Strong language and brutal violence, it's a solid game thats fun for blood and gore lovers and smart people. So why not buy it!
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Gears of War
(2006, Video Games - Third-person shooter, Rated M, Play it on: Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Hot sci-fi shooter for adults only.
In this game kids can: battle others, kill humans (with blood), kill non-humans (with blood), live vicariously
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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Online interaction:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Gears of War was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know that this action game is not for kids or tweens -- it's an "M"-rated military shooter that, while against aliens, is realistically violent and gory. Need an example? You can use a chainsaw to rip apart enemies or use machine guns to spray them down. The game has an online component; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under age 12.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why older kids might be attracted to this game. Is it the story? Graphics? Violence? Online play? Since the enemies are extraterrestrials -- essentially already dehumanized for you -- is it easier to get into the violence of the game? What if the enemies were human -- would it make a difference to you?
- What impact does playing a violent video game have on you?
More on Gears of War
What’s the Story?
Microsoft Game Studios' GEARS OF WAR is an action-heavy sci-fi shooter that places a heavy emphasis on using items for cover and exchanging blows with the vicious E.T. race known as the Locust Horde. Players assume the role of a beefy futuristic soldier in the effort to rid the world of nightmarish alien creatures through tactical warfare. Played from a third-person perspective, players must carefully assess areas for cover, find ammo, and take on the enemies until the coast is clear to continue to the next area.
Weapons range from pistols and shotguns to grenades, assault rifles, and the Hammer of Dawn, which communicates with a satellite that beams down a deadly laser strike that can level buildings. Taking cover is as easy as pressing the A button on the controller when near a solid object. Press the analog stick to the left or right and you'll peek around to assess the threat. Press A again to re-enter the freeform mode to walk, roll, and find another hiding place.
CloseIs It Any Good?
The game's strengths lie in the tense action, smart artificial intelligence, and multiplayer modes on the same television or via the Xbox Live online service ($50 a year). The game offers plenty of atmosphere, adding to the wonderful sense of anxiety and excitement. Gears of War is easily the best-looking Xbox 360 game to date thanks to photorealistic characters, detailed environments, and special effects.
A handful of head-to-head battle modes are included in the game, including Warzone, pitting humans versus the Locusts, and Assassination, where the goal is to kill the leader of the opposing team. Xbox 360 fans in search of a gorgeous but gory game combining tactical action with horror elements will love fighting though this challenging adventure. Play through the game once and it unlocks an incredibly difficult mode, with even meaner enemies.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 11/9/2006, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for blood and gore, intense violence, strong language)
ESRB rating: M (for blood and gore, intense violence, strong language)
Our Members Say
See all 110 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Why not buy, if your mature.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
its ok if ur mature
and carmine is cool until *sob*
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
its ok...
I agree with danielck its just like halo 1,2,3 (exluding its more violent and gory and realistic).good for kids my age if they can be mature not like the 8 year olds wear they swear online and we don't want them to go in public and say .."ok this is just like Gears of War, just shoot em a few times and they die". that's not good... I hope u learned ur lesson u 8 year olds...
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Good for teens and adults ( teens should at least turn of Language and Gore)
This game can easly become a T for teen game if you want this game offers parents to turn of gore, and language. But still be very cautious because if your kid plays this game it may corrupt him at least know that this is not any way to deal with problems.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
This game is just like Halo 1,2,3 and crysis other games are even worse like Quake 4 you see people folting cut in half and guts come out. So this game is T rating not M. Plus Carmine is way better than the others Carmine is a good role model
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 60% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 60% | of parents say it's too violent |
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