| 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. |
Parents need to know that this Tarantino-like, third-person shooter game is certainly not for young eyes (or ears). While not pushing the envelope, it's pretty close to it, as it is full of violence, gore, sex, alcohol, drugs, and profanity. Between it's slice-and-dice action (some shown in slow motion), where the female gun-for-hire leaves a bloody body count in her wake, and the very frequent obscene language, parents should take heed to this game's suggested rating that it is only appropriate for players age 17 or older.
While chasing a thug through Chinatown's dingy back alleys and rooftops, you dive to avoid gunfire, swing from balcony ledges and even slide down a ladder – upside-down – all the while pegging enemies with your gun. After taking down a few dozen baddies with your sword and pistols, you take a swig of whiskey, toss the bottle in the air and shoot a bullet through it. All in a day's work as Rubi Malone, an attractive and acrobatic gun-for-hire in a new third-person shooter called WET. With its grainy film-like look, multiple camera angles, and '70s-style soundtrack, this slick shooter seems to be an interactive nod to over-the-top retro action flicks, Hong Kong brawlers, and perhaps spaghetti westerns, too.
While the game drips of style and attitude, it also comes off as trying too hard to be cool. For example, every single time Rubi jumps into the air or slides across the floor, it kicks into slow-motion -- therefore losing its dramatic effect after a short while. The game also contains so much swearing that it, too, loses its edge and comes off as plain silly. While the game follows a somewhat linear path, the game isn't a disaster -- Rubi's acrobatic moves and combat techniques can be fun to master -- but less-than-responsive control often translates to a frustrating experience until you can get over the learning curve. New modes can also be unlocked once the story campaign is completed, adding to Wet's replayability. However, depending on whether or not you like this type of over-the-top violent game, you might not have the desire to return to the action.
Families can talk about whether this game needed to be this violent to achieve the same movie-like effect. Perhaps the designers felt the Tarantino-like thrill kills were integral to the experience, and it would be missing something without it. Same with the language, alcohol consumption, and profanity. Could it have been made equally as well without the over-the top violence and other vices?
| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Third-person shooter |
| Developer: | Bethesda Softworks |
| Release date: | September 15, 2009 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language |
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