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Mercenaries
(2005, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 2)
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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 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Killing-for-profit game definitely isn't for kids.
Why We Rated This 
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
This review of Mercenaries was written by Matthew Pavao
Parents need to know that death and destruction are constant in this game. The violence is very real and bodies go flying, although there's little blood. Playing as killers for hire, players jack cars, take hostages, and mow down enemies for profit, not any noble cause.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the plot points and themes, especially those that are grounded in the real world. For example: Why are the North Koreans the enemy in this game? Why are mercenaries used in war? Is it ever ethical to be a mercenary -- or to hire one?
More on Mercenaries
What’s the Story?
MERCENARIES follows the ExOps, a group of mercenaries looking to capitalize financially on a Korean conflict. You must guide the mercenary you have chosen to stop the new North Korean leaders before they amass a nuclear arsenal. Each enemy has been paired with a playing card to designate his importance. The mercenary goes through a deck of 52 enemies; the goal is to get to the Ace of Spades, Gen. Choi Song.
While hunting for the Ace of Spades, the mercenary has the option of running missions for the other factions located in the demilitarized zone. These missions can be for cash to purchase other useful items, such as cars and weapons, from the black market, or to keep interested groups in the area satisfied. Winning the favor of the Russian Mafia, the Chinese government, the North Koreans, and the Allied Forces, all of whom occupy some space in the DMZ, is of utmost importance to succeed.
CloseIs It Any Good?
The strength of this game comes from the realism of its battle scenes. Whether sneaking through a North Korean camp to take out a signal jamming device, or using C4 explosives to take out a whole building, players will find their adrenaline pumping. These realistic battle scenes can become a little too real for younger players. While the amount of blood and guts in the game is a minimum, the death and destruction is constant, and there is enough authentic violence to warrant a 17+ rating.
Even for older players, the destruction of the game eventually grows stale. There's hardly any character development and the storyline doesn't even rip off a war movie, which would at least give it a little depth. The soundtrack is boring, and it takes a ridiculously long time to get to missions. Overall, mature players will find the realistic battle scenes and complicated missions entertaining enough, but younger players should stay far, far away.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 01/12/2005, price $45.95, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T
ESRB rating: T
Our Members Say
See all 27 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
pretty bad for T ....
Well the first is a little worst than the #2 but its a pretty bad teen game becase its a free lace game just like grand theft auto but your in north korea and just like grand theft auto you can hijack cars helicopters and any thing you want, and you can kill anyone you want any civilians,gangsters,mobsters,soldiers or you can blow up any buildings you want. you can also work for the russian mob,or china,south korea or americans just like grand theft working for differnt gangs, also there is very little blood but constant explosions and killing pepole you probobly kill over 200k pepole plus throw the game and the language is pretty mild the worst it gets is s--t i think but for sex theres no problem drugs nope but the main thing is your getting payed to kill pepole..
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
This Game Is Fantastic And Fun Like Crazy!
How did this get 17+???? Just look at mercenaires 2 review! ITS 14+!!! And the second one is even worse than the first one. In the second one you can throw a gennade in a tank hole and a guy will scream in pain when in explodes but that doesnt happen in the first one!
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Key Word: CHOICE
For those of you parents out there, this game isn't what you'd think. CSM rates the violence and message at the red level. Also, on extremely bloody and terrible games, they have given them the red. There is a reason this game was rated T. There is no blood, just constant shooting. The events result because of your actions. You must choose between different factions. Sometimes you must do dirty work for them against other friendly factions. You have the choice to become friends with other factions, but you must stay friendly to the Americans. Yes, you are paid for the things you destroy and the people you kill or take into custody. You can hijack cars from just about anyone. You can destroy anything and kill anything. The thing is, if you kill a friendly or civilian, you lose your cash. To sum up, this game is rated T and should still be treated that way. The whole game basically revolves around choice and what actions you take. Don't shut this game out. There are plenty of games that are worse than this.
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
A grate game for kids over the age of 16
a strong game with alot of violance for profit an sweet game when you get passed the anomated violance. its fun to pass time and an easey one to play.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 100% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 100% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 100% | of parents say they notice product placement |
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For Your Family
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