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Dead Head Fred

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A gruesome but comical mature murder mystery.

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Quite graphic, as players rip heads off enemies; blood spurts out and the bodies fall to the ground.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Many instances of swearing, including frequent uses of "f--k."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    You can consume alcohol in the game, which impairs your vision and actions.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Dead Head Fred was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know that this game earns its M-rating by requiring your character to rip heads off of mutated bodies and place them on your own headless dead body -- you can also set the other mutated bodies on fire. The game is quite graphic, showing bloody body parts throughout a mad scientist's facilities. This is a mystery about why your character died, and you must find and put on nine dead heads. It's a bizarre premise, with gruesome details including blood spurting out of bodies, but it's meant to be comical for mature players.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about how this game is over-the-top in its violence and gore, coupled with a silly premise. Since this game is meant to be a comedy, would it have been as funny with less extreme violence, blood, and foul language? Did those aspects of the game contribute to the gameplay or the humor?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Dead Head Fred

What’s the Story?

DEAD HEAD FRED is a unique adventure because you step into the shoes of private eye Fred Neuman, who awakens at the beginning of the game to find out he has been murdered. Neuman has been brought back to life by a mad scientist, but his head is missing -- in its place is a jar full of fluid and his floating brain. And so Neuman goes on a mission to solve his own murder and get his head (and memory) back from those responsible for his death -- namely, a deranged mob boss and his mutant henchmen. To solve the mystery of his death, Neuman must use special powers associated with different "heads" he can put on, which are removed from enemies (it sounds gruesome, sure, but it's quite comical).

Is It Any Good?

Dead Head Fred is played from a third-person perspective and offers impressive camera controls and visual effects -- especially for a handheld game. The only problem, however, is frequent loading screens that can take away from the fun. These load times gets better once Neuman ventures outside for the first time. Overall, this mature game is bizarre, funny, and fresh.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: D3Publisher of America
Released on: 8/28/2007, Price: $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: M for blood and gore, intense violence, mature humor, strong language

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 9
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Safety is an issue

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