Parents' Guide to

Battlefield Vietnam

By Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Better than many shooters, but still very violent.

Game Windows 2004
Battlefield Vietnam Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

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What’s It About?

Following in the footsteps of its prequel, Battlefield 1942, BATTLEFIELD VIETNAM puts you in the midst of all-out warfare. Don the uniform of either U.S., South Vietnamese or North Vietnamese forces, choose from four \"classes\" of troops, each with different weapon and equipment combinations, and fight through some of the major and minor battles of the Vietnam War.

Vehicles are designed with multiplayer action in mind, while most have spots for additional players to be gunners, or at least catch a ride into the battle. Despite the number of vehicles and options, the controls are relatively easy to master. Flying a helicopter or jet takes some practice, but doesn't require you to be a flight simulator pro. The rest of the game follows along basic first person shooting type controls with the use of the keyboard and mouse.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (10 ):

The game offers more variety than most first-person shooter games and boasts a very interactive game environment. A near top-of-the line computer is required to run the game with the graphic levels it deserves. The game's artificial intelligence players are anything but intelligent; they have particular difficulty flying or driving vehicles. The long load times are put to good use by illustrating various points of interest about the war.

The game is quite violent, and hints at the true terror of the Vietnam War. If you get shot, you may hear yourself choke on your own blood as you collapse to the ground. And in the jungle, it's extremely difficult to tell friend from foe. Although this is too "real" for younger players, older players may begin to comprehend the impact of the war on individual lives.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Vietnam War. The game provides an excellent jumping-off point for parents and teens to discuss the war and era. Personal accounts could add a great deal of depth to the game, and discussions could branch into topics not touched upon in the game.

Game Details

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