Battlestar Galactica Online

Review

Common Sense Media says

TV-based sci-fi combat MMO is about blasting spaceships.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning1
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Battlestar Galactica Online is a massively multiplayer online space combat game with player versus player duels. There is no character combat, and hence no blood and gore. But the space vessel combat features lasers, missiles, and plenty of explosions. The game is browser based, free to play, and can be accessed from many different sites, including the SyFy channel site. There is an online store where kids could be tempted to spend real money.

  • Positive messages1
    The game is based on the television show and is about fighting for survival.
  • Positive role models2
    All characters are adults, and mission givers are strong leaders from the television show, such as Admiral Adama of the Colonials. Both sides are strong in their convictions and goals.
  • Ease of play3
    There is a bit of a learning curve as kids figure out how to maneuver their starships in space and learn the ship upgrade system. Otherwise, controls are simple and camera angles easily controlled with mouse and keyboard. Plus auto-targeting makes dog-fitting in space easier to win.
  • Violence3
    This is a space combat game with lasers and missiles, accompanied by graphical explosions and sound. However, it's all ship combat so although spaceships explode, there is no blood, gore, or depictions of characters' deaths. All ships respawn (reappear) after defeat.
  • Sex2
    All player characters are dressed in full uniform or are cyborgs. However, some female human characters (Captain Starbuck from the television show) can be seen in revealing tank tops.
  • Language1
    Text is all mission based and based on the television show, there is no troublesome language save for "frack." New human players are referred to by the mildly derogatory term "nugget."
  • Consumerism3
    The game is free to play but players will find easy access to the game store, which sells items for "cubits" as well as "tylium" -- both of which can be purchased for real cash.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety3
    Some privacy and safety concerns. There are no safety measures directed toward kids as this is a 13+ game. As with other MMO (massively multiplayer online) games, players do better when playing in groups. Player guilds and forums are available for players to chat on, and although not built into the game, many players use voice chat to coordinate battles. Kids could be communicating with strangers in these forums.
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What kids can learn

1

Battlestar Galactica Online was not created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading
  • Math
  • Science
    astronomy, motion
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
    cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

In BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ONLINE, both the Colonial (human) fleet and the Cylons find themselves lost and stranded in an unexplored area on the very edge of the galaxy. Racing to survive by searching out scarce resources, the Cylons and Colonial fleets are bent on destroying the other. The ultimate goal is the search for Earth, the legendary home of the 13th colony. The Cylons seek to destroy it, while the Colonials strive to preserve it.

Is it any good?

 

Battlestar Galactica Online is an action combat game rather than a role-playing game. Unlike many MMORPGs, the story is there only for background and setting, with the game being unashamedly a space shooter. Graphically, the game is beautiful and combat sounds add to the fun of space combat. There are two parts to the game: resource gathering (which can be mindlessly boring but encourages players to group in order to chat and also combine efforts) and the spaceship fighting (in which you can upgrade your ships for better fire power and durability). The space combat is fast and furious and with good teamwork, can be quite a kick. Unfortunately, players can't avoid the boring resource gathering unless players buy the upgrades with real cash. This can create an uneven playing field, but player skill still counts for more than good ships and weapons.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about games that are tied into television shows and how they can create interest and sales for both the game and the show. Did the television show make you interested in playing this game?

  • Online games such as Battlestar Galactica are time-intensive to play. Families might want to talk about setting time limits and playing responsibly, taking breaks, and balancing games with other activities. 

This review of Battlestar Galactica Online was written by

What kids can learn

1

Battlestar Galactica Online was not created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading:
  • Math:
  • Science: astronomy, motion
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: decision-making, strategy
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration: cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

In BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ONLINE, both the Colonial (human) fleet and the Cylons find themselves lost and stranded in an unexplored area on the very edge of the galaxy. Racing to survive by searching out scarce resources, the Cylons and Colonial fleets are bent on destroying the other. The ultimate goal is the search for Earth, the legendary home of the 13th colony. The Cylons seek to destroy it, while the Colonials strive to preserve it.

This review of Battlestar Galactica Online was written by

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Topics:space and aliens
Platforms:Windows, Mac
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Developer:Bigpoint
Release date:December 1, 2011
Price:Free / microtransactions
ESRB rating:NR for (Mac, Windows)
This review of Battlestar Galactica Online was written by

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