Common Sense Media Review
Bloody but powerful first-person WWII shooter.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 48 parent reviews
Based on 110 kid reviews
Kids say this game is a fun and educational way to experience World War II, with a focus on historical events and character engagement rather than excessive violence or bloodshed. While some reviews note its limitations in graphics and story, many players appreciate its relatively mild language and suggest it is appropriate for younger audiences, particularly in comparison to other titles in the franchise.
- fun gameplay
- educational value
- mild language
- appropriate for kids
- limited blood
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
In CALL OF DUTY 3, players control an infantryman marching through France after the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Working with Allied forces (players buddy up with the French Resistance, Polish troops, Scottish soldiers, and others), players participate in some of the fiercest fighting of the European ground war. In rural towns like Saint Lo, Mortain, and Chambois, players storm German positions on strategic hills, go house-to-house to clear enemies from French villages, and secure critical infrastructure (such as bridges and ports). Cut scenes elaborate on the war strategy -- giving some much-needed context -- but the game forgoes traditional narrative; instead it uses occasional bits of gallows humor or an intra-squad flare-up to set the scene.
Is It Any Good?
Whether fighting face-to-face in the trenches, commandeering a jeep, or serving as a sniper spotter on the back of a tank, Call of Duty 3 keeps the action engaging. Battles are challenging, but can always be accomplished with a little ingenuity and nerve. The only failing here is the unrealistic torrent of enemies that appear at certain points of the game, undermining best-laid plans with a lame advantage for the computer.
All is forgiven with graphics and detail that define next-generation gaming. Looking through a rifle sight, players' first-person perspective takes a moment to adjust focus from a nearby object to an object in the distance. Environments are genuinely disorienting, giving players a number of options to approach enemy positions -- some more vulnerable than others. The mixture of intensity and detail makes Call of Duty 3 a sometimes-harrowing game experience. While not as violent as some other shooters, Call of Duty 3 gets the blood pumping like few games can.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of WWII games. Is there something about this particular conflict that lends itself to video game treatment? What is different about wars like Vietnam or the current war in Iraq that make them more or less suited to game recreation? Does the historical content of this game make it educational -- or is that aspect just an attempt to legitimize another shoot-'em-up?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , Xbox , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Activision
- Release date : November 7, 2006
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 15, 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