Gears of War 2: 18 Cert, how appropriate for 15 1/2 yr old?

[lilolilmanchester]

DS stood behind me as I type this!!! He knows that I will not normally allow 18 certs, that said I am ok with him watching some 18 films. All depends on the content. He assures me that the only reason this game is an 18 is that it contains strong fantasy violence (whatever that is) and no other inappropriate content.
So, has anyone got this game and can you tell me if it is at all acceptable for a young teenager to play? I asked once before about GTA4 and found out that his definition of the content and adults' definition of the content were slightly different! Would appreciate your honest feedback. Thanks.

i should think by 15 1/2 he would be past the stage of being influenced by things like that, and old enough to make up his own mind whether it is suitable. he is almost an adult after all.

Okay, I hope ds is not behind you anymore.

My ex once bought an 18 game for his nephew. I was but I kept quiet as the mother thought it was ok (dn was 12).

Anyway, time went on and I was sat in the room with him one night (with his parents etc) and I found out that the so called "fantasy" violence was animated scenes of the main character being locked out of a room while listening to his wife being raped and a baby screaming. After a while of "you" (the main character) being outside the door it goes quiet and you burst through the door to find the body of your dead baby in the room next to the body of your wife.

The game then starts as he goes of to get his (extreme and bloody) revenge. The opening scene came on each time you started the game. I felt sick watching it but his parents seemed completl unmoved.

Personaly I would be uncomfortable with an adult finding pleasure in simething like this, never mind a young boy (sorry but 15 is not close enough to being an adult for me!)

Sorry Cherry, I don't agree. For example, I wouldn't buy him the kind of game NCBirdy is describing (whether he was 15 or 18+ tbh).
NCBirdy DS not behind me but I will let him read what you wrote because he'd know full well that I wouldn't let him play such a game.

Hence trying to find out precisely what the content of Gears of War is before making a decision. Tho think it's just come out so might have to try again in a few weeks.

Hi Lilo

I think gears of war is about fighting "locusts" (alien/zombie type things)
DH has the original gears of war, i find it quite violent but as i DD is still only 20 months i wouldntlike to comment on whether it is suitable for a 15 yo, i think it very much depends on the individual DC

this is what the gears of war website says about the game
Game Rating: M (Mature)
Blood and Gore
Intense Violence
Strong Language

Thanks littlecheese. I don't like violence either, tho realistically I know he won't pick up a machine gun and go shoot people (to that extent, I do agree with cherryliquor) I am more concerned about the nature of the violence (ie alien/zombie fighting not my cup of tea but would allow; rape and baby murder not condoned) I know he has friends who are allowed anything so I know he will play these games. More a matter of what I feel comfortable condoning I guess.

try checking out the gears of war website and also wikipedia, both have further information and if you do a google search you might be able to view some demo's

I have bought this game for my ds 15 1/2 for christmas. It looks violent and gorey and there is strong language, so whilst its not my cup of tea, i trust him to be mature enough to treat it as a game , not mimic it and not play it around his younger siblings.He does watch 18 films quite a lot, with us . I think much of it depends on the childs level of maturity.

I agree frazzled, but really don't like rape/beating up prostitutes etc which are in some of the games DS has wanted (and not been given). I don't like to think of them getting their entertainment from that. However, this game sounds ok (ish!)

yes I did check that it doesnt have the same sort of content as grand thft auto etc.(which he wasnt allowed).

DS1 who is 18 has this game. He said "it's a bit gruesome", apparently you have a gun with a chain saw and cut people up and there is a cut scene where acid is poured on someone and you see them dissolving showing ribs and internal organs. He felt it would be OK for most 15 year olds unless they were particularly squeamish. Hope that helps. Can assure you that my DS2 aged 11 will not be seeing this!

Wikipedia entry here. I'd be a bit bothered about the "Baird and Cole escort Stranded survivors to the surface while Marcus and Dom journey deeper. They find Maria, Dom's wife, who was traumatized as a Locust prisoner, and Dom euthanizes her" part.

Sorry, Wikipedia entry here (previous link just goes back to this thread).

thanks for the extra information evenstar and portandlemon.

I hope you manage to get it sorted out Lilo! Personally I would like to play a game before giving it so I can really know about it - but I wouldn't play the sort of games described here so that doesn't help much

Good luck!

thats what i was trying to say lilo- the game ncbirdy is describing obviously shouldnt be sold to ANYONE as it sounds awful, but fighting zombies and aliens and bugs- thats a different matter i was playing that sort of thing by his age and i'm a girl. besides, if he is fighting aliens and zombies its pretty certain he not going to try it for real as they dont exist. he sounds pretty mature so personally i would trust him. x

I see what you were trying to say cherry, unfortunately though a lot of these games have content which goes way beyond fighting zombies and aliens. it's not always easy to find out from reviews etc hence asking on here.

I wish I could remember the name of the game but it was a very famous one like (but not) Silent Hill.