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God of War

(2005, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated M, Play it on: PlayStation 2)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Excellent game is dark, violent, and for adults.

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Not an issue.
  • Educational value:

    Players are likely to learn the names of some Greek gods, even though God of War takes some liberties with the mythology
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Kratos is an extremely complicated protagonist -- a power-hungry warrior cursed by memories of his brutality. His mixture of good and bad motivations may make him too complex for younger players to fully comprehend.
  • Role models:

    Kratos is a very violent character. He shows no restraint in executing innocents who are in his world.
  • Violence:

    Suicide, genocide, violence against women and children, rewards for killing innocents, and buckets of blood and gore. God of War has it all.
  • Sex:

    The game opens with Kratos kicking two naked women out of his bed after an implied group sex encounter. Also features a bevy of topless goddesses
  • Language:

    No obscenities during gameplay, but included "making of" video features some foul-mouthed game developers.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Empty wine jugs imply drinking, but no one actually shown drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of God of War was written by Aaron Lazenby

Parents need to know that this is an extremely violent game (cut scenes show severed and exploding heads, spears thrust through enemy throats, and buckets of blood). There are topless goddesses and an implied group sex scene. Also, the game centers around a complicated protagonist, a ruthless Spartan warrior haunted by his past actions.

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 whether Kratos's ends justify his vicious means. Do you agree with him, or is there something troubling about this view? He kills innocent people; is this ever an acceptable thing to do?
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More on God of War

What’s the Story?

In GOD OF WAR, players control Kratos, a warrior and commander of one of the most feared platoons of the Spartan army. He pledges allegiance to Ares, but is double-crossed -- and he vows to make Ares pay for the countless people he's killed in the god's name. Top-notch combat features dozens of special fighting moves and inventive magic skills allow players to turn enemies to stone with the power of the Gorgon or throw Zeus' lightening bolts. Puzzles require some inventive thinking, asking players to assess the environment for clues and solutions, and the platform elements require good timing and jumping skills to navigate creative settings like the Cliffs of Madness and the depths of Hades. Close

Is It Any Good?

Based on the library of Greek mythology, Sony's action platformer takes a really great idea and stretches it to its limits -- both in terms of high-quality gaming and stomach-turning violence. The result is a beautiful, compelling game that is, sadly, too graphic for even the most mature teens.

The game's creativity serves a dark, amoral hero who lives in a world of explosive gore and relentless brutality. The game shows no restraint when it comes to violence. Additionally, Kratos's total disregard for the innocents that share his world is very hard to accept, even though the game goes to great lengths to explain the reasons for his brutality. Add to that a casual sexual encounter with a pair of women and you have a game that's wholly inappropriate for kids.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 3/22/2005, price $44.95, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M

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Our Members Say

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See all 29 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue

    pice of crap

    hate it bloody gorey and sexual!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0

    Favorite Game

    First off I'm questioning why the children under my review say that it is for mid to late teens when they themselves are not even close to that age, i found that ironic. Anyways to the actual review. This game is easily one of the best games out there but heed the rating, this game is very gory and graphic for a ps2 game and honestly should not be played by anyone under 15 or 16. The killings are ruthless. Many of the younger players will also not be able to comprehend Kratos's character unlike the more mature gamers. Parents must honestly think before buying this game for their children as it is a very violent video game.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    A great, violent game.

    I'd reccomend this for older teens and maybe mid teens if not for the sexual part. Definitly for adults and 17 year olds.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    fun!

    Kind of bloody, not too rough on swearing, fun for people 15+

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0

    it was awesome!!!

    i thought this game was personally awesome but i thought it had a lot of blood and gore!and it had a sex mini game but you only see boobs.and there is no language if you don't watch the making of video.it is the best adventure game i've ever played.it's way better then britney spears blackout.buy if 17 or older.p.s. i like boobies. kiss kiss suck suck

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