Is Viral Game Amanda The Adventurer Safe For Kids?

At first glance, you may think the popular video game, Amanda the Adventurer, is great for kids. It has everything from a typical children’s TV show—cartoons, bright colours and, of course, talking animals. However, if you give the game a try, you’ll soon realize that it has a dark twist.

The indie-horror video game, Amanda the Adventurer, has gone viral on TikTok, and videos of people playing it have gained millions of views on YouTube. But the game has attracted more than just streamers. It has also caught the attention of kids and tweens.

With two editions of the game already released, you may be wondering when Amanda the Adventurer 3 is coming out and if it's safe for your kids to play. This article will break down everything you need to know about the release, the game’s content and how you can talk to your kids about seeing frightening media they aren't ready for.

What is Amanda the Adventurer?

First released in 2023, Amanda the Adventurer is a single-player video game that combines challenging, escape room-style puzzles with chilling storylines. It begins with players watching old VHS tapes of a children's educational show featuring a cheerful girl named Amanda and her sheep friend, Woolie.

As the game goes on, it prompts players to interact with the show by typing answers to Amanda's questions, which leads to increasingly disturbing and unsettling outcomes. The game uses 90s-style CGI animation to create a feeling of nostalgia and innocence, disguising its underlying horror narrative.

Amanda the Adventurer was originally targeted towards fans of the indie-horror video game genre, but since its release, it’s gained a wider audience. Content creators began to feature it in their streams and gameplay videos, which increased its online popularity.

The appeal of Amanda the Adventurer to children

Are you wondering why your eight-year-old would be interested in Amanda the Adventurer in the first place? Well, the video game’s visual style resembles classic children’s TV shows, which initially attracts younger viewers. Even its logo has similarities to the imagery in Dora the Explorer.

Whether it's gameplay videos or clips on TikTok, your child may have already been exposed to Amanda the Adventurer without even playing it themselves. Chances are if they’ve seen their favourite YouTuber play the game, they would want a chance to be part of the trend as well.

Kids who love puzzles or solving mysteries may find the game engaging even if its horror elements are scary or disturbing. The frightening element can also appeal to kids, especially if it feels like “forbidden fruit.” If they think Amanda the Adventurer is something they shouldn’t be playing, it can make the experience more intriguing.

Matthew Johnson, the director of education at MediaSmarts, says this element of fear can pull kids into games like Amanda the Adventurer. “As kids are developing their ability to manage fear, it can be exciting for them to have an experience that is somewhat frightening, but fundamentally they know is safe,” says Johnson.

“But the concern, of course, is that with something like this, where the fear experience comes from blending an aesthetic and content that seems to be for younger children with disturbing content, makes it a lot more challenging for young people to manage this fear.”

Is Amanda the Adventurer 3 happening?

Since the first edition of Amanda the Adventurer, the developers, MANGLEDmaw Games, released a sequel in October 2024. They have also announced they will be developing a final game to complete the trilogy and give fans “one last adventure.”

Even though Amanda the Adventurer 3 was teased on Twitter/X in April 2025, the developers haven’t specified when exactly it will come out. In the indie game world, official release dates are often announced closer to completion of the game. Until then, keep your eyes out for official announcements on Amanda the Adventurer’s social media accounts and game platforms like Steam.

What parents should know

Before you give your kids the go-ahead to play, here’s a breakdown of Amanda the Adventurer’s ratings, content, overall themes and more.

Ratings

On both PlayStation and Nintendo, the original version of Amanda the Adventurer received a “teen rating” from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Even though this rating says the game’s content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up, it's important to come to your own informed decision about whether or not the game is safe for your child.

The gaming platform Steam also includes a note from the developers stating that the game includes mature content such as “blood, mild language, and psychological horror."

Elements

If your kid plays Amanda the Adventurer, definitely expect them to have a few jump scares. The game includes themes of manipulation, implied violence and psychological horror, which can create an unsettling atmosphere. There are also several visual and auditory aspects that contribute to the horror element of the game, such as glitch effects, distorted audio and character transformations.

Narratives and themes

While the beginning of the game seems innocent, it takes a few turns. Throughout the game, the narrative evolves and becomes more disturbing as players make choices. Amanda the Adventurer also has potential themes of control, hidden dangers, and the subversion of childhood innocence.

Talking to your child about Amanda the Adventurer

Whether you played video games yourself as a kid or have never touched a controller in your life, talking to your kids about a game like Amanda the Adventurer may feel daunting. However, having open communication about the content they’re consuming can help create more understanding.

Ask them questions to start the conversation:

• Have you heard about this video game before?
• How does it make you feel?
• What makes you interested in playing the game?

Johnson also suggests talking to your kids about traditional media conventions, such as how music and lighting can make a scene or game more frightening. “Once they understand how media are constructed to be scary, they're better able to distance themselves from it,” he says. Discussing this with your kids can also help them establish the difference between fiction and reality.

Along with these conversations, it's also important to do your own research and check age ratings for different games and media. “Just because it looks like something for kids, you can't assume that it's safe,” says Johnson.

If you don’t think the game is appropriate for them to play alone, try co-viewing gameplay videos or playing together to understand the content and discuss the game in real-time.

Managing screen time and scary content

Creating a safe space

Creating a safe space for children to discuss anxieties relating to scary content starts with respecting their fears, explains Johnson. “We are frightened by what frightens us, and so we should never discourage them or punish them in any way for coming to us when they're frightened by something.”

Jesica McLaughlin, the head of creative and production at FootStomp, an agency that specializes in family and children’s media, also agrees that it's important to provide a safe environment for your kids to express themselves. “Even though the game is not real, the emotion is super real to your kid. Be there to listen and let them express their emotions,” she says.

Set limits and permissions

Setting time limits and making sure your kids are also participating in other offline activities, such as playing sports or doing crafts, can help them have a more balanced day-to-day routine. McLaughlin also advises parents to change the downloading permissions on individual devices and encourage kids to play on screens in shared spaces at home.

“I don’t want my kids to feel like I'm spying on them all the time,” she explains. “So when they're playing games in the living room or a shared computer space, there is more to listen in on, and then there are more conversations and in-person interactions about the game.”

Do your own research

McLaughlin suggests parents pre-screen the game before their kids get a chance to play. If you do so and decide that a game like Amanda the Adventurer isn’t well-suited for your kids, feel free to research other alternatives that are engaging but also age-appropriate. ESRB ratings and reviews online can be helpful tools to help you decipher if a video game is right for your family.

The bottom line

Even though Amanda the Adventurer 3 has yet to receive an official release date, its anticipation can lead to questions about whether it's safe for your kids to play at home. That’s why, as video game trends continue to change, it's important to stay informed about the media your children are consuming.

Despite its innocent appearance, Amanda the Adventurer contains horror content unsuitable for young children. While the game may be better suited for your older kids, reviewing its themes or ratings beforehand can help you make an informed decision about what they watch and play.

Parental guidance plays a key role in helping children understand and process potentially unsettling content. Johnson says having open conversations with your kids can create a safe space for them to express their fears and deal with unfamiliar emotions. “We have to go in with the assumption that kids are going to see things that frighten them for whatever reason,” he explains. "And so they need to feel comfortable coming to us."

Experts

• Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education at MediaSmarts, Canada's leading non-profit center for digital media literacy.
• Jessica McLaughlin is the head of creative and production at FootStomp, a creative agency that specializes in family and children’s media.