Blood & Glory

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Gladiator-themed combat game works best with in-app buys.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Blood & Glory is a realistic combat game that features nonstop violence and some gory images. The combat itself isn't overly bloody, but everything else about the game is, with blood soaked images of swords (and even the company logo) festooned everywhere. There are two versions of the app available for Android devices; the "unrated" version includes blood, while the regular version does not. Players who advance far in the game will eventually hit a point where not paying real-world cash for in-game currency (which can cost you up to $100 out of pocket) puts you at a severe disadvantage. 

  • The game's mechanics are well-explained and easy to grasp. Succeeding is largely a matter of timing and equipment -- though winning later matches without buying upgrades is very difficult.
  • Users are presented with a bloody Glu logo the first time they open the app. The game is a series of brutal battles featuring swords, maces, and more, though the app does not feature as much blood as you might expect. The screen does "splash" with blood when you are hit, however. Parents should note that two versions of the app are available for Android devices; the "unrated" Blood & Glory (NR) promises to be the "bloodiest, goriest swipe and slash fighting game" in the Android Market; this version is the equivalent of the iOS version. The regular Android version doesn't have blood.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
  • The game has ads recommending other Glu games that pop up in between every battle, and players are encouraged (particularly after they've been playing for a while) to purchase in-game currency with real-world cash, with prices ranging from $5 to $100. 
  • Some privacy concerns. Users can opt in to OpenFeint, an interactive network that allows users to upload real avatar photos, post on message boards, connect with Facebook friends or Twitter followers, and access live chat with strangers. Some safety concerns, also. If users opt in to OpenFeint they can choose to share their personal information with strangers.

Is it any good?

 

The gladiator setting of BLOOD & GLORY (not to mention the app's title) should be fair warning to parents that this is not a game for little kids. But for adults and older teens who play, this is a fairly well done fighting game. It attempts to tread the path blazed by Infinity Blade, though discards any semblance of story, reducing it to a series of fights. 

This would be fine, except the game continually ramps up the difficulty, but your skills don't advance at the same pace. This puts you in a position of essentially being forced to buy in-game credits to upgrade your skills or weapons (or suffer hours upon hours of defeats to slowly build the skills and earn the credits through gameplay). If you're willing to spend the money (or walk away when you reach that point) it's a fine choice. But if painting yourself into that corner is a frustration point, pick up a copy of Infinity Blade (or its recent sequel) instead.


This review was written by Chris Morris
Educator
January 25, 2012
 
Eh
I mean, just because of a little blood doesn't mean it's not appropriate.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
March 13, 2012
 
Ipod version does have an option to turn on blood.
The ipod and ipod versions of this game do have quite a bit of blood and gore, but there is an option to turn off blood. The blood flies every time you strike, and it pools around the fallen enemy when they are cut down. With two weapons, you can even decapitate your enemy. In other words, don't let little kids play this. Especially if there squeamish. The controls and graphics are very well polished however and it's very well made, should be ok for kids 14 and up.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
April 1, 2012
 
12 and up
The ordinary app for android (rated version) has no blood i have downloaded it the only blood you see is a stain on one of the bosses masks so i rate it 12+ but for the nr version.....obviosly 15

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Chris Morris
Category:Action Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Price:Free
Size:111.00 MB
Publisher:Glu Games Inc.
Version:1.0.1
Release date:December 8, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.2 or later

This review was written by Chris Morris
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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