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Call of Duty: Finest Hour

(2004, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Violent WWII shooter provides unique perspective.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The game reminds players that countries other than America fought against the Axis power--and shows archival footage to prove it.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    This is war, so that means widespread killing.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Occasional vulgarity.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Call of Duty: Finest Hour was written by Aaron Lazenby

Parents need to know this game is presented as a serious treatment of the Allied foot soldiers who fought the Germans in World War II. And while players are presented with real and realistic photos and footage from World War II, it's not long before they enter an artificial representation of real places and events, but kill hundreds of fake enemies.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about whether video games are an appropriate medium for learning about complex historical events. Does playing the game increase your kids' understanding of the war? Or does the game exploit and trivialize history?
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More on Call of Duty: Finest Hour

What’s the Story?

CALL OF DUTY: FINAL HOUR casts players as soldiers fighting with Allied powers against the growing Nazi threat. By presenting multiple views from the battlefront, Call of Duty: Final Hour liberates war video games from a strictly American perspective and casts it for what it really was: a world war. Players will find it a refreshing change of pace to control characters from three different Allied countries: a Russian solider defending his native Stalingrad, a British demolitions expert fighting German armor in the African desert, and an American infantryman fighting to capture a German city. Close

Is It Any Good?

Call of Duty: Final Hour sets itself apart from the pack by replicating, if only in flashes, the scary vulnerability and frantic rush for survival depicted in the opening scene of Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." The sharply rendered environments leave players unable to easily identify threats or find safe positions to protect themselves. This war game delivers its share of fighting and killing, though the Teen rating means there is less blood or gore than in Mature-rated games. But that's little solace for a parent watching their child sit behind a mounted machine gun and mow down person after person as they jump a barricade.

Archival footage of the war and an authoritative voice over infuse a degree of gravitas to what is otherwise a relentless exercise in shooting and killing. If you're looking to mix a history lesson into you child's virtual pursuits, you could certainly do worse than Call of Duty: Final Hour. Just don't forget that history has delivered its share of violence.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/17/2004, price $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T

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See all 14 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Great Game !

    The violence is mild when you shoot people they just disappear , and language isn't used often and when it is it's not that strong .

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Could be better

    Over all, the first installment of this famous series is an excellent game, but if you just want a call of duty WWII game, buy the 3rd one, its a whole lot better. The health meter is annoying after you've played the 3rd or 4th game, but a fun, easy game for first timers.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Just Ok

    This game is kind of violent. The only level I thought was cool was the first level. Some parts of it are unrealistic, like if a German dies you can walk right through him. The weapon sounds are so boring. I have to admit, the sniping is fun. I said it's just ok because when I just want to quit something cool happens. There is one level where there's a lot of suspense. In my opinion, don't get it, but if you really want it, buy it.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 2.0

    A big let down

    I t is a good series but this game was a let down. Violence: No blood but when you shoot someone it looks like blood but it’s just showing you that you hit them. Language: it says B*****d and b**ch a few times in the cinematic sequences. Social behaviour, drugs and sex: A man smokes a bit but not much. Message: always work as a team. It was an alright game recommend it 8 and up.

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