 | 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. |
Need for Speed: The Run
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Windows
- Price: $39.99-$59.99
- Genre: Racing
Common Sense Media says
Police-dodging street racing game sends the wrong message.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Need for Speed: The Run is a street racing game that places a lot of emphasis on dodging the police. There are even some scenes in which the police go so far as to send in helicopter units that shoot machine guns at the player but the unwavering message is to continue playing and avoid law enforcement. This game glamorizes the illegal sport of street racing and has little to no positive messages. If players crash their vehicle, they are sometimes rewarded with points and almost always rewarded with a glamorous, slow-motion depiction of wreckage and destruction. It should be noted, though, that measures are taken to mitigate the impact of the violence and unsavory behavior -- for example, humans are never depicted as being injured in car crashes, actual police officers are rarely seen (players usually only see police vehicles), and the focus is always on racing and mastering the controls. There is rough dialogue in this game as well as some suggestive content with women depicted in provocative outfits and acting with suggestive mannerisms.
What's it about?
In NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN, players are ultimately working to drive across the country from coast-to-coast. They engage in street races along the way, competing against other nefarious racers to earn money and recognition in the underground racing community. Some of these characters are downright seedy and underhanded while others come across as normal people; but they all share the same love of illegal street racing. The story depicts the police as an enemy force that wants to stop players from their dangerous activity.
Is it any good?
Need for Speed: The Run exemplifies the characteristics that have made the Need for Speed series one of the most heralded names in racing games. The graphics are beautiful, the controls are sophisticated and extremely well executed, and there is an addicting level of vehicle customization that will drive players to keep playing until they create the ultimate ride. The adrenaline of running from the police adds an extra jolt of excitement to this game, but only for players who recognize that in real life, what is presented in the game is dangerous and toxic and should only exist inside the realm of a video game. Fans of the Need for Speed series or racing games in general will enjoy the masterful presentation here, despite the lack of positive role models or messages.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the glorification of car crashes in this game. Why is this form of violence so appealing and is it different when you don't actually see people during the crash?
Would there be a way to keep the same intensity to this game while still offering a better moral message?
What are the negative messages in this game and what is done to curtail their impact?
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Kid, 10 years old
December 18, 2011
AGE
Need for speed reviewed by a 10year old
Need for speed series is all about surviving the race and winning. Need for speed does provide information about how not to illegally street race but no kid is going to play this game and then start street racing. I have heard Call of duty and other war tipe games will enhance violence and aggression also including language personally I hate the Call of Duty series and other war-type games not including monster shooting games but Need for Speed is a great Christmas present so yeah bye.
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AGE
CSM should have given this game 3 stars. I rate it 2 stars for a reason.
The actual races in this game are a lot of fun and feel like I'm in a high-speed movie car chase. However, I cannot reply my favorite races in the story mode without playing through the whole game again. The previous Need for Speed games either have a chapter selection or a menu that allows me to reply races. Also, I don't want to waste my time playing through the story mode again because the story is stupid. It feels so unfinished and so confusing that it overall feels so unnecessary.
I rate this game ON for teens because the language in the game can be harsh but it isn't constant. Also, this game centers around themes like mobs and one of the beginning cutscenes shows the main character strapped to a chair and with a somewhat scarred face, indicating that he might have been in a brutal fight. But TRUST ME you're better off playing Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit and reading internet FanFiction.
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AGE
Can be good for 13+
I got this game for Christmas and I was surprised at the amount of language they use in the game, but if you don't really care and your kid likes violence, then this might be a great game for them. There is no blood in the Xbox 360 version, but that is the one that contains the most amount of language in it. There are some parts in the game that are nearly impossible to beat, but give them time and it is possible.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | November 15, 2011 |
| Price: | $39.99-$59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence |
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