If Lego Universe has a legacy to leave behind, it is a page in history soaked with the sorrow of children and parents who simply want to give them a game that they can have fun with and perhaps learn something from. Since I wrote the bit on Lego Universe and children with autism, the stories of the parents have made their way all over the Internet and I’ve received more requests for alternatives and suggestions of said alternatives than I can count.

Lego Universe is a game that won’t be replaced any time soon, the combination of freedom to build and the outstanding community are unmatched by anything else on the market. When suggesting games for kids, I wanted to miss a few caveats that others have a habit of falling into. So here are some games, both online and offline, that can somewhat substitute Lego Universe.

Note: This isn’t to suggest that there aren’t other games that might also be appropriate, this is just a list I’ve compiled based on a few key factors of community interaction/maturity, parental controls, emphasis on spending real money, and lack of grind. If you have a suggestion that I missed, feel free to throw it in the comments box below or send me an email mmofallout[at]gmail[dot]com.

I also wanted to suggest some of the older Lego building games, but unfortunately time has not been friendly with those titles, and reportedly most will not work with Windows XP or newer operating systems.

1. Minecraft

I’ve received more suggestions for Minecraft than any other game on this list, and I fully agree. Minecraft is a blocky world with simple graphics, a distinct lack of blood or gore, and a rich world that is procedurally generated. In survival mode, the player builds up a fort during the day, and when night comes they have to survive against an onslaught of zombies, skeletons, creepers, and more. Since your items break the more you use them, Minecraft can teach time and inventory management, knowing what to turn into a tool and what to save for later.

In creative mode, the player is given unlimited ability to build without the necessity of gathering resources. In this mode, there are none of the monsters/day cycles above and the player is free to create to their heart’s content.

Minecraft has an online mode that is very friendly to parents. I do not suggest allowing your kids on random servers, but you can set up your own server with a password/white list so only approved players can join, or join a family friendly server community where your child can play with similarly minded people.

2. Glitch

Glitch is a game that just leaks with childish glee, that you either hate or fall in love with all of its adorable stupidity. While the play won’t teach your kid anything, like how hugging chickens produces wheat, or that you pigs will hand over their delicious meat if you give them a hug and a nibble, or even that butterflies can be milked, but only if you massage them with butterfly oil…was I going somewhere with this?

Anyway, Glitch is goofy and the community is generally well behaved enough to make the game family friendly. There is a lot to do in Glitch, from gathering to raising your own animals and cooking an enormous amount of foods and drinks. There are alcoholic drinks in Glitch, just a warning for some parents, but they are dwarfed by quests that have you giving gifts, planting plants, and making donations.

Glitch is free, with a subscription that allows a few perks and cash shop cosmetic items.

3. Fusion Fall

I love Cartoon Network, and I love Fusion Fall. Cartoon Network’s Fusion Fall plays as a simple MMO, but with the added effect of playing in your kid’s favorite Cartoon Network locations and alongside their favorite characters. The game is 100% free and still receives updates on an occasional basis.

Fusion Fall is good for kids because it offers the questing of many other MMOs without the major grind that might concern parents. Instead of leveling by grinding thousands of creatures, you level up as you obtain more miniature versions of characters.

Fusion Fall is goofy, cartoony, and much like Cartoon Network itself will not teach your child anything. That being said, it’s a great game for any fan of the television network.

4. Free Realms/Clone Wars Adventures

I lump Free Realms and Clone Wars, although you can play the former on the Playstation 3 as well as on the PC, because they are two of the same kin. Both games have the player participating in varied mini-games based in popular styles (ex. turret defense) to win points to spend on equipment, pets, and stuff for their virtual house.

Both games are free and carry optional subscription and cash shop perks.

5. Wizard101

Wizard 101 is the second most suggested to Lego Universe players, because the game has been a big hit among parents who like to play these games with their kids. Wizard 101 is generally referred to as the Harry Potter MMO because players take the role of wizards in the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts. There are also rather extensive parental controls that can be used to restrict chat with other players to predefined phrases.

I almost didn’t add this, however, because of some complaints I’ve received from the community about the game’s cash shop, but the threat of your child going spend-happy can be curbed by the game’s parental controls.

6. A Tale In The Desert

I had some reserves about adding this game in, but ultimately this is a great game for a kid to play WITH AN ADULT. Make no doubt about it, A Tale In The Desert is a very complicated game, but the reward for playing is well worth the curve to learn it. Tale in the Desert sets the player in ancient Egypt as a peasant living in the world. There is no magic, no combat, and no mounts to save gold up for. Instead, the player will learn to collect resources and process them into usable material, build themselves a plot of land and take tests to obtain more skills.

As far as community interaction goes, Tale in the Desert is virtually unparalleled. For instance, several tests have you building art pieces and puzzles that must be voted on and solved by the community before you can pass. The community is small but extremely mature and willing to help.

ATITD carries a 20 hour (worth of game time) demo with no client price, the subscription is slightly cheaper than most other MMOs.