Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tarantino-like bloodbath with acrobatic gunning and slicing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Wet
What's It About?
While chasing a thug through Chinatown's dingy back alleys and rooftops, you dive to avoid gunfire, swing from balcony ledges and even slide down a ladder – upside-down – all the while pegging enemies with your gun. After taking down a few dozen baddies with your sword and pistols, you take a swig of whiskey, toss the bottle in the air and shoot a bullet through it. All in a day's work as Rubi Malone, an attractive and acrobatic gun-for-hire in a new third-person shooter called WET. With its grainy film-like look, multiple camera angles, and '70s-style soundtrack, this slick shooter seems to be an interactive nod to over-the-top retro action flicks, Hong Kong brawlers, and perhaps spaghetti westerns, too.
Is It Any Good?
While the game drips of style and attitude, it also comes off as trying too hard to be cool. For example, every single time Rubi jumps into the air or slides across the floor, it kicks into slow-motion -- therefore losing its dramatic effect after a short while. The game also contains so much swearing that it, too, loses its edge and comes off as plain silly. While the game follows a somewhat linear path, the game isn't a disaster -- Rubi's acrobatic moves and combat techniques can be fun to master -- but less-than-responsive control often translates to a frustrating experience until you can get over the learning curve. New modes can also be unlocked once the story campaign is completed, adding to Wet's replayability. However, depending on whether or not you like this type of over-the-top violent game, you might not have the desire to return to the action.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether this game needed to be this violent to achieve the same movie-like effect. Perhaps the designers felt the Tarantino-like thrill kills were integral to the experience, and it would be missing something without it. Same with the language, alcohol consumption, and profanity. Could it have been made equally as well without the over-the top violence and other vices?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Bethesda Softworks
- Release date : September 15, 2009
- Genre : Third-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : August 31, 2016
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