 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Black and White 2
- Windows
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Common Sense Media says
Teens: Skip this frustrating and limited sequel.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game allows players to win through either peaceful or violent methods. Battles can ensue, and players are allowed to crush, burn, and electrocute; they can also train their magical creature by hitting and slapping them. Some crude humor about defecation, a woman gives birth complete with sounds effects, etc. The game is far from historically accurate, but players will learn something about strategy.
What's it about?
As in the first game, players in BLACK AND WHITE 2 become gods, complete with all the responsibilities and powers. The opening sequence throws historical accuracy to the side showing Aztecs overrunning the players' people, the Greeks. Players must use their godly powers to restore their people to glory -- fighting additional forces such as the Norse and the Japanese along the way. Unlike most real-time strategy (RTS) games, the choice of being good and evil is central to the game: To be a good god, players build prestige, convincing rival cities to join them; alternately, players can assemble armies and take opposing by force.
At the start of the game, players choose a giant magical creature to help them rule. By either petting or hitting the creature during the game, players train the creature into a peaceful helper or a fierce fighter.
Is it any good?
Black and White 2 provides a fun premise and a unique concept, but it doesn't offer the kind of quality provided by the successful first installment. There are no enemy gods. Instead, the most powerful foe is the enemy's creature, which can be fairly easily dispatched. In fact, it is almost impossible to lose, with enemy AI barely more intelligent than the rocks players can use to crush armies.
The design is also bad: Menus are buried and controls are clumsy. Players may get frustrated performing simple tasks, like picking up an individual villager. Finally, replay is limited -- the game provides no multiplayer options. Also, only the nine campaign levels can be replayed, and once players complete the game, they don't have the option to go back to a particular level.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why game designers depend so heavily on sequels. Would you prefer to purchase a game that is completely new, or do you like to stick with games you are more familiar with? When do you think a sequel works, and when do you think it doesn't?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
February 6, 2011
AGE
Great game but because of sexual content, violence and negative themes, 12+
I think Black & White 2 is a brilliant game. You can create breeders who have children, and you can slap your creature which makes bruises appear. The only other concern I have is the fact that if you choose to be evil then it is a bad role model for young children and it sends the child negative messages. However if you are good then it sends positive messages and is a good role model. I can't compare it to the first Black & White because I've never played it but I think the second one is a very good game, just not appropriate for under 11s. I think this game works better if you are good.
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AGE
One of the greatest & most imaginative games to date
Although not as open-ended as the first, B&W2 is a must-have for all gamers.
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AGE
I liked it
It's good and challenging. For parents, the worst is the breeding aspect. The violence isn't graphic, but some of the characters can be killed in some obscene ways- thrown, burned, sacrificed, killed in battle, drowned, crushed, eaten; etc. You also have spells you can use on your enemies like shock, fire, water, etc. Or you can drop a fireball on your city just for fun, and watch the buildings burn and the people scream as they die from being on fire.
It's still fun, but you will be frusterated when things don't go according to plan. you can always take it out on an innocent villager if you wish.
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AGE
A decent game
This game has no blood, and isn't very violent (although you are able to kill people by throwing them in the sea and things like that).
there is suggestion of sexual themes in this game, but children who don't know about those sorts of things won't really know about/question what's going on
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| Platforms: | Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | October 4, 2005 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence |
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