 | 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. |
Dead Island
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Ambitious zombie game loaded with violence, mature themes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Dead Island is a violent, open-world action game set in a remote island resort that has been overrun by zombies. Players move between enclaves of survivors, carrying out tasks and killing countless zombies in brutal, gory fashion along the way. Adult narrative elements, including alcohol, drugs, brief talk of sexual abuse, and strong profanity, validate the game’s Mature rating. Parents should also note that this game supports online cooperative play with open voice chat for up to four players. Common Sense Media does not recommend open online play for pre-teens.
What's it about?
DEAD ISLAND places players in the shoes of one of four survivors (players choose their protagonist at the game’s outset) who wake up after an evening of drunken high jinks at a remote island resort only to find the atoll swarming with zombies. After hooking up with a small group of survivors, it’s your job to head out into the undead apocalypse armed with whatever you can find -- knives, pipes, the fender of an old pick-up truck -- and carry out missions necessary to the group’s continued survival, such as finding keys, carrying messages, and looking for engine parts required to fix vehicles. The island is open to roam, which means players have free license to explore large swaths of the resort at their leisure, carrying out multiple tasks at once. You can even join up with other players online who are working on the same missions. As the game progresses, players earn points that can be applied to level up special skills, as well as upgrades that can be used to modify weapons.
Is it any good?
Zombie games are a dime a dozen these days, so it’s nice to see one that’s had a little thought put into it, even if it isn’t perfect. Dead Island takes a concept gamers are used to thinking of as global -- a zombie apocalypse -- and places it in a controlled microcosm in the form of a secluded island resort. However, thanks to the open nature of the environment, the game world still feels larger, more random, and, consequently, scarier and more realistic than most other games of its ilk. Add in a subtle leveling system, customizable weapons, and a clever drop-in cooperative system, and you have a zombie actioner unlike anything else available.
The graphics aren’t great, the controls are a bit touchy, and it can be pretty hard -- especially if you try to work through the entire campaign without enlisting the aid of other players online. That said, it’s one of those rare games that will stay with you, if not because of its horrific, overarching plot then because of its smaller, more affecting scares, such as watching helplessly as a descending plane radios for help before crashing into the jungle. Zombie fans won’t want to miss it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about violence in games. What markers do you look for in determining whether a game is too scary or violent for your kids? How can you determine what your kids are capable of handling?
Families can also discuss online play. Do you find you communicate differently with others when speaking to them online? Have you found that it’s easier for someone to be mean to someone else if they don’t know them, or if they can’t see or hear their reactions? How can these situations be avoided?
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AGE
Suitable for mature teenagers
Although this game is rated mature it is no worse than a game rated teen in terms of violence. Admittedly there is quite a bit of swearing involved but by the time kids are teenagers they are probably used to it. All in all I think that this game is suitable for teenagers who are mature and sensible.
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AGE
Perfect for ages 15 and1/2 +
This title is bloody, yes, however just the same bloodiness as L.A. Noire. Blood spurts on to the screen, however the is nothing major like bodys blowing into little pieces. Not nearly as violent as other mature rated games.(Killzone) There are several uses of language but once again not nearly as bad as Killzone or Dead space or L.A. Noire. The sexual themes are not as bad as you think. Also, there are use of alcohol throughout the game but I do not consider that a major factor. GREAT for those who love fantasy titles.
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AGE
Perfect for 13 and up, Good for mature twelve year old's.
Nice character's, not as much gore as I thought, less than Call of Duty Five, if you have played Nazi zombie's then this game is about as gory as that. Not gonna lie though is still a bit bloody, not much gore but a bit of blood.
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AGE
For sensible, mature twelve year's and over.
My son is twelve and he, me and all his friend's love this game! The characters all go out of their way in order to save lives, there is not that much gore compared to a lot of other M rated games. The language in it is only used when the character's are extremely scared and compared to 15 rated games there is less! This game is suitable for a 12 year old's and up, however only if they are sensible and don't use the language that they hear in the game. Great and fun game for online, some parents, like me, who enjoy games will find this entertaining to play and even watch!
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AGE
Beautifully written and designed game!
okay so i absolutely love this game.Im a bout 40 poercent through and it is magnificant and beautiful scenary as it is a resort town.Here is my assesment
Educational-not really except other cultures like indian hawaiian and others
positive messaged-I personally think it is full of positive messages and some very sad ones though as well.I am willing to not only admit i shead a tear in the game but also in the trailer.Might look it up on youtube to see how deep it is if you want.
good role models-The charecters you can play as have mostly noble stories and help many people out of kindness.
violence-pretty high but still i believe it isnt worse than some others
sexual content-some at the beggining about molestation and you see a female zombie handcuffed to a bed in lingerie and cameras littered around the room.She was obviously about to shoot an adult film but most suggestive thing ive seen also suggestive billboards
languige-yes
product placement-none
alchohol/drugs/smoking-all 3 but not in priotties just tpo ecieve health
overall i give this game in content rating a 9/10 I was thourally impressed.I suggest you go out and buy it for anyone.
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AGE
Amazing, but for the mature
Okay well this game is absolutely amazing!! great graphics and its not crazy hard but its not too easy a goo balance i love it and im and 14 year old girl, my friends are terrified of it so i would be careful, i mean it is a zombie game you should understand there is going to be a lot of violence and not the best language... but the game itself is amazing!
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Kid, 11 years old
September 15, 2011
AGE
gory and more goryness
not for kid (no go at all)it very gory.
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AGE
Dead Island
It is very gory but it has a positive message because you are trying to save innocent people from zombies.
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AGE
Good
I competed the game 100% with my friend and we had loads and loads of fun, Not as gory some would of thought and also the people you play as have stories of sadness but it soon come noble when they go out of their way to help others in need during this hellish outbreak of doom. Game is a A+ for me and should be played by mature players of 12 and up
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AGE
Great for older teens and adults
Although this a fantastic zombie RPG, no kid under 16 should play this game. It has pervasive language and A TON of gore. I mean I've played my fair share of gory games but this tops them all. Amazing game for older teens-adults.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Deep Silver |
| Release date: | September 6, 2011 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood and Gore; Drug Reference; Intense Violence; Sexual Themes; Strong Language; Use of Alcohol |
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