Is Far Cry 3 Suitable for a 13 Year Old Gamer?
As an enthusiastic gamer and content creator focused on the latest releases, I get asked often by parents if intense shooter games like Far Cry 3 are appropriate for their young teen kids.
My expert advice? Based on its pervasive mature content, I would strongly recommend against allowing a 13 year old to play Far Cry 3. While some more mature middle schoolers may be able to handle the gore and adult themes, the game is developmentally inappropriate for most young adolescents.
To explain this stance, let‘s analyze some of the most intense elements of the game and how they exceed standards for young teen appropriateness.
Excessive Violence and Gore
As an FPS, the bulk of gameplay involves graphic killings across over 30 hours of storyline. FC3 earned an "Intense Violence" descriptor from the ESRB due to visceral scenes like:
- Executing enemies with knives, slitting throats with copious blood spurts
- Blowing off heads and limbs with firearms at close range
- Impaling victims and pulling weapons from their bodies
- Torture scenes involving finger amputation among other brutal acts
One study in the journal Pediatrics found media violence exposure can increase aggression in youth under 18. Parents must consider their teen‘s neurological development before permitting play.
ESRB Rating Distribution Across Top Franchises:
| Franchise | % Rated M for Violence |
|---|---|
| Far Cry | 100% |
| Call of Duty | 92% |
| Grand Theft Auto | 100% |
| Fortnite (Battle Royale) | Teen rating |
As we can see, the majority of mature shooter franchises earn an M rating primarily for violence alone. Fortunately less graphic shooters like Fortnite provide teen friendly alternatives.
Sex and Nudity
Far Cry 3 contains partial nudity and at least one very graphic sex scene between main characters, depicting sexual motions and sounds. The story mode also shows the player-character under the influence of hallucinogens which alters perceptions of sexuality.
According to one study, early exposure to sexual content in media doubles the risk of early sexual initiation in adolescents.
While many parents allow R-rated movie violence for young teens, sexual content requires more careful assessment of personal values and your teen‘s maturity.
Alcohol & Drug Use
The player can choose to use alcohol and drugs like marijuana, magic mushrooms, and other substances which then alter gameplay perceptions and controls.
Research demonstrates substance use in media promotes early addiction in real life. 13-year olds with any addiction risk factors should avoid exposure.
If your teen struggles with impulse control or family history of substance abuse, you should heavily restrict media depicting recreational drug use until neurological maturity is achieved.
Profanity
The dialogue contains constant harsh profanity, with over 213 F-words and many more expletives according to IMDB.
Studies show adolescents exposed to profanity in media tend to develop more verbally aggressive behavior.
Does your 13 year old have the maturity to distinguish between reality and fiction when it comes to severe profanity? If not, I‘d advise against permitting play.
Given all the research on the impacts of graphic media on malleable young teen minds, I strongly recommend no gamer under 15 or 16 play Far Cry 3. Its extreme violence, sexual situations, substances, and language make it inappropriate for middle schoolers without a serious talk on maturity.
Fortunately the booming gaming industry provides amazing alternatives catered to adolescent and tween users, like:
- Splatoon 2
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
- LEGO video games
- Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Questions on evaluating age appropriateness or gaming recommendations? Let me know in comments below!
