God of War III (PlayStation 3)
common sense media says
Fantasy brawler features extreme, visceral violence and sex.
parents & educators say
- 68% say violence is an issue
- 68% say sexual content is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that God of War III is a breath-takingly violent and gory action game. In fact, it's one of the most violent videogames we have ever reviewed. Where some parents allow teens to play M-rated games, this is one that we do not recommend at all in any way for teens. As with its predecessors, you play as Kratos who uses all kinds of weapons to destroy creatures big and small in a number of creatively violent ways, such as pulling out eyes and slicing open bellies to spill innards across the ground. Kratos can use his chained, wrist-mounted blades to chop his enemies, as well as a bow, magic, or fists to snap the necks of creatures. Blood sprays out of enemies' wounds, limbs and heads can be torn off, and creatures cry in pain. Mythological beasts make up most of Kratos' victims, but he also kills humans (on purpose or by accident) as well as gods in human form. The game also has a sex-based mini-game, scores of bare-breasted women and female creatures, and some strong profanity.
Educational value:
Not applicable.
Positive role models:
Kratos, the main protagonist in the game, is not a good role model because he uses brute violence to exact revenge. The game isn't about talking issues through, it's about slicing away at creatures into bloody bits so Kratos can move onto the next location. However, he does manage to find some small bit of compassion within himself at the end. It doesn't make up for all of his previous actions, but it shows he hasn't lost all of his humanity.
Ease of play:
As with past games in this series, Kratos is easy to control using the PS3 controller. That, and if you die multiple times, the game asks if you'd like to try an easier difficulty level. While some creatures take some practice to destroy, the game is quite easy to play -- especially for seasoned gamers.
Violence:
Gameplay is composed primarily of extreme violence. Kratos uses swinging chain blades, swords, claws, and mallet-like fists to slice, dice, and pound his enemies, sometimes dismembering their limbs or decapitating them in the process. He also uses his bare hands to kill enemies, crushing their skulls and ramming heads into walls. Examples of some more extreme scenes of violence include: repeatedly punching an enemy's face until it is completely caved in, ripping a character's head off with his hands, gutting a creature to let its innards spill over the ground, and pulling out enemy eyes. In one scene the perspective shifts to that of a god Kratos is killing, forcing the player to watch from a first-person point of view as Kratos beats and eventually blinds him -- very disturbing. All kills are depicted with plenty of blood. Some larger "boss" creatures shriek in pain while they're being killed. While our primary foes are mythological, players will also kill many humans, on purpose or by accident, as well as several gods in human form.
Sex:
As with the previous God of War games, this sequel features many topless women and female creatures. There is also an off-screen mini-game that has Kratos pleasuring women. The player must press the correct button at the right time (based on onscreen instructions) to bring the women to orgasm. Note: the game doesn't show the act but the sounds imply sexual intercourse.
Language:
The disc includes some unlockable behind-the-scenes material in which people use words including "f--k" and "s--t." These words aren't heard during the game itself. Other profanity is audible, however, including "damn," "hell" and "bitch."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on God of War III
Screenshots
Review It
Based on 19 parent & educator reviews:
- 68% say violence is an issue
- 68% say sexual content is an issue
- 26% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
Jaliximorph
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
GOW3
I have never played Any of the god of war series (Dont have a sony console) But i have once wanted revenge myself but i never took it this far lol, Kratos is a spartan, Cursed by the gods to relive his worst memories at a constant rate (Eg murder of his famliy by accident) And then killed and sent to hades by his own father, I mean come on parents!, Who wouldnt be upset, Sure this game is violent, I have an attraction to extreme violence, but im not desensitized, I can just handle it, Personally i wish i could do what Kratos did to half the gods to people i hate, But i cant, Dont know why adults get so freaking upset about a darn game, Im not a mass-murderer because of this game, So get over it, (Educational because it tells you names of cirtain mythological creatures)
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haloodst
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
my friend is 12 and he has it i say let us 13 year old play
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movie dude
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
best game ever!!!!!
awsome!!!!!!!!!! really violent and a tiny bit of sex. the only sexual part is when the dude goes other and does something 2 the women u dont c it just hear it. u see the vase shaking because of the sex but not bad. sex:2/5 violence 5/5 language:Pg-13 i think the fast and the furious has more sexual stuff
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ipodfan2000
parent of 14 year old
parent of 14 year old
God Of War III- Inapropiate or Worse
God of War features many violent scenes such as using your bear hands to literally ripping off a man's head, getting points of making a blood bath out of killing innocents, stabbing and killing birds you can fly on and many others. Like ALL of the "God Of War" games they let you decide if you would like to have intercourse with women ( plus the fact that half the women and enemies in it are topless). Kratos is a TERRIBLE role model because the whole reason of PlayStation creating the game is so the main character can have revenge to Zeus. We should be teaching our children to solve problems through violence and getting even but telling them to solve through words and acts of kindness. If you want my advise I say stick to Teen ratings or stay away from God Of War.
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lisen to me
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
its just iffy
this game is ok but not one of my favorites yes there is a lot nudity but its during ancient greek times so maybe cothing wasent a big deal back then and some of the violents is a little to much
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Ghost Rider Sky
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
the only bad thing about god of war 3 is that you kill villagers .
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NonChalantGamer
adult
adult
I believe unlike the review God of War 3 does carry a message.. if you are one of those few who has played all 3 games plus the PSP extension you will know that Kratos is presented like a classic Greek hero.. with Hubris and Hamartia. Ergo It is written off from the start as a Greek tragedy.
At the end Kratos's final act redeems him of his nightmares and it salvates mankind by giving them hope but it questions whether vengeance is truly worth it? It should teach people (as i extracted from it) a question of revenge.. whether in fact is it worth at the cost of total catastrophe? It also presents the age old satire of the cycle of Violence and how an act which starts it will be the act which ends it. I think the representation of women in this game is accurate to Greek mythology, most statues or visual representation that we see in books of greek women are usually naked so its nothing but a hats off to the developers for keeping their source material in mind when making the game.
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Jesusrulz666
parent of 18 year old
parent of 18 year old
Blood Heaven
Non-stop nudity, sexual content, bloody, gory, grisly, spurting violence happens. To the point that if you collected how many people die in this game, you'll get a hell of a lot of jars to fill up the bodies. But this game is beautiful, and has great controls, game play, graphics, directions, and workmanship. 9/10.
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arhudson0405
parent of 10 and 12 year old
parent of 10 and 12 year old
Sorry, for the young at heart only.
I bought the game for myself personally. It was something to do late at night while the kids were in bed and to tire my over active brain out to sleep myself. I enjoyed the game, if one can get over the sex and violence then it is an interesting ending to a huge storyline.
It my open doors to discuss ancient gods/goddess of the Greek time period, which is a big push in its favor. I was able to tell my kids an edited version of the plot the next day. We also looked at the myths online. So it did help open up communication between my boys and I.
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defaultuser
adult
adult
If you've taught your kids the difference between the real world and the digital world, it's fine.
If your child has been taught the difference between fantasy and reality, there really isn't an issue. They see things as violent as GOWIII on cartoons all the time. The only part of the game I won't let my children watch is the sex minigame.
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nicolasconnault
parent
parent
Should be rated R. Actually, no it should be banned completely. The twisted minds that created this game should be locked up in an asylum, it's absolutely outrageous that games like this are allowed to be produced and aimed at young people. It completely alters their perception of the real world, desensitises them to violence and sex, and makes them less able to feel compassion for others.
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XeNo123
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Lies Lies and more lies
Positive role model: I don't mean to say anything offencive, just want to make this clear.Kratos's main goal is to kill the gods at what ever cost now he is not doing it to fight for another religion or because he has converted to some other religion but the Greek gods are conciderd PEGAN and if you follow Islam or Christanity you can go on the adgenda that you are fighting for Allah, Christ or what ever other diety you follow. agian not trying to be offencive.
Violience: If you let your kids play Darksiders you should let your kids play this, both games let you take down creatures with a verrity of weapons and powers. oh and the head ripping, arm and leg sevvering only lasts like 2 seconds same with the blood it dosen't even pool or stain the walls.
Sexual content: Yes there are a lot of instences ware there are brestes showing up on monsters and the goddes aphrodite and her handmaids but the sex mini game is optional, you move on either way and the area is totally avoidable the only reason I would go there is to get the stuff around her bed including one of her garters witch gives you some upgrade. any way game is no ware as bad as they say it is just look up gameplay on youtube and see for your self oh by the way there is going to be no video ware the pig playing dosen't skip doin it with aphrodite so yeah
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Mafiapoptart
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Iffy for 16
God of war 3 is very violent. Every weapon in the game causes blood and gore. And when fighting bosses you can finish them off with very gruesome moves. There is also a sex mini game that is pretty inappropriate, but I thinks its avoidable. But no matter what there is quite a bit of nudity in the game, weather your fighting or just roaming. It really depends on how mature your kid is.
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TheVeryCherryPie
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
honestly its not healthy for anyone
to all the kids out there that are saying this game is fine, that is a flat out lie. I don't know what you are trying to accomplish but this game is one of the most violent games ever made and its full of boobs and sex. Parents, please don't buy this for your kids!
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ssrex
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
More violent than the first 2.
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Ignis Graecus
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Wow, this game got a little...gross at times.
This is about three times more violent than the first two, but still awesome, though I wouldn't want anyone below the age of ten playing this, since the Hercules fight got a little graphic at the end.
The biggest problem I had was the Aphrodite chamber, which I refused to even play and my dad passed for my siblings and I. It was an necessary attachment to satisfy the sadist players and fans.
Other than screening the chamber, everything else is peachy clean.
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williamtimothy
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Very goood game best game I"ve ever played on the ps3 the graphics are AMAZING if you are looking for a great action game and LOVE Greek mythology this is the game for YOU! but the violence is very gory and disturbing the sex in it is countless topless women those are my main concerns but the language is on the unlockable bonus videos and no one ever looks at those and if you're kid is in middle or high school they hear those words countless times every day
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trollface200
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
The Truth about God of War III
I think all kids know about the differance between reality and digital games. If you've taught your kids about this differance than they should be able to handle this game. It is very gory and bloody by the way.
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