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Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure

(2006, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated M, Play it on: PlayStation 2)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Gritty, well-drawn graffiti game for adults.

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Beating up cops and security guards so you can spray paint on public property doesn't sound like model behavior. But you ultimately use graffiti in public spaces to speak out against political corruption and police brutality. Of course, vandalism=conscientious resistance is a hard sell, even if you appreciate the artistry of murals and wildstyle.
  • Violence:

    Enemies don't die, but you do beat them with your fists, wood planks, spiked bats, televisions, etc. Cut scene depicting main character's beat down at the hands of a rival gang is fairly brutal.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Standard issue street talk, studded with "f---" and the like.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure was written by Aaron Lazenby

Parents need to know that this game presents graffiti as street art, not street crime. The heroes are the graffiti crews who paint on public and private property while violently resisting police authority and the intrusion of rival artists. The language is strong, and the violence is consistent with the dark, back-alley settings: Players beat enemies with fists, wood planks, spiked bats, televisions, etc. The game promotes hip-hop fashion designer Mark Ecko, and features iPods.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about why a multimillionaire hip-hop fashion designer and other successful members of the hip-hop community committed their talents to a game about graffiti. Are they exploiting criminal behavior to sell their products (an argument often leveled at hip-hop culture)? Or are they showcasing -- through the use of real graffiti artists' voices and works -- a legitimate and marginalized mode of expression?
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More on Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure

What’s the Story?

In the controversial MARK ECKO'S GETTING UP: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE, players control Trane, a young resident of New Radius city looking to make a name for himself as a graffiti artist. He's discovered trying to "get up" and "go over" -- tag his name and paint graffiti over rivals' work with spray paint, stencils, stickers, and posters -- in an abandoned pool where graffiti legends ply their trade. After suffering a brutal beat-down at the hands of another crew, Trane embarks on a mission of revenge and establishes himself by crossing out the work of his adversaries. But as the oppressive regime of Mayor Sung cracks down on the youth culture and dissent, Trane joins forces with his enemies to disrupt the cruelty and corruption radiating from city hall.

The game mixes Prince of Persia-style climbing and stealth, crude combat sequences, and mission-based graffiti challenges.

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Is It Any Good?

The game benefits from obvious care from its developers. Top-notch voice acting talent includes notable stars such as rapper Talib Kweli, Brittany Murphy, Andy Dick, and renowned graffiti artists, and rap impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs lends his voice and handles the music direction. The beautiful environments feature notable graffiti artwork from known artists and the storyline is thoughtfully developed.

Getting Up is a genuinely fun game when placed in the right hands, but there certainly are plenty of reasons for parents to be concerned about the content. Mature players may appreciate the well-drawn world, and it may inspire them to consider complex issues ranging from freedom of expression to the commercialism of hip-hop culture. But this game is not for teens and tweens.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 5/3/2006, price $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Strong Language, Violence)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    GREAT

    This game is great! I dont know about all the language though. there is no blood and whenyou kill people thayjust dissipper. I think taht this games is very good but dont let little kids see oor hear the language.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 3.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 4.0

    THis game is trying to picture a ghetto life style.

    The game was at it's best an average game. The game has some issues with swearing and glorifying graffiti. This game did noy teach any one any thing but how to get in trouble. This game also did badly sales wise. The price went from $50 to $30, a big change for gamers.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    It was a good game. I would recomend it for kids 13+, only because of the language in the game. I gave it 4/5 stars for the language issue, and because the graphics stunk.

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