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Halo 3
(2007, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated M, Play it on: Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Well-made series final too violent for kids.
updated 02.11.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Halo 3
Parents need to know that this adult game has been hyped by a massive advertising campaign that extends to normally kid-friendly establishments like Burger King and 7-Eleven. But the ESRB gave this first-person shooter game a "Mature" rating for violence for good reason. Throughout the game, players shoot aliens and humans using a variety of weaponry, and they'll see vivid images with blood. And know that when the Halo games are played online, players can communicate -- and curse -- via headsets.
Read our full review by Marc Saltzman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what makes the Halo games so popular. How are they different than other sci-fi shooters? For kids who want to play but have parents who put their foot down: What made you want to play this game? Why do you think Burger King and Mountain Dew helped tell kids about the game when the rating isn't T for "Teen" or E for "Everyone"?
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Our Members Say
See all 253 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
8
- Lives in Virginia
- Lives in GeorgiaI rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
For 10+
Look I've seen and own much worse m games. But I really think this should be for 10 and up. There is very little language. mild violence and the blood is PURPLE.
- Lives in TexasI rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
It almost appears that Marc did not play Halo 3 at all, or at best is extremely unobservant
While reading the "What parents need to know" (I am currently trying to find a good reviewing site for games and movies I have not played) section of the review on Halo 3 it struck me that Marc was very wrong on a few points, and this may cause kids to miss out. First, Marc said: "Throughout the game, players shoot aliens AND HUMANS. You DO NOT shoot humans* in the campaign. It is possible, but if you do the marines attack you, as you are not supposed to attack them. ...and they'll see vivid images with blood. While playing campaign on Halo, if you shoot an alien, there is blood. Blue/Green blood, and that actually doesn't just pour out after you finish shooting. Also, there is zero dismembering/actual damage to dead bodies. And know that when the Halo games are played online, players can communicate -- and curse -- via headsets. Depending on your gamer zone on xbox live, there is generally very little swearing. But, if you so wish you may mute players (only to yourself) in games, or simply plug in a headset and turn the speech volume off. *Actually, in multiplayer, you do by default play as a human (albeit, a human in a suit that you only know is a human, there is no face, just metal) but if you so wish you can turn into one of the aliens (Sangheili, or Elites to be exact, the Arbiter is an example of this species, they have defected to humanities side) and fight that way. For overprotective parents who fear xbox live like a dangerous animal, you do not have to play on xbox live to play multiplayer, or the game at all. Also, as long as your child does not act stupid, no one will ever be able to access their real name, location, phone number, email address (phone number and email are needed to register for xbox live, but are not shown to the public) or even what they sound like. If you seriously look at the characters of Halo 3, you will find numerous good role models. Even John 117, Master Chief Petty officer, the soldier whose face is never shown, is extremely dedicated to the service of humanity. He is courteous, and many times goes out of his way and puts himself in danger to rescue his friends, in particular Sergeant Johnson. Parents, almost every concern you have about Halo 3 will be dispelled upon actually investigating by playing the game and reading about it yourself. If it weren't for a very few uses of b***ard and b**ch Halo 3 would be rated teen.
- Lives in TexasI rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
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Our Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 75% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 75% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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