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  •  Hey, from what I have gathered (none / 0)

    people who liked the first one are really enjoying the second. And yeah, it impresses me as one of those games that simply cannot be even briefly seen by the little ones - unless you want them screaming in the middle of the night and climbing into bed with you.

    Speaking of which, I was really disappointed that the other day, my youngest (6) happened upon the "attract mode" of CoD4, and his face went red when they lined up the people and shot them all down.  It was a total mistake on my part.  I had thrown in the disc and then got momentarily distracted and didn't take the game to the multiplayer screen right away.  Immediately, the attract mode kicked in and up pops the firing squad scene.  I blame nobody but myself, and I chatted with my little guy about it for a bit and he was ok, but still, I kinda blew it.  Anyway, that is why I support you in your decision not to even touch Condemned unless your daughter is tucked away, or out shopping with Mom. Even just the start-up screens can be horrifying.

    "Gears2 has legs, and they go all the way up!"

    by 3Suns on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:14:24 AM EST

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    •  Don't be so hard on yourself, Suns. (none / 0)

      I know your son is only six years old, but in reality; this kind of stuff is happening around the world: Africa, Darfur, Iraq, Chad, etc.  If violence only existed in video games (a virtual world) where it wouldn't physically hurt anyone, the world definitely be a better place to live in.  Katie (5) understands that dad is killing monsters and aliens.  I still keep her away from the television screen when I'm playing.  Heck, she thinks I'm some sort of superhero!  Hahaha.  Just imagine the parents that subject their kids to rated PG-13, R, & porn, violence, etc. and don't even take the time to explain to their child that what they just saw is wrong.  Just imagine all of those kids that hear nothing but, "Shut up.  Be quiet.  Go to your room.  Go outside and play."  Coupled with the negative stuff that they're exposed to, no wonder this generation is severely at-risk?!?  We talk to our kids and take the time to nurture and educate them to be better people.  You're a teacher just like I am.  You & I deal with the loss of innocence on a daily basis.  It's a shame that what was and should still be considered taboo isn't the norm in this day and age.  I asked my fifth graders if any of them don't know what a naked woman looks like.  Absolutely none of my boys in the class raised their hand (and this wasn't due to peer pressure).  That fact alone led me on a bit of a tirade/lecture on the loss of innocence and what compels kids to act the way they do.  Disrescpect to your elders, no conscience, poor judgement, drugs, sex, you name it...  What a freaking shame.  You're doing great as a dad, Mike.  Being able to acknowledge & understand that you goofed is half the battle.

      Gears is MY Star Wars!!! Wooohhh!!!

      by Blankman on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:40:01 AM EST

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      •  Agreed (none / 0)

        Suns is definitely being too hard on himself here.

        by papi blez on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:16:14 AM EST

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        •  Thanks Blank and papi (none / 0)

          It just kinda caught me off guard and it was just that he blushed.  We have watched Jurassic Park together and X-men (slice and dice), but those are much more comical, no pun intended, in their depiction of violence.  CoD4 is SO realistic in its depiction and in the actual content - and it wasn't two people fighting, it was the helpless people being lined up and shot, I think that is why he was surprised.

          Thanks, Guys.

          "Gears2 has legs, and they go all the way up!"

          by 3Suns on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:08:19 AM EST

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      •  I agree with you here Blankman (none / 0)

        what we create is a reflection of our reality. If violence didn't exist in the real world, it wouldn't exist in art (games, movies. pictures etc)

        Don't be so hard on yourself Suns, yes it might be a little early, but at the same time you don't want to shelter your sun (:P pun intended) from some of the absolute catastrophes that are going on around the world, at the same time, he's still gotta be a kid ;)

        At least you said something and talked to him about it. Like my mom did, she never really shielded me completely from anything but, she always took the time to explain how, why, where, what and made sure i understood that, either it wasn't real (in the case of a movie or videogame) or why I shouldn't do it.

        Was it the most effective strategy? maybe not. Did it work for me? yep, sure did. Will it work for everyone? most definitely not. Both of you guys seem like you've got your heads on the right way, I'm sure your kids will grow up to be amazing people.

        by BoxinLeprechaun on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:06:30 PM EST

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        •  oh I forgot... (none / 0)

          I think one of the biggest problems with games movies and such, is the parents.

          Letting their kids see these things without explaining, or talking to their child. They expect the kids to learn themselves when really, when they're that young they really are just a blank canvas, if you don't take the time to take care of it, will stain quickly.

          Terrible metaphor I know, but I'm not sure how else to get my point across.

          by BoxinLeprechaun on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:11:03 PM EST

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    •  Yea (none / 0)

      I loved the first, and I'm loving 2 so far. The new forensics system IMO is awesome. And the environmental executions are always satisfying ;).

      by RoBBins0096 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:47:11 AM EST

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