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Here is my next video review. In this video, I give you a quick overview of Sunset Overdrive, go over the rating and content, and let you know if I think it is good for your gamer.
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Transcript:
Hello, my name is Eric Rogers from parentinggamers.com and this is Parenting Gamers Review of Sunset Overdrive. In this video, I am going to give you a quick overview of the game, go over the rating and content, and let you know if I think it is good for your gamer.
So the first question is, what is Sunset Overdrive?
Sunset Overdrive is a third-person, open-world action game. What do I mean by that?
First of all, a third-person game is a game where the character the player controls is visible on the screen. This view is popular is story driven games because it helps the player connect more with the main character of the story.
Next, is the term “open-world”. An open-world game is a game that allows the player a measure of freedom to determine where to go and what to do. There is normally a main story-line but the player is free to ignore it and just explore the world if they choose.
Here you can see my next mission represented by this yellow icon. I can head that direction and complete that mission or can I turn around and go a completely different direction to see what other side quests or collectibles I can find.
None of this is all that unique. There are many third-person, open-world action games out there, such as Assassin’s Creed and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. However, there are two things that set Sunset Overdrive apart. Those are its setting and its gameplay.
Sunset Overdrive’s setting is completely over-the-top. The story is that a faulty energy drink has turned the population of Sunset City into mutants. The player is a survivor trying to get out of the city. The player uses outrageous weapons like exploding teddy bears and a gun that shots records and traverses the world using over-the-top mechanics like grinding power lines and running across walls. This clip will give you an idea of what I mean.
The last thing I want to mention before I talk about the content is that Sunset Overdrive is an Xbox One exclusive. This means your gamer will only be able to play it on an Xbox One.
That brings us to the content.
A quick warning. I am about to show you some quick clips explaining the rating Sunset Overdrive received. These clips are graphic and contains strong language.
Sunset Overdrive is rated M, which is the equivalent of an R rating in the movies. The rating includes these 5 descriptors:
“Violence”
“Blood and Gore”
“Strong Language”
“Drug Reference”
And “Sexual Themes”
One thing to note about the content is there are options to turn off the gore and the language. Under Options, Gameplay, you can unselect the “Gore” option. And under Options, Audio, you can unselect the “Vulgarity” option. When you do this, the bad language will be bleeped out and the gore will be covered. Here are the clips I just showed with them turned off.
The last thing I want to mention is the multiplayer component. Sunset Overdrive’s multiplayer is called “Chaos Squad”. Players can join up to 7 other people to complete missions which will unlock items in the game. The thing to remember about multiplayer is you have no control over who your gamer might play with.
So what’s the verdict? Is Sunset Overdrive a game you should allow your player to play?
As a gamer I enjoy this game. The open-world aspects give it a lot of legs and the over-the-top setting is a nice change of pace from the gritty realism they go for in games like Call of Duty or Battlefield.
However, as a parent, I would recommend holding off on this game until your gamer is older. The M rating carries with it a “17 and up” qualifier. Most stores won’t even sell an M rated game to anyone under the age of 17. So I would say, use that as your gage. If you wouldn’t allow your gamer to watch an R rated movie, you probably shouldn’t allow them to play Sunset Overdrive.
I will admit the language and gore controls in this game almost make me more willing to recommend it. However, there are a couple reasons why I still say wait.
First, those controls are not behind any kind of password gate. While you can go in and set them up, there is nothing stopping your gamer from changing them back when you are not around.
Also, while those settings do cover those things up, they do not remove them. The game is still pretty violent and the language is only bleeped out.
With those things in mind, my recommendation is still that you wait on Sunset Overdrive.
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