Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty, violent military shooter for adults only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Battlefield 3
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 49 parent reviews
Parents say that the game features moderate violence with minimal blood and gore, making it generally more suitable for older children, particularly those familiar with other shooter games like Call of Duty. However, the frequent strong language poses a concern for many parents, prompting suggestions to mute the audio or adjust language settings to mitigate exposure to inappropriate content.
- violence moderate
- language concern
- player teamwork
- suitable ages 12+
- graphics impressive
- gameplay immersive
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 88 kid reviews
Kids say the game is a mixed bag of experiences with many agreeing on its high-quality graphics and engaging multiplayer gameplay, yet strong language and themes of violence raise concerns for younger players. While some reports suggest it's suitable for teens aged 13 and up, many warn that the frequent profanity and occasional blood effects make it more appropriate for those who are more mature.
- strong language
- multiplayer focus
- mature themes
- engaging graphics
- rated for teens
- violence moderated
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
BATTLEFIELD 3's single-player campaign tells a story of terrorists threatening the Western world with nuclear weapons. Players take control of several soldiers fighting the menace in locations around the world, from Tehran to Paris. Some of these warriors are ground troops specialized in sniping and front line assaults, while others are masters of military hardware, including a jet gunner and a tank driver. The narrative is filled with terrifying moments, including unexpected knife battles and horrific events experienced from a first-person perspective.
Online play, meanwhile, sees players engaging in massive and frenetic fracases with up to 64 players in the PC version and 24 players in the console editions. Players work in teams to capture control points, defend or take objectives, or simply rack up the most kills. Battlefield 3 also introduces Battlelog, an online community that can be accessed outside of the game on a computer and allows players to track their progress and communicate with other players.
Is It Any Good?
Though visually spectacular -- imagine an urban warzone in the midst of an earthquake -- Battlefield 3's single-player campaign is a bit of a mess. Its pulled-from-the-headlines story strives for a resonance that it never quite achieves. It's plagued with minor glitches -- we experienced suddenly muted weapons, characters moving through walls, and even a sequence where we were swimming in the air. Most frustrating of all, enemies are at once extremely predictable and extraordinarily good shots, which equates to an unfair challenge and diminishing surprises. It's seven hours of merely moderate fun.
Multiplayer, on the other hand, is extraordinarily satisfying. Matches populated with dozens of players covering enormous maps filled with a broad range of military hardware make for epic combat experiences. Weapons, vehicles, and soldier classes are diverse but finely balanced, allowing players to experiment with different styles of play. And expertly designed character progression means players will be enticed to continue playing for months to come. While gamers devoted to well-crafted single-player experiences may want to take a pass, Battlefield 3 is an essential play for adults with a passion for online first-person shooters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in games. How do you determine which games are too violent for your teens? How do you ensure that they don't experience these games outside your home? Do you try to explain why some games are unsuitable for their age?
Families can also discuss online safety. What would you do if you ran into a bully or predator online? What sort of markers should you look for to identify them?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : October 25, 2011
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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