Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nonstop violent swordplay but no blood, for older teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Red Steel 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say the game is a fun and engaging experience, especially praised for its improved controls and visuals compared to its predecessor, offering a mix of sword fighting and shooting. While some reviews note the presence of mild violence, scantily clad character designs, and some cursing, many agree that it remains a solid choice for older children and tweens.
- fun gameplay
- mild violence
- improved controls
- appropriate for older kids
- visual appeal
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Don't let its name fool you; other than the fact that players wield a sword and a gun concurrently, RED STEEL 2 has absolutely nothing in common with its predecessor. While the first game takes place in a realistic modern world, its sequel is set in a dystopian desert town that feels like it's from the future, despite obvious influences from both the Wild West and 19th century Japan. It's pure fantasy. Our hero is an exiled, pistol- and katana-wielding samurai who returns to his home town only to find it occupied by villains and his brethren slaughtered. He embarks on a quest to find out what happened and exact vengeance on any enemies who stand in his way. This is the first action game to require Nintendo's MotionPlus attachment, which is supposed to provide true one-to-one control, thus allowing for exacting sword movements. That means that unless you already own one of these peripherals (they came with last summer's Wii Sports Resort or can be purchased separately), you'll need to buy the premium version of the game, which comes bundled with a MotionPlus attachment.
Is It Any Good?
Red Steel 2 is definitely a better game than its predecessor, which dashed many hardcore gamers' motion sensitivity hopes when it didn't deliver the sort of one-to-one real world mimicry they had imagined. Controlling our hero's sword in this pseudo-sequel is much more natural and realistic. There are times, especially when blocking, that the sword hilt on screen almost perfectly mirrors our real-world movements. Other activities, such as twisting combination locks on safes, deliver similarly realistic control.
However, players will likely come away at least a little disappointed with the most important mechanic: Swinging a sword. The game registers vertical, diagonal, and horizontal slashes with better accuracy than any other sword fighting game on the Wii, but it's still a long way from perfect replication. You'll need to make careful, exaggerated movements, and there are times when swipes simply aren't recognized. That's not to say the action isn't fun; it's simply not the "deadly precision" advertised on the box.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how children develop and change in their teens, and how the maturity and experience gained through the passage of time may better prepare some kids for certain types of entertainment. Just because a product is rated appropriate for "teens" doesn't necessarily mean all 13- and 14-year-olds are ready for it.
Families can also discuss the game's artistry. The developers chose to eschew realism and make the game look almost like a graphic novel. Do you think this style makes the action and characters more or less compelling? How do you think the game would have changed in atmosphere and intensity had the developers worked towards a more photorealistic look?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo Wii
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : March 23, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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