Jabrwock
08-09-2007, 11:54 AM
http://www.plaingames.com/
Just found this site while looking for "Christian-friendly" video game resources to help answer a question on the blog. They specialize in rating games based on "Christian" values.
Now before you get all uppity and groan, they're NOT like CSM ratings. They don't review a game by imagining sick developers going to sick criminals and asking them to come up with gory scenarios in some fictional "I can't think of what to say about the gameplay, so I'll just bitch about the violence..." ala CSM's review of GTA:SA
They actually gave GTA:VCS 3.5/5 stars, but they also gave it high violence, zero magic, high sexuality, high profanity, and high negative message. They note that it's rated Mature by the ESRB, and that it's age appropriate for 18+.
Here's the section of the review dealing with the violence and sexual content:
The GTA series has always been legendary for its almost shocking content, and Liberty City Stories is no exception. Many missions require you to kill groups of people, smuggle drugs, and other varieties of less savory activities. Strong language is prevalent during cutscenes, though it does not occur very much during the actual game. Prostitution runs rampant in the city, so you will often have dealings with pimps and their women. Fortunately, the main character does not usually partake of these macabre activities, except the violence; however, the fact that the developers chose to include these things cannot go without mention.
And yes, they have a "magic" rating, for those parents who are afraid of too much "devil worship" in their games. Although it looks like they only rate outright portrayal of magic. For example, Jedi Knight 2 didn't get any magic rating, because it's the "Force". But WoW got "3" bars in "magic". (it got 5 stars overall) NeverwinterNights 2 got "5" bars in magic, and KingdomHearts 2 got "1" magic (and 4.5/5 stars)
While the number of games they've reviewed is very low, so far I've been impressed that they've managed to provide complete and detailed information, while managing to cater to Christians, but without pulling all that judgmental crap that other "Christian"-styled rating systems seem to do. If they find the game offensive, they'll say so, but they won't let it get in the way of judging the gameplay as well.
Just found this site while looking for "Christian-friendly" video game resources to help answer a question on the blog. They specialize in rating games based on "Christian" values.
Now before you get all uppity and groan, they're NOT like CSM ratings. They don't review a game by imagining sick developers going to sick criminals and asking them to come up with gory scenarios in some fictional "I can't think of what to say about the gameplay, so I'll just bitch about the violence..." ala CSM's review of GTA:SA
They actually gave GTA:VCS 3.5/5 stars, but they also gave it high violence, zero magic, high sexuality, high profanity, and high negative message. They note that it's rated Mature by the ESRB, and that it's age appropriate for 18+.
Here's the section of the review dealing with the violence and sexual content:
The GTA series has always been legendary for its almost shocking content, and Liberty City Stories is no exception. Many missions require you to kill groups of people, smuggle drugs, and other varieties of less savory activities. Strong language is prevalent during cutscenes, though it does not occur very much during the actual game. Prostitution runs rampant in the city, so you will often have dealings with pimps and their women. Fortunately, the main character does not usually partake of these macabre activities, except the violence; however, the fact that the developers chose to include these things cannot go without mention.
And yes, they have a "magic" rating, for those parents who are afraid of too much "devil worship" in their games. Although it looks like they only rate outright portrayal of magic. For example, Jedi Knight 2 didn't get any magic rating, because it's the "Force". But WoW got "3" bars in "magic". (it got 5 stars overall) NeverwinterNights 2 got "5" bars in magic, and KingdomHearts 2 got "1" magic (and 4.5/5 stars)
While the number of games they've reviewed is very low, so far I've been impressed that they've managed to provide complete and detailed information, while managing to cater to Christians, but without pulling all that judgmental crap that other "Christian"-styled rating systems seem to do. If they find the game offensive, they'll say so, but they won't let it get in the way of judging the gameplay as well.