Live A Live
LumiScore
Growth
47/100
Growth Value
- Problem Solving
- Strategic Thinking
- Reading & Language
Risk
LOW
Engagement Patterns
Minimal pressure to spend or play excessively.
Heads up
Parent Pro-Tip
Play the chapters together and discuss the different time periods and cultures represented—this is a great opportunity for conversation about history, perspective-taking, and ethical choices across different scenarios.
Top Skills Developed
Development Areas
Representation?How diverse the game's characters are in gender and ethnicity. Higher = more authentic representation. Display only — does not affect time recommendation.
Bechdel Test?The Bechdel Test checks whether a game has at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. A simple measure of representation.— Passes the test
Multiple chapters feature female protagonists and characters who interact about plot-relevant matters beyond male characters
Parent Pro-Tip
Leverages the game's unique anthology structure (7-8 distinct time periods) to build cultural literacy, historical context, and perspective-taking skills while reinforcing strategic thinking through varied gameplay mechanics.
What your child develops
Live A Live offers exceptional cognitive benefits through its innovative anthology structure, featuring seven distinct scenarios across different time periods. Each chapter presents unique strategic challenges in turn-based combat, requiring players to adapt their problem-solving approaches to different mechanics and rule sets. The game excels at reading comprehension and narrative analysis as players must understand character motivations across vastly different cultural and historical contexts—from prehistoric times to the distant future. Strategic thinking is core to combat success, with grid-based positioning and character-specific abilities demanding careful planning. The game's chapter variety naturally promotes learning transfer as players apply tactical concepts across different scenarios. Strong ethical reasoning threads run throughout, with multiple chapters exploring moral dilemmas, sacrifice, and the consequences of violence. The diverse cast and settings provide excellent cross-cultural exposure and empathy development as players experience life through wildly different protagonists.
Regulatory Compliance
Tap a badge for details. Grey = not yet assessed.
About this game
Live A Live (ライブ・ア・ライブ) is a RPG video game published by SquareSoft released on September 2nd, 1994 for the SNES. The game was directed by Takashi Tokita, known for his work in Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger.