Tools for this page
Print

Call of Duty: World at War

  • 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?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intense first-person shooter captures brutality of WWII.

updated 11.16.08

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    While brutal, the game serves as an inside look at some of the key battles during World War II.
  • Messages:

    You play as a soldier during World War II combat missions.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Players use weapons like assault rifles, machine guns, grenades, and flamethrowers to kill enemies. You can also slash enemies with a knife or stab them with bayonettes. Plenty of blood is shown, some in slow-motion. With the flamethrower, you will view foes being burned alive and hear their screams. Also, when witnessing explosions, you will encounter bodies with limbs blown off.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Cussing is heard including "s--t," "f--K" and "bastard." Players may encounter more filthy language when online.
  • Consumerism:

    This is part of the Call of Duty franchise of video games from Activision.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Call of Duty: World at War

Parents need to know that this is a grisly shooter based on World War II. Players can kill enemy forces with guns, grenades, rocket launchers, and flamethrowers. Besides seeing lots of blood, players will witness enemies writhing as they are burned alive or losing limbs in explosions. Players will also see bodies strewn across the various battlefields and experience realistic sounds of agony. Profanity is also heard. The game is playable online, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend for children under the age of 12, and colorful language will most likely be heard there as well. An unlockable zombie mode features hordes of Nazi zombies that need to be killed.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about video games based on historical events. Is this a good way to learn the perils of war? Are there other ways video games can teach historical events like World War II?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Do You Play It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Call of Duty: World at War?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 83 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    fantastic game!

    this game is great. violence is bloody and limbs can be blown off by grenades and certain guns but there is a graphic content filter. it also stops certain words and scenes. the language is not too bad. there are maybe 5 or 6 f-words in the campaign and s-words and d-words. online you can play as the marine raiders and sometimes when you win your commander will say "outstanding marines. out-f---ing-standing." i dont listen to players online but im pretty sure they cuss a good deal. also the role models in the campaign are really good because many soldiers will give their life for their country and do not care if they die.

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

    good for 13 and up

    i love it it is my favorite game ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Easy to play

    Realistic and enjoyable

    Bloody, gory, and violent, but a thoroughly enjoyable game. Realistic battles take place in areas such as Berlin, Peleliu and Japan. Snipers take heads off, grenades send limbs spinning, and soldiers commonly drop the F-Bomb, so this isn't a game for youngsters.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Strictly for teens

    The last COD shouldn't have been T. But this one deserves it's m-rating. I own it and it has TONS of violence and very relistic gore. Plus there are plenty of f-bombs. I sometimes feel guilty owning it. But otherwise it an incredible game

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue

    14+

    violence is a mild concern since you can see some gore but not alot. nothing yuo wouldnt see in tv14 movie edits. it is set in the heat of battle in WWII so it is pretty educational. and dont say there isnt any positive role models in this! these are the heroes that fought for our country! very good game for 14+ If you want a less violent game, I'd consider call of duty 4 modern warfare it is less violent yet more intense and fun.

Find games reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    KidZui

    KidZui

    Kids' browser features prescreened, safe sites.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Cheating Via Chat?

    Is it OK for kids to do homework on Facebook?

  • Tech Tip

    A how-to guide for parents. Google Safe Search

    A how-to guide for parents.

  • Most Popular This Week

    Pixar Favorites

    Pixar Favorites

    If your kids are excited for Up, they'll love these!

  • Game of the Week

    inFAMOUS

    inFAMOUS

    How you play superhuman adventure results in fame or infamy.