Gears of War

Game review by Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media
Gears of War Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Hot sci-fi shooter for adults only.

Xbox 360 2006
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 45 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 111 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this action game is not for kids or tweens -- it's an "M"-rated military shooter that, while against aliens, is realistically violent and gory. Need an example? You can use a chainsaw to rip apart enemies or use machine guns to spray them down. The game has an online component; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under age 12.

Community Reviews

Robert E.
Robert E. Adult
June 24, 2020
age 16+

There's more than just blood...

While yes, you can turn off the strong language and splattering blood, there are a few scenes that some players may find disturbing. Almost instantly after you start playing, you are forced to enter a room with dead humans hanging from hooks with nails through their limbs, the flesh all ripped off, nothing but bones, muscles and organs. Some of the bodies are missing limbs, or are half gone completey! This is inevitable, and you will see this no matter what you do. And even if you turn off the Extreme Content (as the game calls it) it doesnt change the fact that most enemies will be blown apart, limbs flying, especially if you use the chainsaw bayonet. So no matter how you look at it, this game is pretty intense. Turning off Extreme Content will just eliminate F-bombs and excessive blood. There is still a fair bit of language, and TONS of violence.
Ellie S.
Ellie S. Adult
August 11, 2017
age 12+

The problems of the rating system

Hi my name is Ellie, alot of parents just see the mature rating on a game and think it's not right for there child well today I'm here to tell you the truth: My husband used to work at PEGI (British rating system) and in his time there eventually ended up resenting the system here's why I'll give you a quick insight to the PEGI system: there are a few factors that make a games rating those include: violence, swearing, sex, discrimination, drug use and online features the only problem is that there's no difference in ratings so as an example this game gears of war is violent but nothing worse than a 12+ movie (James bond as an example) then this game also has swearing whereas, overwatch has just a slightly lower level of violence than gears but cut out the Swearing and that games is a 12+ rating the system is broken also they have to make it from a softies perspective so a person who has a lower mental age than there actual age is gonna think this game is to violent and this game doesn't promote drugs or alcohol or sex or any mature themes like that and even if that doesn't persuade you in this entire game you never kill any human beings or innocent creatures only aliens who are trying to kill you so to any parents out there who think the rating says so it must be true have a talk with your kids and understand why they want to play these games also nothing changes in gears 2 or 3 so they are the same to Best regards, Ellie

This title has:

Great role models
Easy to play/use
See all 45 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Microsoft Game Studios' GEARS OF WAR is an action-heavy sci-fi shooter that places a heavy emphasis on using items for cover and exchanging blows with the vicious E.T. race known as the Locust Horde. Players assume the role of a beefy futuristic soldier in the effort to rid the world of nightmarish alien creatures through tactical warfare. Played from a third-person perspective, players must carefully assess areas for cover, find ammo, and take on the enemies until the coast is clear to continue to the next area.

Weapons range from pistols and shotguns to grenades, assault rifles, and the Hammer of Dawn, which communicates with a satellite that beams down a deadly laser strike that can level buildings. Taking cover is as easy as pressing the A button on the controller when near a solid object. Press the analog stick to the left or right and you'll peek around to assess the threat. Press A again to re-enter the freeform mode to walk, roll, and find another hiding place.

Is It Any Good?

The game's strengths lie in the tense action, smart artificial intelligence, and multiplayer modes on the same television or via the Xbox Live online service ($50 a year). The game offers plenty of atmosphere, adding to the wonderful sense of anxiety and excitement. Gears of War is easily the best-looking Xbox 360 game to date thanks to photorealistic characters, detailed environments, and special effects.

A handful of head-to-head battle modes are included in the game, including Warzone, pitting humans versus the Locusts, and Assassination, where the goal is to kill the leader of the opposing team. Xbox 360 fans in search of a gorgeous but gory game combining tactical action with horror elements will love fighting though this challenging adventure. Play through the game once and it unlocks an incredibly difficult mode, with even meaner enemies.

Online interaction: Online play with open chat may lead to profanity.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why older kids might be attracted to this game. Is it the story? Graphics? Violence? Online play? Since the enemies are extraterrestrials -- essentially already dehumanized for you -- is it easier to get into the violence of the game? What if the enemies were human -- would it make a difference to you?

  • What impact does playing a violent video game have on you?

Game Details

  • Platform: Xbox 360
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Microsoft
  • Release date: November 9, 2006
  • Genre: Third-Person Shooter
  • ESRB rating: M for blood and gore, intense violence, strong language
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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