Parents, just like getting a song stuck in your head, so can gore, violence and language. "It's just a game mom, it's not like i'm really killing anyone...Plus, their not even people their zombies!" This is true but, if the teen plays video games alot then, just like a song, this could get stuck in your head, Theres hundreds of other games to get!
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Resident Evil 5
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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
Controversial horror game has sparked racial debate.
In this game kids can: battle others, kill humans (with blood), kill non-humans (with blood), live vicariously
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Ease of play:
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Online interaction:
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Sex:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Resident Evil 5 was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know this zombie killing game is most definitely not for kids because it's very violent and gory, and unlike past games in the series, more realistic-looking thanks to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3's graphical horsepower. It's possible to hack and slash or shoot down oncoming enemies using guns and melee weapons, such as a sword or chainsaw, all of which results in copious amounts of blood, as well as some dismembering of body parts and decapitation. Limbs can grow back on these mutated people. Some players might find the location of the game in a rural African village to be objectionable because it feeds into damaging stereotypes, where the white hero (accompanied by a light-skinned African American) has to kill predominately black victims infected by the zombie-causing virus. This game has garnered some press attention on this issue.
Families Can Talk About
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Families can talk about if the controversy surrounding this game is justified. If Capcom had picked another country for the backdrop to this game, would the reaction have been the same? What if the game makers had set the game in America, Asia, or Europe? Is the setting and race of these people all in context or is there a deeper, disturbing societal message, here?
More on Resident Evil 5
What’s the Story?
As with past Resident Evil games -- one of the most successful video game franchises in history and one that has spawned many popular Hollywood movies -- the story involves a deadly virus that can infect humans and turn them into a kind of undead zombie out for blood. Ridiculous? Sure. Over the top? You bet. In RESIDENT EVIL 5, players take on the role of Chris Redfield, a hero charged with tracing the virus to a fictional poor nation of Kijuju, in Africa, where the majority of the infected are people who live in these villages. This biological agent is turning these once peaceful people into blood-thirsty savages and it is up to Chris to eliminate all those infected.
Players roam around a detailed world with terrifying enemies and must use brains and brawn to get out of situations alive, while unraveling more of the story. Players are joined by a female agent, Sheva Alomar, to help ward off the creatures and stop the virus at its core. Players start the game as Chris but will eventually control Alomar, as well.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Previous games in this series were campy in a Night of the Living Dead kind of way, but the setting of this game has made some people uncomfortable because Chris is white and most of the African zombies are black. While the setting is consistent with the story, the images of Chris killing the zombies can be disturbing because some of the zombies still look human. For those that can get past the setting, Resident Evil 5 provides a very good and polished adventure -- for mature players who love these kinds of "survival horror" games. It fuses immersive third-person gun-play and melee weapon action with some exploration and puzzle-solving. And it builds on it predecessors' fame with much better graphics, multiple control schemes, an improved inventory system, and the piece de resistance, optional co-op mode for two players to tackle the adventure together (even online).
As with previous Resident Evil titles, this sequel includes an all-new unlockable The Mercenaries mini-game, where players can tackle modified levels from the story mode, with a never-ending stream of fiercer enemies and timed challenges. The African setting controversy notwithstanding, Resident Evil 5 is an well-crafted game, but be sure to take heed to the "Mature" rating.
Publisher’s Details
Released on 3/13/2009, price $59.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language)
Our Members Say
See all 41 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
This game is great for Mature teens. My concerns are the graphic violence,and the occasional strong language. Parents don't be worried this game does not suggest and isn't supposed to be racist.
- I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
A brief note to fools.
I apologize for not finishing that earlier post, I work off an old computer. I'll review: .) The 'Black Zombies' attack you first, and thusly, you are defending yourself. 2.)The main villians of the piece, and who you fight most often are a white man and a white woman. 3.) The 'Black Zombies' kill groups of white soliders. 4.)THE SOLIDERS WHO ARE KILLED BY THE 'BLACK ZOMBIES' ARE THERE ORIGINALLY TO HELP FIGHT B.O.W's (for those who are unaware, Bio Organic Weapons) AND THUSLY ARE TRYING TO HELP SOLVE THREATS ON A WORLD LEVEL. Does that sound racist to you? 5.)One of the women that your character, Chris, tries to save is a white woman who then tries to kill him. 6.)Earlier in the game, he tries to help an infected 'Black Zombie'...who then tries to kill him. Getting a message yet? 7.)Would you prefer to go back to RE1, where all the zombies were green but there was a mucher higher level of gore? (i.e. Festering wounds, heads coming off, blood everywhere) 8.)Most of the reviewers who have posted before me have marked themselves as under the age to be able to play this game, so their parents would have to condone them playing it, or bought it for them, and I don't see anyone complaining about that, now do I? 9.)Gamesetto- I agree wholeheartedly. 10.)Anyone who avoids this game merely because of your deluded idea of it being racist shouldn't play video games at all. In most video games, you will find 'Killing of Black people' AND 'Killing of White people' and ALL OTHER PEOPLE. 11.) 'Resident Evil 5 is too gory'. Okay, seriously. Think about this for a second. A survival horror game...including cannibalism, killing, headshots, chainsaws, etc, etc is gory. If you think that it's too gory, try playing 'E' rated games instead. Avoid Resident Evil and Silent Hill games at all costs. 12.) No, I'm not a parent, so I don't need to worry about it's influence on my children. But if you have a child in your house, keep the 'M' rated games far, far away from the other games and don't play it unless the child is out of the house. Not asleep, out of the house. 13.)If you find it so objectionable, DON'T PLAY IT! For Christ's sake, that's just common sense! There are so many more reasons I can put than just those 13, but you...there isn't even a word good enough for the level of stupidity and lack of common sense and judgement you have, have me so riled up I can't think. So, you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna go play RE5, because, yes, it is gory. Yes, it is graphic, and has strong language. But there's so much more to a good game like that then those small, insignificant facts. And by the way. I've never cussed in my life but once, and my parents- who actually RAISED ME PROPERLY- taught me never to do it again.
- I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Okay, I would like to point something out to those of you who find this game racist. 1.) The 'Black Zombies' attack you first, and thusly, you are defending yourself. 2.)The main villians of the piece, and who you fight most often are a white man and a white woman. 3.) The 'Black Zombies' kill groups of white soliders. 4.)THE SOLIDERS WHO ARE KILLED BY THE 'BLACK ZOMBIES' ARE THERE ORIGINALLY TO HELP FIGHT B.O.W's (for those who are unaware, Bio Organic Weapons) AND THUSLY ARE TRYING TO HELP SOLVE THREATS ON A WORLD LEVEL. Does that sound racist to you? 5.)One of the women
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Perfect for idiots
A painfully horrible game. Stereotype zombie slayers, I beefy chick and a beefy dude. I hate this game. Who the f**k is so stupid to stand in place while meleeing. I have to wait an hour for the zombies travelling at .5 mph and wait for them to knock you done when you finally have a chance to cut them. There is NO ammo that lasts. Please don't but this. It's crap for everyone. Terrible game! Grow up idiots who actually enjoy this.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 83% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 83% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
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