Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Xbox

PlayStation

PC/Steam

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is Call of Duty. It's a well-made, popular military shooter with solid production values and engaging gameplay—for adults and older teens. The Cold War setting adds some historical flavor, and the espionage angle is more interesting than your typical run-and-gun.

But let's be real: this is rated M for very good reasons. It's graphically violent, features blood and gore, has strong language, and the Zombies mode is genuinely disturbing. Yes, you can turn down some of the gore with content filters, and yes, half the eighth grade is probably playing it. That doesn't make it appropriate for middle schoolers.

If you're letting your 17-year-old play, fine—it's rated for them. If you're considering it for a 13-year-old who's mature and you're okay with violent content, that's your call, but understand what you're signing up for. This isn't Fortnite with cartoon violence; this is realistic combat with realistic consequences depicted on screen.

For its intended adult audience, it's entertaining and well-executed. For kids? Hard pass unless they're legitimately older teens and you've had real conversations about violence, online behavior, and separating games from reality.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (17+) and adults. Despite some parents on Common Sense Media saying 11+ with filters, the reality is this is graphic, mature content featuring realistic violence, frightening horror elements, and adult themes. If your 13-year-old is playing, you're making a deliberate parenting choice—just go in with eyes open.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

25

This is a mature-rated military shooter with intense graphic violence, blood, gore, strong language, and suggestive themes. The tone is dark and militaristic, centered on Cold War espionage and combat. While it models teamwork in multiplayer modes, the core experience revolves around killing enemies in realistic combat scenarios. The Zombies mode is particularly gory and frightening. Not emotionally healthy content for younger audiences, though settings allow parents to reduce blood/gore/profanity for older teens.

Imaginative

58

The Cold War setting offers interesting historical context with iconic 1980s locales (East Berlin, Vietnam, Soviet KGB headquarters). The campaign involves espionage, moral ambiguity, and encounters with historical figures. However, it's largely a scripted, linear shooter experience with limited creative expression. Multiplayer offers tactical variety and loadout customization, and Zombies mode has some puzzle-solving elements, but overall it's more about execution than imagination or open-ended exploration.

Safe

35

ESRB rated M (17+) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Drugs/Alcohol. The Zombies mode is explicitly noted as 'very gory' and frightening for younger players. Online multiplayer exposes players to other users (users_interact: true), which can include toxic behavior, though the data shows no in-game purchases or loot boxes. The game does offer content filters to reduce blood, gore, and profanity, which improves safety for older teens whose parents approve. Still, this is fundamentally violent, mature content designed for adults.

Enriching

42

The Cold War historical setting provides some educational context about 1980s geopolitics, espionage, and real historical events. Players encounter moral ambiguity and 'hard truths' in the campaign. Multiplayer develops strategic thinking, teamwork, and reflexes. However, the primary skill being honed is virtual combat proficiency. The entertainment value is high for the target demographic (older teens and adults), but meaningful cognitive or ethical growth is limited. It's more adrenaline and competition than insight or empathy-building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Historical Cold War setting with real locations and political intrigue provides educational context about 1980s geopolitics
Campaign mode features moral ambiguity and espionage storytelling that goes beyond typical shooter fare
Multiplayer develops strategic thinking, teamwork, and competitive skills in a tactical environment
Content filters allow parents to reduce blood, gore, and profanity for older teens (though it's still violent)
High production value and engaging gameplay for the mature audience it's designed for

⚠

What to Watch For

This is legitimately rated M for 17+ with graphic violence, blood, gore, strong language, and drug references—not a game for tweens no matter how much they beg
Zombies mode is particularly gory and frightening, with horror elements that can disturb younger players
Online multiplayer exposes players to other users who may exhibit toxic behavior, trash talk, and inappropriate language
The game glorifies military violence and combat as entertainment, which may conflict with some family values
Even with content filters enabled, this remains a game about killing people in realistic combat scenarios

Conversation Starters

"What do you know about the actual Cold War? How does the game compare to what really happened in the 1980s?"
"The game shows espionage and moral gray areas—when do you think it's okay to lie or deceive for a greater cause?"
"How do you handle it when other players are toxic or inappropriate in online matches? What's your strategy?"
"Does playing violent games affect how you think about real-world conflict and violence?"

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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War