Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory and profane sci-fi shooter definitely not for kids.
Parents Need to Know
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Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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Bulletstorm
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say the game is filled with extreme violence, crude humor, and strong language, making it highly inappropriate for younger players despite some enjoying the over-the-top gameplay. While there are options to tone down certain elements, many reviews emphasize its mature content and addictive nature, with mixed feelings on the storytelling overshadowed by the graphic nature of the game.
- extreme violence
- crude humor
- strong language
- mature content
- addictive gameplay
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
If the name BULLETSTORM doesn't give it away, this is an extremely violent, futuristic shooter. It tells of a space pirate, Grayson Hunt, and his cyborg sidekick, Ishi Sato, who crash-land on the planet Stygia. Problem is, this once-peaceful vacation spot in the galaxy is now overrun by mutated criminals, flesh-eating plants, and larger-than-life boss characters. While trying to escape and exact revenge on their previous boss, the protagonists have to battle their way through hordes of enemies and navigate through dangerous environments. Played from a first-person perspective, the action is fast, gory, and over-the-top in presentation and gameplay.
Is It Any Good?
Bulletstorm can be fun, but only for those who enjoy violent and irreverent first-person shooters (think Duke Nukem and Serious Sam). At the heart of the action is a "skillshot" system that rewards players for performing kills in a creative function. By stringing your moves together -- kicking, shooting, whipping, sliding, and running -- you can create unique skillshots for bonus points. You can even pause the game to see which skillshots you've performed and which ones haven't been attempted yet. Along with the single-player campaign, the game has online modes and downloadable content. While not likely to win any "Best of the Year" game awards, this shooter will appeal to those looking for exaggerated action with gory visuals.
Online interaction: The game is playable online for all three versions of the game: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Up to four players can play at the same time over the Internet in a number of multiplayer modes. A headset microphone is supported, which means players can talk to each other while fighting online. That means players may be exposed to foul language and inappropriate topics of conversation, and that they can share personal information.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether players are desensitized to violence after playing these kinds of games. Do violent games breed violent behavior in real life? Can they make someone crave violence after the game is turned off? Could it possibly act as a safe way for mature players to de-stress and blow off steam?
Families can also discuss the game's carefree use of sexual insults and profanity. How do you react to this sort of language? Could the game have been as edgy or extreme without it?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : February 22, 2011
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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