25 to Life
By Chris Jozefowicz,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Crude game is criminally bad -- adults only.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this game.
Where to Play
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
perfect for older kids but bad for young kids
Report this review
the game can have kids play it
Report this review
What’s It About?
The plot of 25 TO LIFE features interlocking stories involving a family-man criminal attempting to go straight, a violent drug dealer, and the police (both crooked and upstanding) who try to stop them. Each of the 12 story chapters consists of a march along a linear path gunning down pretty much everyone in sight. With an assortment of guns and explosives, players blow away police, thugs, and civilians, spraying blood against walls and bits of brains on the ground.
The online action is more engaging than the single-player game: Gamers participate in 16-player, team-based matches, and can customize their characters with scores of unlockable clothing and appearance options. The action includes such staples as death match- and capture-the-flag-type play.
Is It Any Good?
The game's levels are short, repetitive, and ugly. The single-player game offers little surprise or excitement, just shoot, shoot, shoot. Spray-paint a wall, use a body as a human shield, and shoot, shoot, shoot. It's non-stop tedious gameplay.
Characters swear profusely -- in English and Spanish -- in the dialogue, and the soundtrack of licensed songs is filled with profane boasting. In the end, 25 to Life is overly gritty and badly executed. Even adult players should skip this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violent content. What is appealing about this content -- and when do game makers cross the line? How might constant exposure to violent games affect kids? Does violence make the games realistic or more exciting, or just attract attention in a crowded marketplace?
Game Details
- Platform: Xbox
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Eidos Interactive
- Release date: February 7, 2006
- Genre: Third-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating: M for Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Play
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate