God of War (M)
Excellent game is dark, violent, and for adults.
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- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Genre: Video Games - Action/Adventure
- Release Date: 03/22/2005
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2
- ESRB Rating: M
- Price: $44.95
Parents need to know
Families can talk about whether Kratos's ends justify his vicious means. Do you agree with him, or is there something troubling about this view? He kills innocent people; is this ever an acceptable thing to do?
Message
Social Behavior:
Kratos is an extremely complicated protagonist -- a power-hungry warrior cursed by memories of his brutality. His mixture of good and bad motivations may make him too complex for younger players to fully comprehend.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Empty wine jugs imply drinking, but no one actually shown drinking.
Educational Value:
Players are likely to learn the names of some Greek gods, even though God of War takes some liberties with the mythology
Violence
Suicide, genocide, violence against women and children, rewards for killing innocents, and buckets of blood and gore. God of War has it all.
Sex
The game opens with Kratos kicking two naked women out of his bed after an implied group sex encounter. Also features a bevy of topless goddesses
Language
No obscenities during gameplay, but included "making of" video features some foul-mouthed game developers.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Aaron Lazenby
Is it any good?
Based on the library of Greek mythology, Sony's action platformer takes a really great idea and stretches it to its limits -- both in terms of high-quality gaming and stomach-turning violence. The result is a beautiful, compelling game that is, sadly, too graphic for even the most mature teens.
The game's creativity serves a dark, amoral hero who lives in a world of explosive gore and relentless brutality. The game shows no restraint when it comes to violence. Additionally, Kratos's total disregard for the innocents that share his world is very hard to accept, even though the game goes to great lengths to explain the reasons for his brutality. Add to that a casual sexual encounter with a pair of women and you have a game that's wholly inappropriate for kids.
How to play
- Playability: Medium – Enemies can be tricky to defeat and the variety attack options can get confusing, but God Of War doesn't take too much getting used to.
- Graphics: High – Expansive, mythic vistas and Herculean detail make GoW's graphics a sight to behold. One of the best looking games available today.
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Parents and kids say
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