Rec Room

Game images by RAWG

Rec Room

Rec Room Inc. (Against Gravity)

Windows (VR and non-VR); PS4/PS5 (VR optional); Xbox One/Series; iOS, Androidfree-to-play

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Rec Room offers a vast, player-created world of games and social spaces, especially immersive in VR. Its creative potential is high, but parents must be vigilant due to extensive online chat, user-generated content, and potential social risks. It's a decent choice with clear family rules.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Rec Room is a free-to-play social hub that can be genuinely fun and creative, earning it a 'Decent' health score. It shines brightest for players who enjoy making things and interacting with friends in diverse, player-built games. However, the open nature of its online interactions and user-generated content means active parental involvement is critical to mitigate social risks. It's best with strict communication rules and supervision, making it a qualified fit for families ready to engage.

What players actually do

Players invent and build their own games, rooms, and objects using in-game tools, exercising imagination and problem-solving skills.
Players socialize with friends and strangers in virtual spaces, engaging in voice and text chat, practicing communication and teamwork.
Players participate in a wide variety of mini-games like paintball, dodgeball, or parkour, developing coordination and strategic thinking.

Where it shines

The game provides powerful creation tools, enabling players to design and share their own unique experiences, fostering significant creativity and self-expression.
Its cross-platform nature and focus on social interaction make it easy for friends to connect and play together across various devices, enhancing social bonds.

Parent watch-outs

The open online environment includes extensive voice and text chat, posing significant social risks from exposure to strangers and potentially inappropriate conversations.
User-generated content varies widely in quality and theme; while official games are generally mild, some player-made rooms may contain unsuitable material.

Family rules worth setting

Restrict chat settings to 'Junior' mode or private rooms with known friends only, and actively monitor all communications.
Set time limits for play sessions and require approval before visiting new user-created rooms to screen for appropriate content.

Talk about this

Discuss appropriate online behavior, how to report uncomfortable interactions, and the importance of never sharing personal information with strangers.
Talk about the value of in-game purchases and subscriptions, explaining how they work and why spending limits are important for non-essential items.

Play style

Players can dive into quick, casual mini-games or spend extended sessions building intricate rooms. Difficulty is player-driven, ranging from simple social hangouts to challenging user-created quests. The game thrives on social interaction, primarily with co-op or competitive multiplayer. Younger players will need help navigating menus, understanding social settings, and dealing with potentially difficult online interactions.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

1/5

Creativity

4/5

Pro-Social

3/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

2/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

5/5

Content Intensity

2/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

1/5

Rec Room offers minimal direct educational content. While players can learn some design principles through building, the game's primary focus is social interaction and entertainment rather than academic or curriculum-based learning.

Creativity

4/5

The game strongly encourages creativity by providing extensive tools for players to build and share their own games, rooms, and avatars. This platform empowers players to invent unique experiences and express themselves through creation, earning a high score.

Addictive Monetization

2/5

Monetization primarily involves non-essential cosmetic items and a subscription, which are noticeable but not aggressively designed to compel continuous spending. While present, the in-game purchases for outfits and items do not heavily influence core gameplay, leading to a moderate risk score.

Social Risk

5/5

Rec Room is an open online social platform with extensive voice and text chat, leading to the highest possible social risk. Exposure to strangers, potential for inappropriate conversations, and user-generated content that varies in theme demand constant parental vigilance.