I'll confess that I haven't actually played this game. But it cracks me up that it is even reviewed here. What part of an M-rated game called "Narc" implies that it's at all meant for kids? Same with Grand Theft Auto and lots of stuff on here. If you need a website to tell you this game is inappropriate for your little angels than I suspect you need to brush up on your parenting skills. This site reminds me of the preachers who buy and read porno mags to "make sure" that they are showing naked girls. Yep -- them's naked girls, all right! Don't you dare look at these filthy magazines!
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NARC
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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
Boring GTA knockoff sets new depravity low.
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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What Parents Need to Know
This review of NARC was written by Matthew Pavao
Parents need to know that this game is truly for adults only -- and even then it's not much fun to play. The star rating given this game is based on quality of gameplay within this genre and not an endorsement of the violence in the game.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the controversy around this game and violent, gritty games in general. NARC has been banned in Australia; what do you think of that decision? Is that an infringement on free speech? Why or why not? The game makers defend the game saying that players have choices when faced with temptation. Do you think that's a fair argument? Games like GTA and NARC upset a lot of people; when would you say that the line has been crossed?
More on NARC
What’s the Story?
Based on an arcade classic from the late-'80s of the same name, the new version of NARC is nothing like its predecessor. Two big-city narcotics agents travel from the United States to China to stop the spread of a new street drug called Liquid Soul, negotiating their way through street pushers, prostitutes, and petty thugs. As the cops shoot their way through metropolitan locations in both countries, they struggle to stop the K.R.A.K. organization from spreading its new drug.
Players must decide when it's okay to cross lines of police decorum and the law. Behavioral slips could lead to a loss of "reputation points" and the officers could be pulled off the case or kicked off the force. Both detectives are asked to take bribes and use drugs: Players can choose the righteous path, but some drugs actually improve performance. Players can become addicted and go through withdrawal; players unable to get through withdrawal black out, losing all weapons or collected evidence.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Midway's NARC takes the shooter genre to a sad new low, introducing corrupt cops as the heroes and making drug use an essential part of their success. It has entertaining moments: The gun battles, though sad knockoffs of gunfights in past cop genre games, can get your blood pumping. The other plus is the soundtrack. Using classic crime movie themes like Curtis Mayfield's "Freddy's Dead" and "Pusherman," along with newer drug-based songs by Cypress Hill and DMX, the music is first-rate.
But not only is the game filled with unhealthy messages, it's pretty boring. The graphics are surprisingly average, with parts of the game too dark to see well, and players will be disappointed they can't explore more of the world here. The storyline is predictable, and gameplay seems like a bad Grand Theft Auto knockoff. The original version of the game is available here, but you have to unlock it.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 03/23/2005, price $19.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M
ESRB rating: M
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- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
Why is this even reviewed here?
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