 | 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. |
Terminator: Salvation
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Brief, movie-based shooter game delivers bloodless violence.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game is based on the new Terminator movie, and that its release has been timed to coincide with and make the most of the tide of promotion leading up to the film. Many teens who see the movie will want to play this game, and vice versa. As in the movie, the game has plenty of violence in the form of gunplay and explosions. Humans yell, scream, and die, though no blood or gore is shown. It is free of sex, drugs, alcohol, and coarse language.
What's it about?
Based on the film of the same name-- or, more accurately, based on characters from the film (the game is set a couple of years prior to the events of the movie) -- TERMINATOR: SALVATION has players exploring a machine-ravaged urban wasteland as John Connor, a member of a human resistance organization who is trying to rescue a group of trapped soldiers. The game wastes no time with back story, and assumes that players are well versed in the Terminator mythos (which is likely, given the franchise's popularity).
The action, which consists mostly of shooting rifles and grenade launchers and tossing grenades and pipe bombs, is seen from a third-person perspective. Players must work with their computer controlled allies (or another person, should they happen to be playing in co-op mode) to outflank their enemies and then target their weak spots. Depending on how adept you become in carrying out this tactic -- and which difficulty level you choose -- the game lasts between four and six hours.
Is it any good?
It seems clear that the only reason Terminator: Salvation exists is to cash on on the popularity of the movie with which it shares its name. It doesn't push any borders, nor does it introduce anything new to the third-person shooter formula. The cover and flank mechanic, which feels pilfered from the Gears of War games, is competent but unexceptional, having already been implemented in plenty of other shooters. That verdict applies to just about everything in the game, whether you're manning a turret in a jeep or fighting a big boss like a Hunter-Killer warbird; it's all been capably executed, but shows little evidence of originality or flair.
Post-Armageddon Los Angeles looks great, as do the beautifully rendered, action-packed cut scenes, but the atmosphere suffers from uninspired, lifeless dialogue (Christian Bale, Helena Bonham Carter, and many of the film's other major actors are, unfortunately, absent from the game's cast). Too bad, since a strong story might have made players want to experience it a second time in co-op mode, which has the potential to double the length of this very brief adventure. Best leave this one to die-hard Terminator fans and look to longer more innovative interactive experiences.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about games based on movies versus movies based on games. Does one medium transfer to the other more naturally? Do you generally make a point of playing games based on movies or vice versa? Do movies and games of this sort usually leave you satisfied?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Fun Game!
Ok this game is as easy as first person shooters get. This is a great game. its mild on violence. Of course it is violent, it is a shooter for gods sake!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good compromise for shooting game for kids.
I'm one of those "mean" moms who won't let my 9 year old play Call of Duty or Halo and other bloody, violent, rated M games. So this one is a pretty good shooting game that he thought was cool, and is still pretty rough. My 6 year old plays it too. Does have lots of shooting, things blowing up, and some bad language (not too bad though). It is a good compromise.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Best to play it on Hard!
Really Good game but is too short. If you want this game to last set the difficulty to Hard. I find it much more challenging when it is on hard and you get a good feel of how strong the terminators are! Really good game for 12 and up. Dark Theme and a little violence but fine for kids as they are only destroying robots. 4/5
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Dumb game..its less than 3 hours and it should be a downloadable game from playstation store.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Outstanding!
This game is pretty awesome. Fighting sequences are great. I heard the phrase "D--- that flying trash compactor" at the beggining and i turned the voice levels down after that. Very violent, no kids under 10.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
its fun for kids 13 and older i think
i think this game is awsome but the case says it has no language but they say a$$ 2 times.dame and hell are used once or twice in the game
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I think 2 year olds would have fun playing this
I got my son call of duty 1 when he was 6 so six is good
this game is good I played it at a party and Im going to get it today
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Warner Bros. Games |
| Release date: | May 19, 2009 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Violence |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
