especially for online modes, to manage engagement and prevent excessive screen time.
- Require players to use a headset only with trusted friends in a private party chat, disabling public voice and text chat to avoid exposure to toxic language.
Talk about this
- Discuss strategies for managing frustrating losses or toxic behavior from other players in online games, emphasizing good sportsmanship and self-care.
- Talk about the value of in-game purchases and cosmetic items, comparing them to real-world spending and understanding their impact on game experience.
Play style
For Honor's session rhythm varies from quick, intense duels to longer objective-based team matches. The steep learning curve means players will face significant friction initially, often losing repeatedly until core mechanics are understood. While a training mode exists, most progression happens through competitive online play. Players primarily engage in one-on-one duels or team-based combat, requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Younger or less patient players may need assistance or encouragement to overcome the initial difficulty spike.
Score Breakdown
Positive Aspects
Risk Factors
Why this rating
Educational Value
1/5For Honor's primary focus is competitive combat and strategy, offering minimal direct educational benefits. While it fosters strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination, these are not its core purpose, resulting in a very low educational value score.
Addictive Monetization
3/5The game's business model involves a premium purchase alongside cosmetic and content passes, encouraging ongoing spending. In-game purchases are present, which can lead to habits that push players toward continued engagement and expenditure, justifying a moderate risk score.
Social Risk
4/5With online play being central and user interaction enabled, the game features harsh online environments. This can expose players to toxic language and behavior from other users, contributing to a high social risk score.
Content Intensity
4/5For Honor carries an M (Mature 17+) ESRB rating, citing Blood and Gore and Intense Violence, including graphic executions that are quite brutal. This explicit and realistic depiction of violence results in a high content intensity score.
Negatives
- •Graphic executions, harsh online environments and monetization
- •steep learning curve can be frustrating.
Positives
- •Unique melee combat that teaches patience, spacing and reading opponents
- •team modes reward coordination.
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Official Ratings
Users Interact; In-Game Purchases
Age Fit
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