Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Master Chief returns in sci-fi battle that's more violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Halo 4
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 64 parent reviews
Parents say that this game is often viewed as extremely enjoyable and suitable for children, although opinions vary on its violence level and suitable age for play. Many parents believe it is appropriate for kids as young as 9 to 12, citing minimal blood and gore, while others express concerns over the game’s rating and its treatment of violence, arguing that it is less intense compared to other titles in the genre.
- fun gaming experience
- age suitability debate
- minimal violence
- parental guidance suggested
- favorable role models
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 311 kid reviews
What's It About?
HALO 4, the Master Chief's first new adventure in five years, picks up right where its predecessor left off, with a broken UNSC ship floating dead in space. The Chief rests inside in cryosleep, the artificial intelligence Cortana holding watch. It's not long, however, before the vessel falls under attack by Covenant forces, and the Chief soon finds himself crashing onto the surface of a strange alien world. The story that follows reveals new details about the Forerunners (the ancient aliens who designed the series' titular halos), exposes a new threat to humanity, and delves into the Chief's close friendship with Cortana, who is suffering a kind of digital mental breakdown. In addition to the six hour campaign, which shows off new weapons and vehicles (including alien rifles and a towering UNSC mech), players can look forward to more of Halo's trademark multiplayer action, including a serialized cooperative campaign composed of new episodes releasing on a weekly basis.
Is It Any Good?
The Master Chief's long-awaited return manages to live up to the series' daunting reputation, delivering an experience that feels very much like a classic Halo game while adding a few new elements to the formula. Missions are fast-paced and often spectacular, new enemies are smart and challenging, and online play is extremely habit-forming. Plus, players finally get to peer a little more deeply into the Master Chief's soul thanks to a narrative that sees him fighting through hordes of deadly enemies to save his ailing digital friend Cortana. (Turns out he's a bit of a softie when it comes to his long-time A.I. companion.)
One wishes the campaign lasted a little longer, and that the co-op missions had more shape and a deeper narrative, but these are minor criticisms. Halo 4 is the sort of game that many players will keep in their consoles for weeks on end, making it a great value for the grownup gamers it's intended to entertain.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in media. Do you feel differently fighting fantastical aliens instead of realistic human enemies?
Families can also discuss online safety. What precautions do you observe in games with open voice communication? What do you do when you encounter strangers engaging in inappropriate behavior?
Game Details
- Platform : Xbox 360
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Creativity : making new creations , producing new content , Thinking & Reasoning : strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Microsoft Studios
- Release date : November 6, 2012
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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