Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Massive arcade-like military strategy game.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
What's It About?
Relive history or rewrite it with Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's BATTLESTATIONS: PACIFIC, an epic World War II thriller that's roughly twice the size of its acclaimed predecessor, Battlestations: Midway. Nearly 30 single-player missions make up the two massive campaigns, along with a myriad of online multiplayer modes -- including Island Capture, Duel, Siege, Escort and Competitive -- allowing up to eight players (four versus four) to climb into any plane, ship, or sub during the Pacific War.
You choose whether you want to take on the historically-based U.S. campaign or command the IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) fleet and attempt to change the outcome of the war. Battlestations: Pacific successfully fuses real-time strategy with action, therefore you'll need to plan your moves carefully to remain one step ahead of the enemy before executing orders to attack or defend (depending on the mission objectives).
Is It Any Good?
Even if you haven't laid your hands on its predecessor, learning how to take control over 100 authentic and prototype air, sea, and underwater units (21 more than the last game), is quite easy -- and rewarding. Gamers will have access to fighters, bombers, kamikaze planes, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other units at their disposal. Along with the high-definition graphics, players can choose a desired camera (including a first-person cockpit perspective or third-person outside view), fight the enemy at different times of the day and in varied weather conditions. WWII buffs or strategy nuts should enjoy playing through this game, which especially shines in its multiplayer modes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether a game about a real war should be played as "entertainment"...or is this insensitive to the many American men and women who lost their lives (or loved ones) during this war. Why do you think Konami recently cancelled 'Six Days In Fallujah'? How would that game be different from this one?
Game Details
- Platforms : Xbox 360 , Windows
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Eidos Interactive
- Release date : May 13, 2009
- Genre : Strategy
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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
Suggest an Update
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