 | 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. |
Mercenaries
- PlayStation 2
- Price: $45.95
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Killing-for-profit game definitely isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that death and destruction are constant in this game. The violence is very real and bodies go flying, although there's little blood. Playing as killers for hire, players jack cars, take hostages, and mow down enemies for profit, not any noble cause.
What's it about?
MERCENARIES follows the ExOps, a group of mercenaries looking to capitalize financially on a Korean conflict. You must guide the mercenary you have chosen to stop the new North Korean leaders before they amass a nuclear arsenal. Each enemy has been paired with a playing card to designate his importance. The mercenary goes through a deck of 52 enemies; the goal is to get to the Ace of Spades, Gen. Choi Song.
While hunting for the Ace of Spades, the mercenary has the option of running missions for the other factions located in the demilitarized zone. These missions can be for cash to purchase other useful items, such as cars and weapons, from the black market, or to keep interested groups in the area satisfied. Winning the favor of the Russian Mafia, the Chinese government, the North Koreans, and the Allied Forces, all of whom occupy some space in the DMZ, is of utmost importance to succeed.
Is it any good?
The strength of this game comes from the realism of its battle scenes. Whether sneaking through a North Korean camp to take out a signal jamming device, or using C4 explosives to take out a whole building, players will find their adrenaline pumping. These realistic battle scenes can become a little too real for younger players. While the amount of blood and guts in the game is a minimum, the death and destruction is constant, and there is enough authentic violence to warrant a 17+ rating.
Even for older players, the destruction of the game eventually grows stale. There's hardly any character development and the storyline doesn't even rip off a war movie, which would at least give it a little depth. The soundtrack is boring, and it takes a ridiculously long time to get to missions. Overall, mature players will find the realistic battle scenes and complicated missions entertaining enough, but younger players should stay far, far away.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the plot points and themes, especially those that are grounded in the real world. For example: Why are the North Koreans the enemy in this game? Why are mercenaries used in war? Is it ever ethical to be a mercenary -- or to hire one?
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AGE
What r u guys talking about?
How in the world did this get a CSM 17+ ? okay, there is some violence but its like rated teen. Granted, its a bit chaotic at times but what PG-13 film these days doesn't contain that? its definatly fine 4 your teens (12-17)
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AGE
This game was misjudged...
As unbiased as I try to be, I have to say: No Kids?! Seriously?! With all due respect, I believe this game was seriously misjudged. This is coming from someone that understands the importance of keeping certain games from kids as I'm not allowed to play M games. I agree with Goldendrummer's review below. This game is like Grand Theft Auto without the drugs, sex, and whatever makes that game M. This is an average rated "T" shooter.
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AGE
This Game Is Fantastic And Fun Like Crazy!
How did this get 17+???? Just look at mercenaires 2 review! ITS 14+!!! And the second one is even worse than the first one. In the second one you can throw a gennade in a tank hole and a guy will scream in pain when in explodes but that doesnt happen in the first one!
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AGE
Key Word: CHOICE
For those of you parents out there, this game isn't what you'd think. CSM rates the violence and message at the red level. Also, on extremely bloody and terrible games, they have given them the red. There is a reason this game was rated T. There is no blood, just constant shooting. The events result because of your actions. You must choose between different factions. Sometimes you must do dirty work for them against other friendly factions. You have the choice to become friends with other factions, but you must stay friendly to the Americans. Yes, you are paid for the things you destroy and the people you kill or take into custody. You can hijack cars from just about anyone. You can destroy anything and kill anything. The thing is, if you kill a friendly or civilian, you lose your cash. To sum up, this game is rated T and should still be treated that way. The whole game basically revolves around choice and what actions you take. Don't shut this game out. There are plenty of games that are worse than this.
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AGE
its ok!
its all right parents if your kids are teens or almost let them have the game. The voilence is kind of bad, but besides that nothing seems to wrong
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AGE
Fun open world to play in, just a little iffy.
Okay, well i'm gonna start by saying, you are a mercenary. You will do anything anyone will tell you for the right price. So, that pretty much says it all.
You go around helping out well.. whoever! Pays you enough money to get the job done.
blow up buildings kill or capture enemies, probably the most open world for ps2!
You can kill anyone as you please, but you could get introuble for it. Say for example, you kill a random civilian, you will have to pay a fine. However I have realized that you can kill anyone with this melee attack. lock 'em up, and leave them handcuffed to the ground.
Some unwanted language flying around like H*** and one of the guys will yell out a frustrated D*** if something doesn't go the way he wants.
Like it says on the case, "Playground of Destruction." Great fun, but might want to be a little careful.
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AGE
pretty bad for T ....
Well the first is a little worst than the #2 but its a pretty bad teen game becase its a free lace game just like grand theft auto but your in north korea and just like grand theft auto you can hijack cars helicopters and any thing you want, and you can kill anyone you want any civilians,gangsters,mobsters,soldiers or you can blow up any buildings you want. you can also work for the russian mob,or china,south korea or americans just like grand theft working for differnt gangs, also there is very little blood but constant explosions and killing pepole you probobly kill over 200k pepole plus throw the game and the language is pretty mild the worst it gets is s--t i think but for sex theres no problem drugs nope but the main thing is your getting payed to kill pepole..
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AGE
A grate game for kids over the age of 16
a strong game with alot of violance for profit an sweet game when you get passed the anomated violance. its fun to pass time and an easey one to play.
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| Platforms: | PlayStation 2 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | LucasArts |
| Release date: | January 12, 2005 |
| Price: | $45.95 |
| ESRB rating: | T |
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