Battlestar Galactica Online

Common Sense Media says

TV-based sci-fi combat MMO is about blasting spaceships.

Age(i)

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Quality(i)

 

Learning(i)

(i)
Buy
Write a review
See all 1 user reviews

Battlestar Galactica Online gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

The game is based on the television show and is about fighting for survival.

Positive role models

All characters are adults, and mission givers are strong leaders from the television show, such as Admiral Adama of the Colonials. Both sides are strong in their convictions and goals.

Ease of play

There is a bit of a learning curve as kids figure out how to maneuver their starships in space and learn the ship upgrade system. Otherwise, controls are simple and camera angles easily controlled with mouse and keyboard. Plus auto-targeting makes dog-fitting in space easier to win.

Violence

This is a space combat game with lasers and missiles, accompanied by graphical explosions and sound. However, it's all ship combat so although spaceships explode, there is no blood, gore, or depictions of characters' deaths. All ships respawn (reappear) after defeat.

Sex

All player characters are dressed in full uniform or are cyborgs. However, some female human characters (Captain Starbuck from the television show) can be seen in revealing tank tops.

Language

Text is all mission based and based on the television show, there is no troublesome language save for "frack." New human players are referred to by the mildly derogatory term "nugget."

Consumerism

The game is free to play but players will find easy access to the game store, which sells items for "cubits" as well as "tylium" -- both of which can be purchased for real cash.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable
Privacy & safety

Some privacy and safety concerns. There are no safety measures directed toward kids as this is a 13+ game. As with other MMO (massively multiplayer online) games, players do better when playing in groups. Player guilds and forums are available for players to chat on, and although not built into the game, many players use voice chat to coordinate battles. Kids could be communicating with strangers in these forums.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Battlestar Galactica Online is a massively multiplayer online space combat game with player versus player duels. There is no character combat, and hence no blood and gore. But the space vessel combat features lasers, missiles, and plenty of explosions. The game is browser based, free to play, and can be accessed from many different sites, including the SyFy channel site. There is an online store where kids could be tempted to spend real money.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

  • astronomy
  • motion

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • decision-making
  • strategy

Collaboration

  • cooperation
  • meeting challenges together
  • teamwork

What Kids Can Learn

Battlestar Galactica Online was not created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

  • astronomy
  • motion

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • decision-making
  • strategy

Collaboration

  • cooperation
  • meeting challenges together
  • teamwork

Battlestar Galactica Online was not created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

This Learning Rating review was written by Carolyn Koh

Parents say

See 1 parent review
AGE
17
QUALITY
 
Review this title!

Kids say

Not yet rated
Review this title!

What's it about?

In BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ONLINE, both the Colonial (human) fleet and the Cylons find themselves lost and stranded in an unexplored area on the very edge of the galaxy. Racing to survive by searching out scarce resources, the Cylons and Colonial fleets are bent on destroying the other. The ultimate goal is the search for Earth, the legendary home of the 13th colony. The Cylons seek to destroy it, while the Colonials strive to preserve it.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Battlestar Galactica Online is an action combat game rather than a role-playing game. Unlike many MMORPGs, the story is there only for background and setting, with the game being unashamedly a space shooter. Graphically, the game is beautiful and combat sounds add to the fun of space combat. There are two parts to the game: resource gathering (which can be mindlessly boring but encourages players to group in order to chat and also combine efforts) and the spaceship fighting (in which you can upgrade your ships for better fire power and durability). The space combat is fast and furious and with good teamwork, can be quite a kick. Unfortunately, players can't avoid the boring resource gathering unless players buy the upgrades with real cash. This can create an uneven playing field, but player skill still counts for more than good ships and weapons.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about games that are tied into television shows and how they can create interest and sales for both the game and the show. Did the television show make you interested in playing this game?

  • Online games such as Battlestar Galactica are time-intensive to play. Families might want to talk about setting time limits and playing responsibly, taking breaks, and balancing games with other activities. 

Game details

Platforms:Windows, Mac
Price:Free / microtransactions
Available online?Not available online
Developer:Bigpoint
Release date:December 1, 2011
Genre:Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Topics:Space and aliens
ESRB rating:NR for (Mac, Windows)

This review of Battlestar Galactica Online was written by

Carolyn Koh

About our rating system

  • 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 of any age.

Find out more

Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.
Read more

See more about how we rate and review.

Great handpicked alternatives

For kids who love playing social games

Best MMOGs
Facebook Games for Teens
See all recommended game lists

Browse more games

Top advice and articles

What parents and kids say

See all user reviews

Share your thoughts with other parents and kids Write a user review

A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines

Adult Written bymrsiu2015 February 3, 2015
AGE
17
QUALITY
 
LEARNING

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ROCKS!!!!!

What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
Safety and privacy concerns
Was this review useful?
Flag as inappropriate 

See all user reviewsWrite a user review

Poll

Did our review help you make an informed decision about this product?

Poll

What are the different ways that you access Common Sense Media ratings and information? (Check all that apply)

Essential Apps Guide