Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Full-frontal male nudity shocks in hefty expansion with matu
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say this game is not suitable for younger audiences due to its graphic violence, nudity, and mature themes, with several reviewers emphasizing the importance of age ratings. However, some players appreciated the engaging gameplay and story, suggesting it contains deeper messages about loyalty and morality, but ultimately agreeing it should be reserved for older teens and adults.
- inappropriate content
- engaging gameplay
- age restrictions
- moral messages
- dark themes
- player responsibility
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Forget everything you know about downloadable content ("DLC") for your video games, such as extra songs, a bonus level, or a new multiplayer map. Rockstar Games' GRAND THEFT AUTO IV: THE LOST AND DAMNED (1600 Microsoft Points, or $19.99), the first of two planned episodes for Xbox 360 owners of Grand Theft Auto IV, redefines what's possible in DLC with the beefiest game expansion to date. But as with the main game, The Lost and Damned is laden with mature content and should be kept away -- far away -- from children.
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Is It Any Good?
Rather than tackle missions by yourself, this expansion is all about "gang banging" with your crew, such as riding (or racing) the streets in a pack and partaking in many gang wars together. The hogs handle nicely, so there shouldn't be a learning curve when it comes to the controls. As with past "GTA" games, The Lost and Damned can get quite violent, even from the first scene when someone's face is pressed against a spinning motorcycle wheel at a bike shop.
Along with the new single-player missions, the downloadable game offers many new multiplayer modes including the ability to smack opponents off their bikes while in a race to the finish line and a co-op mode where you can either protect a bus filled with informants or ride a hog as part of The Lost gang determined to destroy it and the snitches inside. Needless-to-say, the content is designed for a mature gamer and for someone who enjoys the virtual, visceral thrill offered by past "GTA" bad boy games. With this in mind, it truly is a fun ride worth considering.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Rockstar likes to push the envelope and garner controversy over its games? Why did they have to put full-frontal nudity in the game if it's not integral to the story? Do they correlate media outrage with extraordinary game sales? Do players expect Rockstar to stir up controversy with each of its titles, including the Manhunt and Bully series? Families can also talk about the impact of video game violence on players and why so many parents question whether GTA games are appropriate for kids. On an unrelated note, should Rockstar make this game available to PlayStation 3 owners instead of delivering an Xbox 360 exclusive?
Game Details
- Platform : Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Rockstar Games
- Release date : February 17, 2009
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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