Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Single Player Impressions November 12, 2009
Posted by Lyle in News.Tags: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Extreme Content, Game Ratings, Modern Warfare 2
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Modern Warfare 2 is here. And here’s what I think:
ABOUT THE SINGLE-PLAYER STORY MODE
The bottom line: Amazing (in that summer blockbuster movie sort of way). The action is way over the top and the plot is just a touch outside of the realm of the possible (I hope so anyway) - but the characters drive it so well. The explosions and the settings were shock and awe moments for sure; but the emotional attachment to the characters you meet, play as, and really learn to love (and hate) makes this one of the best media about war ever. Soap, Roach, Ghost, Foley, Ramirez and more will get under your skin. These capture you as if they are real human heroes that couldn’t have been done better.
This is going to be a five star game; for adults.
Content: Well, aside from the “No Russian” level that is mentioned specifically below; the game is slightly more violent than COD4 Modern Warfare (1) was. It’s MUCH less violent than Call of Duty World At War, and I’m glad for it. I remember saying that the intensity level was the thing that concerened me about letting kids play the first Modern Warfare – and here it is the same issue; except that the intensity level has been upped considerably. Many of the scenes and set pieces will leave you holding your breath and dodging the incoming fire in your chair. I think it may be too intense, rather than too violent, for young ones. Much like the first game; main characters are not invincible, and some of the plot twists are very, very emotional.
“No Russian”
Much has been said and debated about the “terrorist” level. As horrible as it was, it does capture the nightmarish spirit of this new world war on terrorism we are in. The game allows you to play as a covert agent committing an atrocity in order to infiltrate a terror cell. You can pull the trigger or back off and watch as the real bad guys do all the work; or you can opt out of it altogether – the game warns you twice. I advise that you heavily weigh the options and don’t just charge in without thinking. It does set up the rest of the plot, but you really won’t miss anything that isn’t explained. I watched – did not pull the trigger – and was satisfied that the scene was not simply there to push the envelope of content in games. Don’t get me wrong – it was horrible – but it was not unrealistic, unfortunately. We live in a day and age where evil men fly airplanes as bombs and IED’s and suicide-bombings are frequently heard news. Infinity Ward handled with maturity; but I wonder why they decided to make it playable. It could have been a cut scene and still been just as powerful and heart-wrenching. making it playable was unnecessary and I think it will cause issues with those who aren’t mature enough to handle it.
They said that they wanted the player to experience the atrocities of terror – but I contend that no video game or movie could really ever do that. The Ft. Hood shooting was very recent and I kept thinking – the real thing was there, not here in my Xbox. The best it could do is make me think deeply about terrorism and about myself. It is interesting that although in my mind I knew that these innocent people were just animated 3-d characters I still had no desire whatsoever to participate. This level and the decision to make it playable are very good reasons not to blindly allow your young children to see or play Modern Warfare 2. The game is not for kids. Some will not be able to handle or process the scene; adults included.
The game is rated M for Mature for Blood, Drug reference, Intense Violence, and Language. I’ll pipe in later with Multiplayer impressions as well as Spec-Ops mode. I played and beat the single player campaign on regular difficulty, and have played to level 19 in multiplayer mode as of this writing. I haven’t even tried Spec-Ops.
Games and Christmas November 5, 2009
Posted by Lyle in Must Read, News.Tags: Content, Game Ratings, Gaming Industry, Preview
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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.
FTC Says It’s Getting Harder For Kids To Buy M Rated Games May 8, 2008
Posted by Lyle in Must Read, News.Tags: Content, Family-Friendly, Game Ratings
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The Federal Trade Commission has been investigating retailers and how strict they are about selling M-rated games and other mature media to kids. The report is right here and it’s worth a read. Check out this chart:
So things are getting better. I know that my Gamestop guys are enforcing the rules. How is it in your neck of the woods? What are the restrictions at your house when it comes to Mature or R+ rated content in media? Do you have any guidelines in place? I believe the best way to fix this issue is for parents to know and be involved in what they’re kids are into.
