Hello GanguEevee, thank you for the question. What counts as animal cruelty would be if the character is attacking innocent animals that aren’t harming anyone but the character attacks them and hurts them just because of the fun of it. A combat game is fine, there are cute animal games with combat mechanics and they aren’t animal cruelty. Mostly the game shouldn't promote harming animals as fun like a good thing since it’s not. Like if it’s a rpg combat game like Pokémon where cute animals fight, it’s alright since it doesn’t promote animal cruelty. (;w; well I think Pokémon is a cute wholesome game with no cruelty, I hope this example makes sense. Just don’t do something like that Pokémon rip off game that PETA made since that shows blood and is actually more of a cruelty game even though it’s trying to say Pokémon is all that stuff when Pokémon never showed blood or having the Pokémon look in pain ;D sorry for my random peta talk, just that game does more harm than good in my opinion ) ;w; hope these examples help.
ÓvÒ I hope this makes sense, if you still have a question feel free to ask. I hope you and your sister have a wonderful day.