The Witch and the Hundred Knight

age 14+

Lackluster action RPG has potentially offensive content.

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Platform: PlayStation 3
Price: $49.99
Genre: Role Playing

What parents need to know

Positive messages

The game is rooted in combat, and you don't really know why you're fighting so much other than wanting to destroy other witches and expand your reach.

Positive role models

You play as a swamp witch named Metallia, whose companion creature is called the Hundred Knight; the two of you roam the marshland to destroy enemies using might and magic. You don't get a clear sense of why you're killing these inhabitants of the world other than trying to stop other witches from gaining power.

Ease of play

The PlayStation 3 controller is effective at controlling your characters, using mostly the analog sticks for player movement around the angled, top-down maps. It's not a difficult game to play, and there's a short tutorial mode.

Violence

Although it's not overly gory or very realistic, this action-heavy role-playing game (RPG) is very much centered around violence. Using a variety of weapons (such as swords and clubs), you'll kill thousands of fantasy-like creatures, humanoids, plants, and more. There's some blood and gore in the game, but the top-down view makes it hard to see great detail.

Sex

Some scantily clad characters, including the main character of the witch and a sexy prisoner (wrapped up in bondage gear, no less). There's even partial nudity on a giant green "boss character" with exposed breasts. There also are some sexual comments, including, "You let me fondle and squeeze your boobs for a while" and "I think your stupid t-ts are each the size of a whole cooked turkey."

Language

Along with words such as "t-ts" and "boobs," the dialogue sequences contain words such as "s--t," "prick," "damn," "pissed off," and "hell."

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Witch and the Hundred Knight is an action RPG game that has plenty of violence (such as the destruction of hundreds of fantasy characters), blood, partial nudity (exposed breasts), sexually charged dialogue, and moderate profanity (from "s--t" to "t-ts"). Although clearly fantasy-based, the material in this game might upset or offend some parents, and the overt focus on combat and violence may be of concern, because the characters' only reasons for fighting are to gain more power and destroy enemies.

What's it about?

THE WITCH AND THE HUNDRED KNIGHT is from the makers of the cult hit Disgaea and is an action-heavy RPG. It stars a swamp witch named Metallia, who forges a pact with the legendary Hundred Knight to help her dominate the land of Meda by expanding her reach and disposing of those who stand in her way. The duo travels across vast lands and dungeons to defeat enemies big and small -- including other witches and the mighty Forest Knight, who won't take Metallia's might lying down. With action and humor, gamers will traverse the lands, increase their strength and abilities, and use swords and magic to reign supreme.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Gamers who like quirky Japanese RPGs such as Disgaea might enjoy the gameplay, graphics, and atmosphere of NIS America's The Witch and the Hundred Knight. The gameplay is accessible, lighthearted, and expansive, but it really doesn't break any new ground for the genre. Plus, combat gets repetitive after a while, and the dialogue sequences border on silly and offensive. The developer didn't try to make the story understandable to those unfamiliar with its brand of humor, which could alienate some players from even trying the game. And, although there are many areas to explore, there isn't any replayability after you finish the single-player adventure. This game might be best picked up at a discount in the bargain bins.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about the mature themes in The Witch and the Hundred Knight. How does the content impact whom it's appropriate for? Do you believe that companies use these themes to promote and sell games such as these to kids, even though many parents wouldn't approve?
Some dialogue and content could be considered offensive. What's the rationale for including this kind of material in a game?

Game details

Platforms:	PlayStation 3
Price:	$49.99
Pricing structure:	Paid
Available online?	Not available online
Developer:	NIS America
Release date:	April 29, 2014
Genre:	Role Playing
Topics:	Magic and fantasy, Adventures, Monsters, ghosts, and vampires
ESRB rating:	T for Blood, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes

This review of The Witch and the Hundred Knight was written by

Marc Saltzman

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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