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Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, 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
Full-frontal male nudity shocks in hefty expansion with mature themes.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know this game GTA IV downloadable expansion is most definitely not for children, tweens, or teens (under the age of 17). It is even more controversial than its predecessors because this game has full frontal male nudity. The game lets you lead a life of crime as part of a motorcycle gang with plenty of gang violence (including pushing someone's face against a spinning mototcycle wheel in a bike repair shop), relentless foul language, drugs and alcohol, and sexual references. The star rating given to this game is based on quality of gameplay within this adult genre of video gaming and is not an endorsement of the violence within the game.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about why Rockstar likes to push the envelope and garner controversy over its games? Why did they have to put full-frontal nudity in the game if it's not integral to the story? Do they correlate media outrage with extraordinary game sales? Do players expect Rockstar to stir up controversy with each of its titles, including the Manhunt and Bully series? Families can also talk about the impact of video game violence on players and why so many parents question whether GTA games are appropriate for kids. On an unrelated note, should Rockstar make this game available to PlayStation 3 owners instead of delivering an Xbox 360 exclusive?
More on Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
What’s the Story?
Forget everything you know about downloadable content ("DLC") for your video games, such as extra songs, a bonus level, or a new multiplayer map. Rockstar Games' GRAND THEFT AUTO IV: THE LOST AND DAMNED (1600 Microsoft Points, or $19.99), the first of two planned episodes for Xbox 360 owners of Grand Theft Auto IV, redefines what's possible in DLC with the beefiest game expansion to date. But as with the main game, The Lost and Damned is laden with mature content and should be kept away -- far away -- from children.
Before we get to The Lost and Damned, a quick primer on the "GTA" games for the uninitiated: Gamers play as a member of the criminal underworld and can go virtually anywhere and do anything in a fully realized 3-D city with pedestrians, traffic, and storefronts. Played from a third-person perspective, this includes carjacking any vehicle, accepting run-and-gun missions (or racing-based objectives), interacting with seedy characters, and making money to fuel future endeavors. Last year's Grand Theft Auto IV, told the story of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant trying to make it on the streets in a fictitious metropolis known as Liberty City. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is a 1.78GB download -- via the Xbox Live online service -- that adds a ton of new content to the original game (GTA IV disc required) including a new storyline, characters, missions, vehicles, weapons, music, multiplayer modes, and other content (such as watchable TV shows inside the game). At the start of this expansion game we're introduced to our new protagonist, Johnny Klebitz, the "vice president" of a tough biker gang who not only must contend with foes in Liberty City (namely, other gangs and the cops) but also must cope with power struggles inside the gang, too -- as we learn from the opening cinematic sequence. The standalone story fits nicely alongside the original plot, and you'll intersect with Nico (both directly and indirectly) throughout this 10-hour adventure.
Is It Any Good?
Rather than tackle missions by yourself, this expansion is all about "gang banging" with your crew, such as riding (or racing) the streets in a pack and partaking in many gang wars together. The hogs handle nicely, so there shouldn't be a learning curve when it comes to the controls. As with past "GTA" games, The Lost and Damned can get quite violent, even from the first scene when someone's face is pressed against a spinning motorcycle wheel at a bike shop.
Along with the new single-player missions, the downloadable game offers many new multiplayer modes including the ability to smack opponents off their bikes while in a race to the finish line and a co-op mode where you can either protect a bus filled with informants or ride a hog as part of The Lost gang determined to destroy it and the snitches inside. Needless-to-say, the content is designed for a mature gamer and for someone who enjoys the virtual, visceral thrill offered by past "GTA" bad boy games. With this in mind, it truly is a fun ride worth considering.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 2/17/2009, price $19.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol)
Our Members Say
See all 23 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
gta loved
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
FOR TWEENS
Hey I dont know if you have played the game or not but the reviews you guys have are wrong!!!! There is no sexual content except ladies in bikinis. And Ive beat the whole game and there is only about 2 missions with drugs. I do agree with language. AND AGAIN: Its the players choice if they want to kill some one or do a mission I always TEST these types of games before my 11 and 12 year old playes it. I am a dad and i rate this from inapropriate content 3 OUT 10 This is for ages 11 and up!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
15+
violence, nudity, strong language, sexual content, alcohol usage
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
o.k
very fun game but not age aproprate for young teens under 13 maybe if they are matuare
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 67% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 33% | of parents feel the site is safe |
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