Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A gruesome but comical mature murder mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
What's It About?
DEAD HEAD FRED is a unique adventure because you step into the shoes of private eye Fred Neuman, who awakens at the beginning of the game to find out he has been murdered. Neuman has been brought back to life by a mad scientist, but his head is missing -- in its place is a jar full of fluid and his floating brain. And so Neuman goes on a mission to solve his own murder and get his head (and memory) back from those responsible for his death -- namely, a deranged mob boss and his mutant henchmen. To solve the mystery of his death, Neuman must use special powers associated with different \"heads\" he can put on, which are removed from enemies (it sounds gruesome, sure, but it's quite comical).
Is It Any Good?
Dead Head Fred is played from a third-person perspective and offers impressive camera controls and visual effects -- especially for a handheld game. The only problem, however, is frequent loading screens that can take away from the fun. These load times gets better once Neuman ventures outside for the first time. Overall, this mature game is bizarre, funny, and fresh.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this game is over-the-top in its violence and gore, coupled with a silly premise. Since this game is meant to be a comedy, would it have been as funny with less extreme violence, blood, and foul language? Did those aspects of the game contribute to the gameplay or the humor?
Game Details
- Platform : PSP
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : D3Publisher of America
- Release date : August 28, 2007
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : August 25, 2016
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