This is a very fun yet violent actioner. I enjoyed it highly and recommend it. PARENTS: this is a very violent game with vicious finishing moves, vulgar language, and some strong sexually suggestive themes. Thanks for reading and enjoy the game - Movie Man
Watchmen: The End Is Nigh
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Violent but philosophical brawler inspired by the film.
In this game kids can: battle others, become a hero, improve hand-eye coordination, kill humans (with blood), play in a virtual world, strategize
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Watchmen: The End Is Nigh was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that this violent brawler based on characters made famous by the graphic novel and film of the same name is not intended for children. The hand-to-hand combat is exceptionally brutal. Blood and teeth fly through the air, bones can be heard breaking, items like crowbars and bottles can be used to devastating effect, and slow-motion finishing moves are extraordinarily vicious. The game also features overt sexuality. Part of the second episode is set in a strip club, where scantily clad women dance in cages and peep show booths and a mild pornography is shown on a large screen. A superhero named Dr. Manhattan, who wears no clothes, appears briefly in the first episode. Be aware as well that there is strong language throughout, including multiple instances of the f-word. Note that the PlayStation 3 version of the game, subtitled “The Complete Experience” ships with the Blu-ray edition of Zack Snyder’s film, which, like the game, is geared for adult consumption.
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 difference between comic books and graphic novels (and their spin-offs in the world of movies and video games), and the age appropriateness of both. What is the difference between the sort content found in a comic like Spider-Man and something like Watchmen? For what ages do you think both are suitable?
- Families can also discuss the viewpoints espoused by the game’s two leading characters. Do you identify more with the pessimistic Rorschach, who has a grim view of society and people in general, or do you agree with Nite Owl, who has an optimistic attitude and believes in the inherent goodness of humanity?
- Do you think the age appropriateness for Watchman differs for the video game versus the movie? Does controlling the violence versus watching it make a difference?
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More on Watchmen: The End Is Nigh
What’s the Story?
Based on characters from Zack Snyder’s Watchmen film -- which was based on Watchmen graphic novel -- WATCHMEN: THE END IS NIGH is composed of two separate episodes, each of which are just as adult-oriented as their source material. These extremely violent games focus on the prime crime-fighting years of Rorschach and Nite Owl, a pair of masked heroes who use their fists -- and, in the case of Nite Owl, a small assortment of gadgets -- to tear through massive groups of inmates, bikers, strip club guards, and other shady characters who get in their way as they track down their villainous prey. Both episodes were originally released as downloadable games for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PCs, but they have been bundled together for this boxed release. The PlayStation 3 edition costs about $20 more, and comes with the director’s cut of the film on a Blu-ray disc.
Is It Any Good?
Watchmen, which was chosen as one of the 100 best novels of the century by Time Magazine, has been praised for its dense plot, atypically realistic superheroes, and gritty atmosphere. Perhaps surprisingly, much of graphic novel’s essence has been carried into these two games, which feature plenty of intriguing philosophical discussions between their two protagonists, one a half-crazed pessimist and the other an intellectual who believes people are inherently good.
Unfortunately, the action, composed of extremely brutal and realistic melee combat, becomes monotonous after the first couple of chapters as you face wave after wave of cookie-cutter bad guys. Plus, the bland, linear levels feel like simple and repetitive mazes. Fans of the novel and movie will likely enjoy stepping into the shoes of their favorite characters for a while, but they’ll probably grow bored before even finishing the first episode. At least PlayStation 3 owners also get a copy of the film…
Publisher’s Details
Developer: Warner Bros. Games
Released on: 7/21/2009, Price: $29.99-49.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: M for Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong language, Violence
Released on: 7/21/2009, Price: $29.99-49.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: M for Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong language, Violence
Our Members Say
See 14 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Entertaining but Very Violent.
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Entertaining but Very Violent.
This is a very fun yet violent actioner. I enjoyed it highly and recommend it. PARENTS: this is a very violent game with vicious finishing moves, vulgar language, and some strong sexually suggestive themes. Thanks for reading and enjoy the game - Movie Man
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Entertaining but Very Violent.
This is a very fun yet violent actioner. I enjoyed it highly and recommend it. PARENTS: this is a very violent game with vicious finishing moves, vulgar language, and some strong sexually suggestive themes. Thanks for reading and enjoy the game - Movie Man
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Entertaining but Very Violent.
This is a very fun yet violent actioner. I enjoyed it highly and recommend it. PARENTS: this is a very violent game with vicious finishing moves, vulgar language, and some strong sexually suggestive themes. Thanks for reading and enjoy the game - Movie Man
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Kids ages: 17
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it@#$^&%
YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!! YOU X-MEN IS 17 AND OLDER COME ON!!!!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 70% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 60% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 60% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 40% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 30% | of parents say there are good role models |
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