 | 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. |
Halo: Reach
- Xbox 360
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: First Person Shooter
Common Sense Media says
Conclusion to violent sci-fi shooter for older teens only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Halo: Reach is a sci-fi-themed first-person shooter. Unlike other popular first-person shooters that strive for hyper-realistic action, the violence depicted in this game is more fantastical; player aggression is directed at exotic looking aliens that bleed blue, purple, and green. Note, though, that online play sees human avatars fighting other human avatars, and that our characters leave bloody red patches on the ground and walls when shot. Also, online play supports non-moderated voice communication, leaving the door open for players to share personal information and be exposed to inappropriate or offensive language and ideas.
What's it about?
HALO: REACH, developer Bungie’s final game in the franchise it founded, takes place on the planet Reach, a key human colony that is under attack by the genocidal Covenant, mankind’s alien nemesis. It’s the birthplace of a military initiative that saw the development of a handful of biologically modified soldiers, the Spartans. Master Chief, hero of previous Halos, is the most famous graduate of this program, but he’s nowhere to be seen in Halo: Reach. Instead, the narrative follows the exploits of Noble Team -- players assume the role of Noble Six -- a squad of Spartans fighting to save the planet. But it’s a losing battle. As anyone who follows Halo lore knows, Reach is destined for destruction, and players witness a steady stream of epic and personal tragedies as the planet slowly falls to its alien invaders. Indeed, Reach is the darkest game in the series. Happily, the dark vibe lifts once players move online and begin exploring Reach’s rich array of multiplayer options that encourage group and team play that takes place under decidedly less ominous circumstances than the story.
Is it any good?
Reach’s story shares many of the strengths (dynamic combat dialogue, constant sense of urgency) and weaknesses (simplistic plot, feeble character development) of its numbered forebears, but its dark atmosphere immerses players in a way that feels new to the franchise. Play, on the other hand, remains strikingly similar to other Halo games. Like its predecessors, Reach is a twitchy game that rewards players who stay on the move and make split-second, heat-of-battle decisions. Strategy plays an important role, but nimble thumbs are what will save the day in the campaign.
Of course, as in previous Halo games, online multiplayer is Reach’s biggest draw. New play modes -- like “Headhunter,” in which players collect skulls for points, and multi-phase “Invasion” matches -- help breathe life into Halo’s aging online formula. What’s more, online matches are where players can make greatest use of Reach’s ballyhooed new armour abilities, including jetpacks, holographic decoys, and drop shields. Reach may be Bungie’s final kick at the Halo can, but the studio is going out with a planet-smashing bang.
Online interaction: The franchise’s leading-edge online functionality makes it extremely easy for players to communicate via open voice chat and join groups that travel from game to game. Common Sense Media does not recommend moderation-free online communication for pre-teens. We suggest using the parental controls built into game consoles to disable online communication features.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the difference between hyper-realistic violence and violence that involves fantastical elements, such as superhuman powers and exotic aliens. Do you find the latter less unsettling? Why or why not?
Families can also discuss online play. At what age do you think kids should be allowed to communicate with strangers online freely and without moderation? What sort of danger should they be on the lookout for? In what ways can you take action when you encounter inappropriate behavior online?
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AGE
Best Halo yet, including good role models and customized online settings
This is the latest (and last) Halo release. The game is a prequel to all other Halo games, and leaves off where the original Halo begins. This game is the best Halo game to date, and is fairly mild in regards to violence as compared with Halo 3. Yes, you are still shooting aliens for the majority of the game. However, the moments of actual violence against humans is fairly sparse and infrequent. The game developers could have added more gore and blood, but it seems they made an effort to tone those elements down in this title and focus on the story and gameplay. There are moments when human teammates get stabbed with alien energy swords, but there is no blood or gore shown in those moments. The ESRB gives this game a M rating 17+. This is for blood and violence, but like I said, those moments are fairly rare and the game is toned down compared to other titles such as MW2, Gears of War 2, and certainly most other first person shooters out there. The reason I rate this game iffy for for age 11 is that there is violence and occasional intense moments of action. The violence is mainly alien in nature. The role models in the game display great heroism in the face of danger and can be a launching point in discussing bravery and sacrifice in the name of a bigger cause. The story is well thought out, and the visuals are amazing. There is multiplayer available online for this title and if offers the coolest feature I've seen yet. You can customize your multiplayer experience and add filters for content like language and skill level. For example, you can choose to display lobbies that are categorize the tone as polite. Also, they have a filter for more competitive play or playing for fun. This is a really cool feature Bungie introduced with this title and I hope it does well and other game developers catch on. This way, at least I have a better chance at finding a lobby that isn't cursing at each other and trash talking all the time. All being said, this is the best Halo title to date and if your kid is interested, be sure he/she can handle alien violence and be prepared for a discussion on bravery and courage in the line of duty.
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AGE
Great Sci-Fi game
This game is really good and it is not THAT non age appropriate for young teens. There is the word B***h is used in few or barely any of the campaign missions. There is some blood in the multiplayer gameplay on Xbox live. Not educational, no drugs, drinking, etc., no sex, and it really doesn't deserve to be an M-rated game.
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AGE
Truth be told, I think this should have been rated a bit higher. It's a fantastic game, but it is noticeably darker and more visceral than other Halo games. The amount of blood has not increased substantially, but combat feels more brutal due to how the game is presented. Language is still somewhat mild when compared to the likes of Red Dead Redemption or perhaps Fallout.
(The following will not apply to those who eschew the story mode and focus on the multiplayer. I do not have an Xbox Live account, and I will assume that the multiplayer is not drastically changed in terms of content from previous entries.)
The story is much, much more darkly presented than was the case in past Halo games. The first few missions come across as a run-of-the-mill alien invasion, but then things get worse. And worse. And worse. The story takes on an atmosphere of utter hopelessness, with several noble characters giving their lives even as you press on to assuage what could be considered a 9/11 attack on a planet-wide scale. Scripted sequences depicting a city being bombarded from orbit -- while you are in it at the time, in the middle of gameplay -- could be extremely upsetting for younger players as various buildings begin catching fire and collapsing.
The game itself has some fantastic moments as far as role models are concerned -- one mission, a marvel of gameplay and storytelling alike, centers on rounding up civilians and helping them evacuate a city under attack with the help of other soldiers. The stark presentation, though, means that this is a title not recommended for young children.
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AGE
A Gift
I have to put a good review here.
GENERAL: If you didn't already know, this is Bungie's last Halo game. To me, Halo is a thing of culture. In 2001, a failing and bought out company created a miracle under extreme duress named Halo: Combat Evolved. It was an instant hit and remained the top Xbox game for three years, until Halo 2 came out. Halo 3 was nothing short of a conclusion to an epic saga. Halo will always be a work of beautiful art. Bungie ended this with a bang and a great finale. The music, graphics, and characters blend in perfectly for the way a legendary series should end.
GAME:In Reach, you play as Noble Six. Six is a new member of Noble team, a squad of Spartans. You get to know the other Spartans and even care for them as the game goes on: Carter, Jorge, Jun, Emile, and Kat. They have intricate personalities and truly set a standard for game characters. You of course engage the Covenant onslaught, and Elites are back. They are much more powerful, making gameplay more difficult. Skirmishers, similar to Jackals, have been added. New and unique weapons such as the Needle Rifle, DMR, and Plasma Launcher have been added. The new concept of armor abilities is well-laid out, and they fit well into the game and get you to organize your strategy. Are you going to be a stealthy assassin with Active Camouflage, or are you going to lure and confuse enemies with a Hologram? New assassination sequences have been added, and they're quite entertaining. Though they take longer, they give more points. The health system is back from CE and is a welcome addition in my opinion. Firefight has been improved, and is very fun to play solo or with a friend.Reach now has a character creation system, allowing you to modify and change your person's armor and appearance. It's really cool, and you gain credits to purchase more items through playing the game, gaining commendations, and earning medals. The controls are slightly different, but the layout is more suited to the game once you get the feel for it. (RB is melee) The campaign truly is a tale to behold. Your Spartans, the music, the graphics, and the drama really add up. Everything flows so beautifully, from space combat to the last mission where you lay the path out for Captain Keyes (and inherently Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, the famed "Chief") The graphics are stunningly beautiful and well designed and the music is something that will be with me forever. Just check out the Reach OSTs on the Internet to see what I'm talking about.
CONTENT: To be honest, this is pretty mild compared to most games. Your cause and reason is legitimate, and you are surrounded by excellent comrades. Gunplay and grenades are throughout. It's also peppered with Scorpion MBTs, Warthogs, and the like. You can see some blue blood from Covenant troops, and red blood from yourself, human marines and civilians, and Covenant Brutes. It can splatter onto the wall, but it's really quite mild. Mild swearing like d--n or b-----d may be mentioned, but trust me, it's far worse in schools.
CLOSING: No Xbox gamer should not have this title. Halo: Reach is a marvel of culture, a legend of its time, and a dramatic ending. I would go as far to say as Halo is the best game franchise to ever grace gaming. Don't miss this. Finish the fight.
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AGE
13 and up can play with no problem.
The violence is mild at the most. Bad words are scattered and rarely heard, volume can be turned down if it is an issue. No sexual themes, no crude humor, no drugs, no drinking, very clean fun game.
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AGE
+8 and up
okay I play Reach online 3 hrs a day. I am a mlg amateur player, so i know a lot about this game. The game is outstanding, yes there is swearing, most games have swearing these days.
Now there are many players who have a lack of self control.
My suggestion??? mute them and shut their mouth in game
I am 19, and i play halo with an 8 yr old family friend. he has beaten the game many times, and he understands it is only a game.
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AGE
Perfect for people who want to fun game
I'm a Christian gamer who isn't allowed to play games like codmw2. My parents don't it's that bad because you're mostly fighting aliens and mulitplayer has little to no blood.
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AGE
best halo ever
Halo is like my life. To see this as iffy for 15 to 16 is disepionting.its iffy from 13 and up. So please change it
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AGE
love the game, im an addict to it!
Love the game, best one in the series, 100x better than any other call of duty game
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360 |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | First Person Shooter |
| Developer: | Microsoft Studios |
| Release date: | September 14, 2010 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood, Violence |
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