This game is not violent at all. Basically you just walk around crushing broken parts and shooting martians. The only problem is the language. My fourteen year old loves this game and I allow my twelve year old to play it occasionally.
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Red Faction: Guerrilla
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
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
Sci-fi shooter tackles tricky topic in terrorism.
In this game kids can: battle others, be creative, become a hero, kill humans (with blood), play in a virtual world, play multiplayer games, play with others, strategize
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Ease of play:
What to watch out for
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Online interaction:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Red Faction: Guerrilla was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that this third-person action game tackles the difficult subject of wartime insurgency and terrorism. Players take on the role of a reluctant freedom fighter who uses his expertise in demolitions to help defeat a corrupt, militaristic occupational force. The violence, while more or less constant, is often directed at buildings rather than people, and players are encouraged to avoid hurting civilians whenever possible. When they do get into direct combat players use a variety of ballistic and melee weapons. Blood can be seen, but only in small splotches. Parents should also be aware that this game features a moderate amount of coarse language in its voice dialogue. Online modes facilitate open voice communication.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the differences between terrorism, insurgency, resistance fighting, and freedom fighting. Is it merely a matter of semantics? Many of the game’s characters are labeled terrorists by the military. Do you believe that’s what they are? Is bombing a building, regardless of perpetrator’s motive, automatically an act of terrorism? Do you think this is a topic that can be adequately addressed within the context of a video game?
- Did playing this game changed the way you look at the world? At terrorism?
More on Red Faction: Guerrilla
What’s the Story?
Part Total Recall part Far Cry 2, RED FACTION: GUERILLA is an open-world sci-fi shooter set on Mars with a lead character best described as a resistance fighter. The governing powers are sending death squads out on the streets and crushing anyone who resists their authoritarian rule, including our hero’s brother. This forces our otherwise peaceful protagonist, a demolitions expert by trade, to hook up with the Red Faction, a resistance group intent on forcibly removing the Earth Defense Force -- Mars’ current rulers -- by destroying key installations and helping citizens whenever they come under attack. Players freely explore six separate sectors of the Red Planet, choosing missions as they like with an aim to raise the morale of civilians and eventually get them to help fight for their freedom.
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Is It Any Good?
There’s plenty to like about Red Faction: Guerilla, not least of which is the intelligent way in which it handles the always touchy topic of terrorism. Our hero is a hesitant insurgent who only takes action against the EDF once his brother is killed and he looks to be next. And while the conflict in the game’s story is black and white, painting one side as purely malicious and the other as noble and good, it’s not unrealistic to think that stepping into the shoes of a virtual terrorist could make players think about insurgents in real-world wars and consider their potential motives.
Beyond politics and philosophy, the game is quite a bit of fun to play. Virtually everything in the world can be destroyed in satisfying fashion by smashing into it with vehicles, blowing it up with explosives, or simply pounding it with our hero’s trusty sledgehammer. Alas, all of the over-the-top destruction can and does grow a bit repetitive after a while. Still, it's recommended for older players looking for a bit of narrative substance.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 6/3/2009, price $59.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Strong Language, Violence)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Strong Language, Violence)
Our Members Say
See all 17 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
for older teens
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
for older teens
This game is not violent at all. Basically you just walk around crushing broken parts and shooting martians. The only problem is the language. My fourteen year old loves this game and I allow my twelve year old to play it occasionally.
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
i hate this site sometimes
um first this review is horrible "OH online play poses a risk of personal information to be said in open chat" u know teens and pre-teens are not dumb its not like "hey uh new person i dont know who is most likely older than me here is my address" and oh my god terrorism hes fighting oppression like the patriots in the revolutionary war our ancestors were no different. also cigarettes most people smoke cigarettes like parents of children so overall its a great game but i hate this review HATE in capital letters
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
absolutely
there is no gore no contraband and is basically like freeing nazi occupied france but on mars
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Ratings at a Glance
| 86% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 43% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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