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WarCraft III/WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne (Windows)

common sense media says

Violent games are better suited to older audience.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although the ESRB rates the games as Teen games, they truly split the line between a game for teens and a more mature audience. Considering the amount of violence, the dark nature of the games, and concerns with language and sexual content, these games would be better suited to an older audience.

Positive messages: Some edgy humor at times -- characters sometimes say things such as "I'm sooo wasted, I'm sooo wasted" in a drunken "party girl" tone of voice.
Violence: Blood, guts, murder, explosions. Pervasively sinister and violent images, including demons.
Sex: Some sexual innuendo. For example, when clicked on multiple times, different characters will say things like, "I said a bow string not a G . . . never mind".
Language: Hidden in the gameplay are a couple of explicit words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on WarCraft III/WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about fantasy and violence. Would the violence style of this game feel different if you were playing as a World War II soldier instead of, say, an orc? Which civilization do you prefer to play as? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In WARCRAFT III/WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE, players take the role of one of four major civilizations: orcs, humans, night elves, or the undead. Each has its own history, but they are intertwined. Each also has its own specialties -- from different military units to different upgrades. In general, the game is very similar to other Real-Time-Strategy (RTS) games.

One major difference with Warcraft III is the addition of heroes. Heroes can build up experience and then get special skills and spells they can use to help their own forces or defeat the enemy. Heroes can also pick up or buy items in the game that can be stored in their inventory. These items typically add to the abilities of the hero.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Cinematic segments help to carry the storyline. From a technical point of view, they are very well done. From a content point of view, they are pervasively sinister, violent, and contain mature themes such as demons/demonic possession, deception, murder, and revenge.

Several other, albeit more hidden elements, add concerns for younger players. For example, players can make a character say not-so-innocent comments or blow up creatures in an explosion of guts and blood by clicking on them repeatedly. Also hidden in the gameplay are a couple of explicit words. Although these games are popular, parents would be wise to look at other games before getting either of these for their kids.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Windows
Not available online
Genre: Strategy
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Released on: October 8, 2003
Price: 35
ESRB Rating: T

This review was written by Jeremy Gieske
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

Ayjay
adult
 
Commonsense Media? More like Ignorant Media
Edgy Humour? Sexual innuendo? Explicit words? Not for kids? This just proved that your review is full of biased statements that are unsupported by factual evidence. Warcraft is a real time strategy game that revolves around teamwork and co-operation. Commonsense Media's justification made this game sound like it was something in the Grand Theft Auto series... You also demonstrate to the audience (who are probably looking for a legitimate review since they are on this website) that you exaggerate over the most miniscule detail, blowing them out of proportion. You gave it a 4/5 for language, yet your justification stated "Hidden in the gameplay are a couple of explicit words". Am I the only one that finds that sentence Ironic? Blood, Guts, Murder? Overstatement. When something dies, it turns into a corpse outlined in red. No big deal. There is absolutley no sexual content that would make me question the rating. Again I find it ironic that Commonsense media chooses to criticise the sexual content of a game that has no intent of any sexual references.

 
Common Sense, Yet Again, You are Wrong
Seriously, CommonSense, a 17+ NOT FOR KIDS? For WarCraft III? Not only does this prove a point that you do not actually thoroughly investigate a game prior to reviewing it (albeit reading the back-cover and doing some qualitative "opinion-based reasearch"), you also demonstrate to the audience reading these "reviews" that you obsess over the most minute details, blowing them out of proportion in comparison with the other aspects the media has to offer. WarCraft III is a Real-Time-Strategy game (RTS) from Blizzard Entertainment that incorporates various elements into its vast game-play. The violence is cartoonish, the blood and gore animated and therefore completely unrealistic, the language mild, and absolutely minuscule sexual references and innuendos.

Ejacdam
adult
 
What is all the fuss about?
To be honest, I really don't know what all the fuss is about. The graphics are too bad to notice any "blood or guts" and you see more sexual material, swearing and bad role models on T.V these days, that this game doesn't even come close to being inappropriate. I admit, the wizards, demons etc can be a bit sadistic. I have found that ratings for newer and more graphic games have been getting less and less moderated and I have found my son playing games rating 13+ that have really graphic blood splatters etc. Really what it comes down to is would you rather have you kids playing this than a newer more graphic game? I would.

 
Common Sense Media, are you out of your mind? Did you actually play this game?
Kids could play this game! Their is no reason this should be only for 17+ and up? Have you guys actually PLAYED this game? You obviously haven't by what you have rated it to be. I have seriously never seen half the things you guys rant about in the game that you do here (their is a little blood, but I haven't seen so called "guts" or gore). Did some parents pay you to do this? Well, this game isn't too bad for what it is, still has a large player base, and nicely done RTS combat. You have to use strategies to overcome your enemies and destroy their bases. I personally liked starcraft better (now THAT game is a little more violent, but still appropiate for most teens over 14) because of its ease of use, but this game isn't half-bad either.

 
Mature multiplayer game
Warcraft 3, is a very mature game, there is nothing I would want children seeing. As far as a multiplayer game goes, this does a good job. The graphics are wonderful, some of the best for third person games. The details and graphics are the best for a strategy battle type game on the market. However the main storyline is very negative, very disturbing, and very graphic. This game is designed for someone over seventeen, anyone younger than that should not play this game. The scariness and fear factor will cause almost anyone to lose sleep at night. The main problem is not the gore and scariness. Rather it is the way the storyline unfolds, and makes someone play something they may not want to play. Halfway through the game there is a drastic change in the story, and the only way to continue is to play a character that does very graphic things. This is a mature game.

zazmopepperz
teen, 16 years old
 
WTH!
Have to say this is the biggest pile of BS in reviewing history. I think its a bit much for a teen rated game but its fine for mid-teens. There is barely any strong language just a few damns and hells. This is a freakin' awesome game that I recommend

Cm20014
teen, 16 years old
 
this review is a lie!
i played this at my girlfriend's house its not tht bad! just blood! no guts! wat is wrong w/ this website?!

Will Halloway
teen, 15 years old
 
Maybe not for very young children, but certainly not even close to that bad.
While there are some mature themes in this game, they certainly do not merit a "Not For Kids" rating. And to click on units enough times to get something edgier out of them would take a while, and children would never spend so much time doing that anyway, they'd be going to attack the enemy or be defending their own base. As for the exploding creatures, NOBODY CLICKS ON CREATURES REPEATEDLY UNLESS THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL EXPLODE, so there is no chance at all of a child (or anybody) ever discovering this on accident. The blood and gore is shown from a bird's eye view and not noticable, and is only on screen for a second, and as the other reviewers have written, the game is educational, as it teaches strategy and the usage of the mind, and is easily suitable for small children. My brother began playing at age six, and I at age ten, and neither of us had any trouble whatsoever. And finally, while there are some bad role models here, they are portrayed in a negative fashion and are outwighed by the selfless and sacrificing heroes. The game attempts to convey a message in the main storyline about teamwork and forgiveness, and good triumphing over evil. I walked away with a code of honor and justice, and if anybody somehow manages to take a negative message out of this, do tell me how. Thank you.

worstsitever
kid, 13 years old
 
WTF CSM
What? No educational value? This game teaches strategy. I watched my grandpa play this game when I was 7! Seriously CSM, You suck at reviewing.

maanu123
parent
 
good for kids
great, great game. good for kids. absurd to call it bloody. and demons are violent images? thier just red humans with horns!!!

Mrcharlton
teen, 15 years old
 
Appropriate for all Ages (well, most ages)
The reviewer of this game does not know what he is talking about at all. I doubt he even played the game (he either judged it by the trailer or is confusing it with WOW. He didn't even post the cover) This game is fine for any strategy or sci-fi/fantassy loving person. This game has an immense learning curve. It is not all about killing people, but also about ecenomics, managing an army, and strategic battle planning. Sexual Content: This game has no sexual content whatsoever, not even a single mention of "hanky pankyish" activities. The closest thing to sexual content that it contains is certain female units in the game who sound like they are trying to harmlessly flirt with the player (the Succumus, elf archer, and sorceress units mostly). There are also several innocant rommances between some of the characters in the campaign (Arthas and Jaina in the human story; and an implied love triangle between Tyrande, Malfurion, and Illidan) Other than that, nothing of the sexual nature. language: Again, nothing to be concerned about if you have already exposed your children to PG movies (You would be too overprotective if you never let a ten year watch a PG movie by the time they were five). There are quite a few curses throughout the game, but nothing compared to StarCraft 2. They say things like "d***, b******, a**. and "what the h***" (This isn't even innapropriate language in my book, but I didn't type them out because I may have offended somebody). Back to the Future is only PG and has three times as many instances where people curse (the S word included). This game has about the same level of cursing as Shrek or Harry Potter. Violence: I do admit, this is a somewhat violent and fighting oriented computer game, but what do you expect from a game with the name of "WarCraft"? There is some blood in the game, but nothing compared to a game like Call of Duty (and I know that quite alot of 8 year olds play that game). Yes, warcraft has death, but there are no guts or disturbing forms of death that could scar a sensitive child. None of the characters who die are the primary protagonists anyway, and the players of this game probably won't give a darn at the characters who do, unless of course they have a gift for being super empethetic (which isn't a bad thing). There may be some scary images for real little kids such as zombies, gouls, ghosts, silly demons, giants, and skeletons, but the characters are animated and are about on the same level as the monsters from Scooby Doo: Where are you?. The "monsters" in this game are usually proven to be clumsy and inept at times, resulting in comic relief. Good Messages: The usual you would expect in this type of game. The classic "Good versus Evil" and Right versus Wrong....but with a slight twist. One character actually turnes to the Dark Side in order to save his kingdom, so, we can't label him all bad. Another character believs that if he transforms himself into a demon of immense power, he can destroy the Burning Legion. Some descent, but minor lessons on morality and ethics can be found at the end of this game. Role Models: I can't believe that some people think that this game has no positive role models. One of the best role models in the game is a character named Jaina Proudmoore (this game is actually from her perspective). She appears in each campaign and throughout it, her character developes from a naive student at an arcane academy into a strong willed leader. Seh demonstrates compasion, teamwork, and redemption, as well as open mindedness as she accepts the orcs (the humans were generally racist towards them in the game) for who they are and reconizes that they have gone through difficult times as well. Another role model is an orc named Thral. He and his kin may seem scary and terrifying, but the only reason he fought the human alliance in the previous wars was because he wanted to protect his people. The Orcs represent chaos, but definately not evil. His character and nature explain that there is a fine line between chaos and evil, as well as good and lawfullness. The night elves are also a race that value nature and spirituality, a trait that I believe everyone should posess within them in real life. In conclusion, Warcraft is a somewhat violent game that I think can be suitible for 10 year olds and up. This game was actually created before the E 10 plus rating even came out (they were just starting it in 2002, the same year it came out). I went to a camp called ID Tech where I learned how to mod video games, and teens and preteens were seperated into two groups, and both groups were allowed to play this game online with each other. Be sure to know your child before you let him play this game however, because he may be too sensetive to handle the descent amount of violence within this game. If your child ever saw Star Wars the Clone Wars, this game should be 100% OK for him to play. I don't understand why this game was given such a negitive review. The ironic part is is that StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty was given a review that deemed it appropriate for ages 12 and up, wheras it has way more violence, swearing, and sexual content. In conclusion, Warcraft is a great game with many awesome features including a map making tool, which would allow your kids time to practice making their own levels and units. Don't listen to the original review and make the same mistake the reviewer did. Don't Judge a boo-er....game, by its case. Give this game a try!

m games
kid, 11 years old
 
good game

cowe192
teen, 16 years old
 
Not worthy of a Not For Kids, but still not for younger kids
Warcraft 3 is a good game- a real time strategy game with some violent themes, really, more than actual violence. The only thing that really gives me concern is that the main protagonist decides to purge a cursed village, becomes evil(yet still remains the protagonist in some levels) and stabs his father, the king, through the neck, so he, as the prince, can claim the throne. This happens during a cutscene, and, although it's seen as a shadow on the wall, it's not that hard to identify what's going on. After the scene, a crown, covered in blood rolls on the floor of the castle. Aside from that, the game is hard for younger audiences to play, for there are hundreds of units that the player can control, and therefore the player needs to know how to use them. Following that, in Warcraft 3, the computer players don't have to scroll the screen and can click on many things at once, making it much harder for the player. In fact, in order to beat one computer in an extremely similar game, we needed 5 people to do it. The next problem is that the game takes place, no joke, BEFORE world of warcraft. The characters that appear in this game are all major characters in WoW. Players that want to see these might end up wanting to get world of warcraft. And lastly, in online play, the chat is uncensored(and you cant change that.) Now, as a game, I personally didn't love it, primarily because there were many many confusing aspects, so personally, I would get Starcraft over this game. Get Starcraft 2 for graphics, starcraft 1 for money($15!)

thegreatrman
teen, 14 years old
 
Did you play this game CS??!!
What I can say about this game is that it is NOTHING like Common Sense said it was in it's review, oh no. It is great child friendly minor t-game with poorly, unrecognizable, animated blood and gore, EXTREMELY miniscule sexual references, and PG rated movie language. I've found more language in Who Framed Roger Rabbit than this game. I'll tell you a little story. When I was 5, I first saw my brother playing this game. I thought it looked really cool! So I asked him if I could play it. He said he would teach me how to be good at it. While I was playing this game, it was changing me, it made me think really hard. This game made me better at math and problem solving strategies. So it is an A+ educational game with, should I mention, good role models? The best 2 role models are the characters Thrall and jaina. Jaina always held off on killing everything and did not attack unless attacked. Thrall just wanted to protect his people. He may seem scary and evil like the rest of the orcs, but he's not! None of the orcs are. My last complaint to Common Sense is, why did they make Starcraft II 13+ (which is a much more innapropriate game) and they make this one not for kids! That's major BS guys! So anyway this is not a bad game, children can play it, but don't expose it to squeamish or children younger than maybe 8 at the least.

PenguinFan
teen, 16 years old
 
Since when have you become so skittish, Commonsensemedia?
So yeah, they're overracting. The box says T for teen, that rating is fine; ignore Commonsensemedia's review. The language and innuendo is the kind of thing you would find in a PG movie like Ice Age or Shrek, and is no cause for alarm. Gore is not an issue either; Starcraft was much bloodier and that was an older game. A little blood gushes when you kill someone, occasionally something explodes but blood is rarely visible unless you are looking for it. One cause of this is that the graphics are really cartoon-ish and the effects very flashy, making it even harder to notice blood. But now it's time for the gameplay, and let me tell you they got a little carried away on the difficulty here. I am a real time strategy game vetern, and most other game like Starcraft, Age of Mythology (and Empires) and such don't pose too much of a challenge, even on harder levels. But I can barely defeat the computer on the 'easy' difficulty level! They get so many units so fast that there's no way you'll be able to defeat them unless you give yourself an ally. If they're this hard, I don't want to know how strong medium is.

gamer/rater12
kid, 12 years old
 
What the Warcraft?!?
HELLO!!!???!!! EARTH TO COMMON-SENSE-MEDIA!!!!!! WARCRAFT IS APPROPRIATE! Example: I went to a video game camp and there where 2 different age groups: Teen and Preteen. THEY LET 6 YEAR OLD'S PLAY IT!!!!! I PLAY IT!!!!!! IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS!!!!!

lukefrost
kid, 13 years old
 
good for ages 11-any
good game it isnt that bad the hole game you build an empire and take over other people so its kinda violent but there is only 2 bad words in this game

Tatester
teen, 15 years old
 
Not Worthy of a "Not for Kids"
Wow, I was shocked to see this game get a "Not for Kids." True, there can be a good amount of blood at some points, but most things (like the exploding critters) are so hidden away that most players will never see them. The same goes for the few suggestive lines of dialogue. The game does have some bad role models though, particularly one of the game's main characters, Arthas, who becomes blinded by vengeance and eventually goes insane. The Undead army has some units such as necromancers, cultists, and ghouls; and demons play a big role throughout the game's story. It is important to note that this is a strategy game, so it's not just mindless killing. Planning, resource management, and other tactical decisions are vital to victory.

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
total overreaction

tosha96
teen, 15 years old
 
This does not deserve a "NOT FOR KIDS!!!" rating.
First of all, the only thing that might be bad for some younger kids in this game is the blood and gore, and even that is minimal. If one of the characters dies, there is some blood that comes out of them and some bones that stay on the screen for at the MOST five seconds. The only characters that appear mildly gross because of blood are the undead forces, who sometimes have visible gore. And the little for there is, is cartoony. I've included three image links below showing you what I am talking about. tinyurl*/2ag8j94 tinyurl*/369gx2x tinyurl*/2ekuec8 As you can see, The blood and gore is minimal, and the worst thing you could see is some cartoony blood and gore. As for role models, the only reason I gave this game that warning is because there is one character, Arthas, who becomes crazed with power and obsession and turns into a over-zealous knight who eventually becomes evil. This is the only instance where I can think of a bad role model, the rest of the heros are just trying to protect their people from the evil undead. And as for sexuality, I mean, come on. You can probably find more in Hanna Montana. Also, remember that this game was not rated M: The ESRB knows what its doing in rating games. Now for the good stuff: I think that this game provides a educational value not only because of the strategy involved, but because of the robust game editor included with it. With this tool, players can take any aspect of the game and make their own maps and challenges, and even create their own heros and villains. The map editor can modify the game in every way, even to produce entirely different games. Also there are monthly map contests with different themes. For example, one month might be sports, in which players have to use the game engine to create a sports-themed map. There are also game-play tournaments. Aside from the map editor, the game itself is very in-depth, featuring 4 different races each with their own specialized units. Players can play multiplayer online or just within your home for fun battles with family and friends. This game will provide hours of fun.

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ON: Content is 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