I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT RULES THE WORLD. U SHOULD TOTALLY LET UR KIDS PLAY IT.
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Battlefield Heroes
(2009, Video Games - Third-person shooter, Rated T, Play it on: Windows)
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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 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Free-to-play online shooter is cartoonish but still violent.
In this game kids can: battle others, create an avatar, improve hand-eye coordination, kill humans (without blood), play in a virtual world, play multiplayer games, play with others, strategize
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
The good stuff
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Ease of play:
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Online interaction:
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Battlefield Heroes was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that this is a free downloadable third-person shooter for Windows PCs. The only obstacle placed before children trying to access the game is an “age gate” -- a dialogue box that simply asks players to enter their birth date (which can be easily fudged) before granting access to the software. This could be problematic, since it’s not a game for young kids. Though it has a cartoonish aesthetic and sense of humor that makes it seem less cold or brutal than many other military-themed shooters, players still spend most of their time using a wide variety of guns, explosives, and vehicles to kill enemies. There is no blood, but the violence is nearly constant. Note, too, that the game supports online text chat, which means players could be subjected to inappropriate language and messages.
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 how Battlefield Heroes’ cartoonish and light-hearted artistic design makes it feel less gritty than many other shooters, despite the fact that it shares the same basic objectives, mechanics, and controls as most games in its genre. Do you think graphics alone can have an impact on the age appropriateness of a game? Do you feel that this game has been properly rated by the ESRB?
- Families can also discuss the appeal of free-to-play games and the micro-transaction systems that typically go along with them. If you really enjoy a free game, are you more likely to spend money on virtual items? Do you feel like you are at a disadvantage without them? Did you feel the need to buy virtual items while playing Battlefield Heroes?
More on Battlefield Heroes
What’s the Story?
BATTLEFIELD HEROES is an online third-person shooter that has players creating a character, choosing weapons and abilities, and then venturing out into large maps filled with working vehicles and gun turrets. It has much in common with other games in the Battlefield series, right down to the core objective of capturing and holding strategic points of the map. That said, it has a sense of humor lacking from previous entries in the series. In fact, thanks to a cartoonish aesthetic -- complete with goofy character costumes and animations -- and some outlandish abilities, like being able to sit on the wing of a plane while it’s in flight, the action is sometimes downright light-hearted. This game has been released under EA’s new Play 4 Free business model, which means it is completely free; there are no registration or subscription fees. And while there is a store that sells virtual items such as equipment and clothing, players need not make any so-called “micro-transactions” to grow their characters and remain competitive in the game. Most of these items can be purchased with points earned simply by playing.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Even if it weren’t free, Battlefield Heroes would still be easy to recommend. From its impressive cel-shaded graphics to its surprisingly deep character customization options, it feels more professional and polished than many boxed retail games. Plus, it sports a decidedly light-hearted atmosphere -- a rarity for a military-themed game. That’s not to say that it’s a good choice for pre-teens -- players still spend much of their time engaged in activities such as shooting and driving over enemies -- but the Loony Tunes-ish vibe makes it a good choice for older players hankering to play a shooter without the blood and gore typically associated with the genre. The only real issues we encountered while playing were technical in nature. With over a million players currently slamming EA's Battlefield Heroes servers, it can be difficult to join a game. And even if you do manage to get in, play is often bogged down by excessive lag. However, assuming EA can remedy its server problems, this is one shooter worth checking out -- all the more because it doesn’t cost so much as a penny. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 6/20/2009, online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Violence, Tobacco Reference)
ESRB rating: T (for Violence, Tobacco Reference)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Extremely fun!
This is probably the most fun I've ever had online,it's fun cartoony action. Kind of like cartoons.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Too old for Toontown? Too young for Halo or CoD? Look no further!
Great game for kids who want to play shooters, but their parents are cautious. Cartoony war is unrealistic, and you can choose to play as good, though you can play as bad, though.
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