Good role models but bad messages, you get the idea that bloody murder and stealing is the way to stop the bad guys. But the game is super fun!
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Crackdown
(2007, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated M, Play it on: Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Grand Theft Auto-type game on steroids.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Sex:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Crackdown was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know this video game is laden with inappropriate content for kids. It earns a "Mature" rating for its intense violence, blood, and gore, and the ability to shoot or drive over whomever you like or throw them off ledges. Some may be offended by the stereotypical rival gangs -- there are Latino, Eastern European, and Asian organizations. Swearing includes "s--t," spewed by pedestrians you almost run over, and some displays of the middle finger. Characters use drugs, and the streets are full of prostitutes. The game offers online play.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about why these kinds of open-ended "sandbox" games are so appealing and how this game differs from the Grand Theft Auto titles. Do you like that you are an agent instead of a criminal? Do your agent's superpowers make the world he works in seem less real?
More on Crackdown
What’s the Story?
Because of its explosive weapons, superhero-like powers and enormous 3-D city, CRACKDOWN can best be described as Grand Theft Auto (GTA) on steroids -- except now you're a genetically enhanced agent instead of a criminal. Sure, you can still carjack vehicles, shoot down gang members, and take on dozens of non-linear missions -- but you're discouraged from abusing your power, such as driving over innocent pedestrians. After you select from one of the available agents at the beginning of the game, and then choose your first vehicle in the Agency garage, you're introduced to the story surrounding three rival gangs who have turned Pacific City into an urban battleground. You also learn about the game's role-playing level-up feature that lets your character upgrade skills in five categories: agility, driving, explosives, strength, and weapons.
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Is It Any Good?
Played from a third-person perspective, the game resembles a colorful graphic novel with its "cel-shaded" visual style. And more so than in GTA games, the Pacific City in Crackdown is quite vertical, so you will be able to climb, hang from, and scale walls, ledges, and boulders in order to best explore this huge city and perform the various missions. More than 100 licensed songs and surround-sound add to the overall immersion factor.
Have a friend on the Xbox Live network? Gamers can play online in an optional cooperative mode, allowing two agents on the scene at the same time.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 02/20/2007, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language, use of drugs)
ESRB rating: M (for blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language, use of drugs)
Our Members Say
See all 39 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
excellent game, very explict though.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
cant trust this site.
ok its not that bad! i hate this site i can never trust it. there are prostitutes but they dont look bad. any of the cut scenes you can skip, and the violence isnt gory at all
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Not that bad
This site is a joke they overrate everything!
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Yep
This site is definitely a joke.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
HELP!!!
my mom is being totally unfair... she wont even let me talk about the game! i have fallout 3, gears 1 and 2, and halo. IS THIS GAME REALLY THAT BAD?!?!?!?!?!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say they notice product placement |
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