Fallout 3 worth it or not for a 13 year old?

[pmac]

I am not to sure what this game is all about so I can not jusge if it is too violent (like Bioshock is a creepy game).

Yes or no, maybe a few thoughts on it as well as to your decision.

Thank you, i will use this advice while Xmas shopping tomorrow morning (today Saturday Dec 20th)

[Easywolf32]

If you want your 13 year old stopping time, zooming in, and carefully aiming at monster's heads and balls, shooting and watching blood fly all over the place, than yeah go ahead and pick it up.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by Easywolf32

If you want your 13 year old stopping time, zooming in, and carefully aiming at monster's heads and balls, shooting and watching blood fly all over the place, than yeah go ahead and pick it up.

yep, too graphic..

[air_max]

i would not allow my 13 year old kid to play this game for violence and other mature themed reasons. but its not my kid, its yours, and seeing as you are asking this question on this forum you probably are OK with the concept at some level.

if you are OK with any 'moral' reasons for letting a 13 year old playing a very mature rated game, then my only question is...aren't there other games the kid can play? it just really isn't a kid game. i know at 13 i could not appreciate or handle this game for what it is, id be way too focused on just blowing up mutants heads.

[Easywolf32]

Just get the guy - or girl LittleBigPlanet or Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction...

[Icemage]

Fallout 3 most definitely earns its Mature rating. Definitely not something you would want to give to your 13 year old unless you're VERY laid back in your parenting.

If you still want to give him something edgy, Metal Gear Solid 4's not a bad pick.

For "safe" picks:

LittleBigPlanet is a title that everyone can love, young or old.
Prince of Persia might tickle his fancy as well.
If he's into anime, I can heartily recommend Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm.

[witheygull]

As others have mentioned, Fallout 3 does indeed have very graphic violence such as heads exploding in a bloody mess in slow motion. It also contains a fair amount of profanity and some sexually suggestive material (though I haven't found any actually nudity after playing approximately 10 hours total).

I think perhaps a very pertinent question is how does the child respond to violent content in other video games or in other media such as movies and TV shows? If he shows that he has a firm grasp of the distinction between violence in entertainment media and real-life violence, then I don't believe that Fallout 3 will be problematic for him in regards to its content.

One very interesting aspect of the game is that it has a karma system that tracks your actions as either good or evil. This could be a way for you to communicate with the child about the importance of consequences of actions in real life. Also the game will frequently offer nonviolent resolution options for many quests.

However, I might not recommend the game for a 13 year-old because it is very complex and open-ended. If he is drawn towards linear games with constant action, then he may become quickly bored with Fallout 3 because it is a game that requires patience (it can take several minutes to walk between locations) and encourages proper planning for character development. If the kid likes other RPGs this probably won't be a problem though.

If you think Fallout 3 might not be the right game for the kid, then Uncharted: Drake's Fortune would probably be an excellent alternate choice for an adventure game. If he likes platformers, Little Big Planet is superb.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by witheygull

As others have mentioned, Fallout 3 does indeed have very graphic violence such as heads exploding in a bloody mess in slow motion. It also contains a fair amount of profanity and some sexually suggestive material (though I haven't found any actually nudity after playing approximately 10 hours total).

I think perhaps a very pertinent question is how does the child respond to violent content in other video games or in other media such as movies and TV shows? If he shows that he has a firm grasp of the distinction between violence in entertainment media and real-life violence, then I don't believe that Fallout 3 will be problematic for him in regards to its content.

One very interesting aspect of the game is that it has a karma system that tracks your actions as either good or evil. This could be a way for you to communicate with the child about the importance of consequences of actions in real life. Also the game will frequently offer nonviolent resolution options for many quests.

However, I might not recommend the game for a 13 year-old because it is very complex and open-ended. If he is drawn towards linear games with constant action, then he may become quickly bored with Fallout 3 because it is a game that requires patience (it can take several minutes to walk between locations) and encourages proper planning for character development. If the kid likes other RPGs this probably won't be a problem though.

If you think Fallout 3 might not be the right game for the kid, then Uncharted: Drake's Fortune would probably be an excellent alternate choice for an adventure game. If he likes platformers, Little Big Planet is superb.

WOW, just WOW

You gave half an essay, i'll give you 9/20, give me the other half & i'll bump you up more with a final grade

seriously though, exploding heads, swearing & most importantly sexually suggestive themes are reasons i wouldn't even consider it appropriate for the average under 15

watch YouTube video's to see it in action & then make a decision

[davidxiphoid]

I'd say no... Great game though. But if your son is anything like my nephews (12and 14 yrs) , they are probably already playing games like this at their friends houses. I put the 'rated m' games away when ever they come over to hang out but they always ask me if I have this game or that game then start to tell me about certain things they encountered while playing games like GTA4 at several of their friends houses.

if it was just aliens getting blown away I might be a little more 'go ahead' but there are actual humans in this game that get every limb possible blown off along with all the mutants. And there is an awful lot of bad language as well.

[Easywolf32]

The poll proves that 40-45% of people are retarded.

[ngkf7]

I would definitely keep this away from a 13 year old. The game is graphic and violent, yes. But I also found it boring, repetitive, and too long to pay attention to when all those factors are combined. There are tons of other choices available (even at the M rating if you think it's ok).

[un4gvn94538]

theres a reason its rated 'm' for mature

[jeabombers]

Originally Posted by Easywolf32

The poll proves that 40-45% of people are retarded.

Yes. Of the 6 people that have voted "yes", not a single one has posted WHY. Let's just sum it up for why it's a resounding "no". I've got a friend who handles his video game violence rather hungrily. He ended up in a situation in which he was in a town in the game, killed the sheriff (intentionally), ran out of ammo, ran away into a bathroom, and proceeded to slaughter all who followed with a knife. He did all this rather gleefully, which makes what happened next all the more disturbingly. He proceeded to use his knife to cut off each body's limbs and head, and drop the torsos into the bathtub. I just hope he never really gets that glint in his eye in a real life situation....

If you want your 13 year old to have the freedom to do such a thing, then go ahead. I myself have attained the rank of "Last, Best Hope for Man", which means I'm an utter saint who refuses to even back stab somebody. Of course, if you want an insight into your son's personality, get him the game and watch him play. See what his tendencies/urges are. I say my game reflects who I am in real life. Only somebody that is genuinely good would refuse to play a violent game in a manner of utmost slaughter with no regards to the consequences.

Speaking of the mentioned "teach them right and wrong, and the power of consequences" remark: There are NO bad consequences in this game. Maybe if you have morals, there are bad story aspects, but if you choose to be truly evil you can continue to play the game. Not only that, but your choices can land you weapons, armor, etc. that are just as good as what you can obtain if you're a saint.

As stated before, profanity and very adult sexual humor/situations are throughout the game, though "no nudity", whatever that means. A person can do perverse things with scantily clad women (once they are dead, nonetheless.)

[toef]

I remember being surprised to get Nightmare Creatures when I was 13.

But games have come a long way since then, and I think Nightmare Creatures' M rating is nothing compared to Fallout. I'll join the boat that says no.

[jamclaur]

I have a 12-year-old that plays this and RE... I think it depends on the maturity of the kid. If you think s/he'll mimic the violence then heck no. If you think it will scare him/her then heck no.

I don't let mine do GTA... But games like this are OK because we've had a talk about violence, gore, nightmares, etc...

[penatrASIAN]

i just picked this game up yesterday, and i would not recommend this game to any 13 year old. but the choice is up to you.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

I have a 12-year-old that plays this and RE... I think it depends on the maturity of the kid. If you think s/he'll mimic the violence then heck no. If you think it will scare him/her then heck no.

I don't let mine do GTA... But games like this are OK because we've had a talk about violence, gore, nightmares, etc...

just curious. whats the difference between fallout 3 and gta? i see very little. both have sexual content, gore, violence.

[AranhaHunter]

Yeah I'll say no as well, get the young guy/girl LBP or Ratchet or something like that.

[pmac]

Thank you all for the feedback!!! Very much appreciated sincerely.

I decided not to get it for the boy,...But because of all the positive feedback I decided to get it for myself instead LOL! I didn't know it was rated M but I guess I didnt look it up at all so i was not too sure of the rating.

Plus I picked up the PS3 headset and keypad...I am all set now for the new levels that come out on tuesday LBP MGS theme pack.

[Cyorg]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

just curious. whats the difference between fallout 3 and gta? i see very little. both have sexual content, gore, violence.

I feel that GTA is too firmly based in reality... Fallout has a level of fantasy that keeps the game from being too believable.