Contract Killer
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Contract Killer is a very gritty, first-person shooter where you are a hitman in a very realistic urban environment, making it not for kids (don't be fooled by Glu's self-rating at age 12+). Players are tasked, mission after mission, to kill people they don't know, and the game encourages players to take out their targets from an unsuspecting sniper range. Players are also encouraged to shoot their victims in the head, and there are minor blood effects throughout. Some of the other gritty elements usually associated with this genre, like drugs and sex, don't appear here, but that is mainly because the game is light on storyline. Action is the dominant factor at play, and all of the action is focused on assassinating specified targets. Parents should also know that even though the game is a free download, there are relentless pitches in the game for players to purchase items and levels with real money. Additionally, users can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is strictly optional.
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Is It Any Good?
In this app for mature players, CONTRACT KILLER has too many killing missions and not enough of an underlying story to make it a sustainable adventure. So even though the game looks great and has some impressive graphics, it falls short due to the lack of a cohesive plot or any real motivation to continue through the numerous missions. The gameplay itself is markedly blase, bringing nothing especially new or interesting to the table. Those who enjoy action games may appreciate the various environments that players must traverse to reach their designated targets, and the frenetic pacing of the missions.
However, even those who like this blaze-through-and-shoot-down-people action may be turned off by the extensive microtransaction system in the game. The concept of making a game free to download and then charging users to access premium features is a growing trend on iTunes, but this title takes it to an extreme, requiring players to pay each time they want to get a new weapon, unlock a new level, or do anything that requires in-game currency. Be warned that even though the price is listed as "Free," to get the full experience will easily cost more than $30.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: March 30, 2011
- Category: Action Games
- Publisher: Glu Games Inc.
- Version: 1.0.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 3.0 or later, Android 2.0 and up
- Last updated: August 22, 2016
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