christiangamer

Many parents are probably checking out the “Holiday Buying Guides” trying to decide what games to get for the kiddos this year.  Here is a quick rundown of the four most anticipated (according to Gamestop’s current best selling list) that are out or coming out this season and what ratings apply: (Note that all four of the top-selling games are rated M)

#4  

Assassin’s Creed 2.  M for mature.  Well, a decent game about killing people who usually deserve it (but don’t we all?) deserves a sequel, right?  It does when it sells ridiculously well!  I think this is going to be a big seller this season due to the hype surrounding it and much like the first game, there’ll be lots of killin’…

Most of what parent’s need to know is pretty obvious from the title alone.  You play as an assassin.  You kill people in fairly brutal, highly efficient ways.  It’s pretty much looking like the same game as the first with new features and a different protagonist/storyline.  I hear that some non-gratuitous sexual content will make it into the game, as it seems the new assassin Ezio is a “ladies man” of sorts.  Lots of kids will be wanting this game this year.

#3  

Dragon Age: Origins.  M for Mature.  I was actually surprised to see this in the list.  Bioware is known for making seriously epic RPG’s but even though it’s my favorite genre, I felt this game was coming in under the radar with all of the other big games being released this season.  THis is the one game on the list that I have played, and man; it’s amazing!  I love it for it’s setting, story, and RPG tactical combat and gameplay…  But I have to caution parents about the game.  It’s certainly geared towards adults.  There are some very “mature” themes, and although on the surface, it looks like a Lord of the Rings clone, it is much, much darker and bloodier.  Also present are seemingly complex relationship building that may or may not result in sex scenes/nudity.  It’s a bit overblown and non-gratuitous, but it seems like they are making it a selling-point-feature of the game, “buy our game and you’ll see breasts, kids!”  Needless to say, it’s needless; and tacky.  Other than that the game is compelling, smart, well-written, well-voiced and epic.

#2  

Left 4 Dead 2.  M for Mature.  In Left 4 Dead there was little to no story – it was you and three other “survivors” against (countable, actually) hordes of zombies that wanted to kill you.  You had to work together, think fast, and aim true.  The kids loved this one and aside from the arcadey feel I liked it too.  It was mindless fun, but it was cooperative and I love co-op games…

That said, it was gruesome.  It was every bit as gory and scary as your average horror movie and was more intense because YOU are the potential victim.  What made it so fun was what made it so scary.  So scary in fact, that I know of old dudes like me that actually can’t play it, because zombies creep them out!  The sequel looks like it will be more of the same, although from early previews (I have yet to check out the demo, which is available) it looks more gooey than the first.  Parents, I don’t think the young ones will like it, nor is it appropriate for them.  Proceed with caution: Zombies and blood and gore ahead…

#1.  

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.  Gamestop already reports that there are more pre-orders for this game than any other.  Gamestops will be open at midnight next week all around the country in order to make massive amounts of customers happy – and subsequently calling in sick on Tuesday morning

The content for the 1st game wasn’t too over the top, but it was an intense experience and not recommended for the younger kids.  From what I’ve seen so far Infinity Ward is rethinking it’s content levels fairly drastically with more blood and gore, swearing, and apparently; lots more intensity in the killing dept.  Parents are strongly cautioned about this one.  SPOILER ALERT (highlight text): A recently leaked video depicted a player-controlled terrorist versus unarmed civilians killing spree at an airport – I don’t know the context in which this takes place, but I have seen the video and it’s pretty hard to watch – I have HEARD that you can opt out of it or not participate in some way. SPOILER OVER.

Make no mistake, this will probably be the one game your kids want more than any other this season – but I don’t believe it will be appropriate for your younger ones…  I’ll be playing it next Tuesday and will post an impressions article.