Some questions about Borderlands

[Happy Sock Puppet]

So I am thinking about purchase Borderlands: GOTY edition to play co-op with my nephew. He is 11 years old.

I'm basically asking: How raunchy does this game get? He's played some Halo: Reach and Team Fortress 2, and I didn't have a problem with him seeing any of that content. My concern here is stuff like hookers and drug abuse that might be in the game. Also, I'd prefer the language in the game to not get any worse than 'hell, *****, and damn'. I'm aware that some kids are exposed to stuff like that often, but I don't want to be the one responsible for him viewing that kind of content. The game is rated M for mature, I am sure for a reason.

So, Escapists, a little help here?

 

[shrekfan246]

Hey, look, from the ESRB Website:

Borderlands


Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Rating: Mature

Content descriptors: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Strong Language

Rating summary:

This is a sci-fi first-person shooter in which players assume the roles of mercenary treasure hunters on a mission to the fictional planet of Pandora. Players undertake missions/quests that increase characters' skills, eliminate an assortment of mutant creatures, and drive and collide with advanced alien vehicles. Players kill hundreds of enemies (e.g., human bandits and mercenary soldiers) over the course of the game by using a wide variety of guns (shotguns, sniper rifles), explosives, and special ammo types (fire, acid and electricity, etc.). The combat is frenetic, and enemies moan or scream when they are hit. Damage from weapons also results in large spurts of blood, dismemberment, and decapitation. When a human or creature is decapitated, an effect resembling a fountain of blood will shoot from the neck for a few seconds and stop. Some weapons cause enemies to split in half, the top being separated from the waist. During the course of the game, characters make jokes about streaking, body parts, rape, and mothers (e.g., '?more busted than my momma's girly parts'). Strong profanity (e.g., 'f*cking,' 'sh*t,' 'p*ssy,' and 'd*ckbag') can be heard in the dialogue.


http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=27625

Personally I haven't heard any of the vulgar dialogue, but that certainly doesn't mean it isn't there.

 

[Katana314]

I don't immediately recall anything that would offend too much, but then again it's an expansive game.

If there ARE any drugs (and I can't remember, I don't think so) I think they're mostly fictional (Oh man! I was high on Bzork last night!). Any other references are likely hidden behind walls of quest text that no one's reading.

ESRB can help us too: "Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Strong Language"
No sexual exposure involved, nor direct mention of drugs...it might be good if you play alongside him, but you might be okay.

 

[Judgement101]

Lots o' Gore. That is literally the only reason it got an M rating.

 

[Dreadman75]

Well...you do get a LOT of cursing in-game even if you don't play online. You also have a few mentions female anatomy, a few colorful threats, and some in-game ads for male enhancement. (Though that last one only occurs in the General Knoxx DLC) Oh, and 1 attempted suicide as well!

My advice: This probably isn't a game an 11-year old should be playing. You might want to go with something else.

 

[Bags159]

The characters are very immature. Every time you rent a care you get to hear Scooty whining about how someone ruined his mom's lady parts, for example. One of the earlier blind character constantly talks about taking a dump.

It is a fun game, but probably not so great for an eleven year old.

 

[JackandTom]

I've racked up tons of hours on this game and played with my 11 year old brother. It is quite violent but its not the worst out there. The language isn't that bad but you might hear the odd F-bomb dropped a few times. It really depends on how many violent games your nephew plays, if you are comfortable with him seeing a bit of violence Borderlands is very fun and I would recommend it.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Eh, the only real raunchy thing in it is Moxxi. Chances are you're kid won't understand half of the related jokes.

Not too bad on the swears as I recall. Most of the dialogue is just flavor text, with a few audio clips.

 

[bob1052]

Lots of gore, cursing, and killing enemies with the special ammo types cause them to writhe in pain screaming as they melt/burn/whatever. Plenty of innuendos mixed in as well.

All in all, a pretty damn great game.

 

[Worgen]

well its got plenty of jibs and cartoon blood but not really much more then some bad language other then that

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

The violence isn't really any worse than the gibs in TF2. Language isn't too bad and the only "raunchy" stuff is Moxxy, but that isn't too overt.

 

[DEAD34345]

I'd say it would be fine, but I never even realised the game was rated mature. I can't remember anything even mildly offensive really, there might have been some swear words, but that's about it. I assume anything else was in the quest texts no-one reads. I personally would be fine with my little brother playing it (he's just a little under 11) but it all depends on how sensitive to this sort of thing your brother is.

 

[teqrevisited]

I'm sure there are other examples but I'll always remember this one for giving me the best laugh. It's obvious to us, being the more weathered gamers, but it might need to be clarified that you really shouldn't go around giving people the finger and calling them walking shit containers (As much as I'd love to at some people).

Like others have said, I think it really differs from person to person.

 

[pspman45]

there is a little bit of sex humor, but that is about it
cover his ears!

 

[Kahunaburger]

I wouldn't advise that game for an 11-year old, honestly. But you know him better than the internet does, so it's more your call.

 

[silver wolf009]

SNIPPITY
Personally I haven't heard any of the vulgar dialogue.

I must bring this up now:
SWEET JESUS' TITTY CINNAMON! That thing's gonna be fast.

Best line EVER! (In my opinion of course.)

OT: If you feel he can take some gore, I say go for it.

 

[Simskiller]

SNIPPITY
Personally I haven't heard any of the vulgar dialogue.

I must bring this up now:
SWEET JESUS' TITTY CINNIMON! That thing's gonna be fast.

Best line EVER! (In my opinion of course.)

OT: If you feel he can take some gore, I say go for it.

Or, SHIT AND MEATBALLS!

But seriously there's streaking (or references to) in Borderlands? How did I miss that? I play the hell of it.

Oh yeah, wouldn't recommend it for an 11 year old maybe 13 or 14.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

I don't recall the language being all that bad, and I don't think that there's any drug abuse...(although there is an alcohol reference, and a quest where you need to gather some guy's special cigars...that would actually kill you within the hour if you were to smoke them)

However, you CAN and WILL spray enemies with elemental bullets and cause them to burn to death while screaming, get electrocuted to the point their faces are burned to skulls, and coat enemies with enough acid that they melt to goo while screaming in agony (mind you, most of the enemies deserve this.)

Soo.......Your call. The game IS super fun to play if you've got at least one partner to saddle up with.

 

[LarenzoAOG]

A few f-bombs get dropped but they are usually drowned out by gunfire, the gore may be a little much for an 11 year old though.

 

[itsausernamewhatofit]

lots of gore, but its mostly comical, a couple lines but nothing all that bad, you could do much worse with cable tv. My little brother played it at 11 and didn't have any trouble; in my opinion it should be fine.