 | 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. |
Gears of War 3
- Xbox 360
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Third-person shooter
Common Sense Media says
Explosive, violent, and gory finale to the sci-fi series.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know GEARS OF WAR 3 is a very violent and gory third person shooter game. Players have access to a number of deadly weapons to kill aliens -- who explode into messy chunks -- plus there are other melee weapons like lances, chainsaws, and special suits that can decapitate and dismember at close range. There are rewards (24 of them) for creative kills and the option for dramatic and over-the-top finishing moves. Language is also very strong it this game. But parents should know both gore and strong language can be turned off in the Options screen.
What's it about?
The third and final game in the sci-fi trilogy, GEARS OF WAR 3 is once again a game of survival, as you play as Marcus Fenix, a beefy war hero with arms the size of tree trunks. Fenix is the leader of the Delta Squad, members of the diminishing "Coalition of Ordered Governments" ("COG") -- humankind's last hope from being obliterated by vicious aliens named Locusts. Without giving away much of the story –- which takes place 18 months after the events of Gears of War 2 -- there are many recurring characters from past games, new playable COG fighters, and a handful of plot twists and other surprises, too. Gears of War 3 is a "stop and pop" action game that has you taking cover behind objects while peeking around to take down numerous enemies with plenty of firepower. You can vault over objects, crawl, sprint, revive squadmates, and pick up ammo and other goodies. The single-player game can take between 15 and 20 hours to complete, plus there are many cooperative and competitive game modes that delivers a lot more content for mature Xbox 360 gamers.
Is it any good?
The good news for fans of the Gears of War series is this third installment is the best yet, with a compelling single-player campaign and plenty of multiplayer mayhem to indulge in online with friends. The bad news, however, is this new disc marks the conclusion of one of the most celebrated and successful Xbox 360 game franchise to date. Developer Epic Games did a "bag up" job with this frantic third-person shooter, but they didn't mess with the formula too much. The pacing of these missions feels great, weaving in story elements and short cut-scene sequences that give meaning to your actions. Plus, the graphics are stunning (despite some occasional frame rate hiccups when there's a lot of action onscreen). Levels are well-designed and enemy artificial intelligence (A.I.) is very smart. As with past games, expect many encounters with impressive (and massive) boss creatures that'll require brains and brawn to successfully take down with your team.
After you finish the game on one of the various difficulty levels (including Hardcore), you'll likely want to play it all over again in up to four-player co-op (cooperative). This way, everyone takes control over a different character in the Delta Squad. There are also many competitive multiplayer modes to indulge in over the Xbox Live service ($60/year). Five-player "Horde" mode, for example, pits you against wave after wave of Locusts creatures while "Beast" mode turns the tables and has you play as the Locust. "Versus" mode alone has 10 different multiplayer maps to try out. While Epic Games didn’t really add anything new to the gameplay, Gears of War 3 serves as an explosive conclusion to the best-selling series and will no doubt satiate both longtime fans and new players alike.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the impact of violence when playing video games.
Families can also talk about whether Epic Games, the developer of GEARS OF WAR 3, should've added more new features to this third and final game in the series or were they smart to keep the same gameplay and features for those who simply want more of the same? That is, the game doesn't veer away much from its predecessors, so will players be happy or disappointed about that?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Gears three: For better or worse?
This game is Gory and Violent, yes. But for someone like me, who has been watching movies such as Aliens on TNT and USA from age six upward, it doesn't come as anything of a surprise. I suppose you have to be well acquainted with Gore and violence to properly be able to enjoy the story without freaking out. I like the third one because it is more down to earth in terms of reality. The characters aren't gargantuan body-builder types anymore and the Locust don't spit so much red blood. It has more jump scare moments then true Slasher film Horror moments. Multiplayer is a concern, however. People of everything they can to sneak up on you and chainsaw you. However, this game does have a lot to offer and it should be checked out by parents, but only if the child in question is 15 or over.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
lock option
you can turn the gore and language in the option menu so it makes it more kid friendly.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
gears of death
I THINK ITS BAD BUT FOR MEN THE LIKE IT A LITTEL 9 YEAR OLD PLAYS IT AND WON IT ALSO WANTS TO BUY the 3 one
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Too dark for kids
The game is definitely not for kids. I tested the game at E3 and found that there is a part in the game where you can play the demonic alien creatures and kill humans. I find that a bit dark for some 8 year old to play. I think it says something about our culture; we really are surrounding ourselves with some really dark stuff.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
fact and fiction.
i think yes it is violent but kids nowadays know the difference between fact and fiction.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
October 11, 2011
AGE
don't do it if you no what's good for you!
disgusting game for 15+ NO LOWER ITS INTENSE,BLOODY AND GORY. GORIEST GAME OUT YET.NO OVER GAME IS MORE BLOODY(MAYBE GOD OF WAR IS OBOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF BLOOD......IF YOUR CHILD ASK FOR THIS SAY N.O WAY just don't if you no what's good for you.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great game 12+>
Great game,You can turn language and blood off in options so without the blood and gore it's just a t rated game.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Its not the game
When you go out to buy a game for your 10 year old kid dont think about the game but rather think of your kid, the game companies dont make games specifically to suit your kid it appeals to different audiences and if your kid is easily impressionable DO NOT let them play this simple as that in my opinion its a great game and somewhat does have a good story behind it and a good meaning. aside from the violence there is a lesson to be learned. if you look back in history, man has always been at war its in our blood but when a new threat/ locust come along man kind unifies under one government one army one society to eliminate this threat
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Very gory but very addictive
The gore is very bad, but you can tun it off. the language is very bad, but you can turn it off. By far the best gears made.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Over Rated
Over Rated anyone above 11 can play
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Platforms: | Xbox 360 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Third-person shooter |
| Developer: | Microsoft |
| Release date: | September 20, 2011 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Screenshots
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
