PS2 New Games

CRIME LIFE - Gang Wars
With cases in South Africa like a 10-year old boy stabbed to death at school, I'm in two minds of the damage these kind of games can do. Granted, it has an 18 restriction, and the onus is on the parents, but how many actually bug their kids about their games, or even check the restrictions? Friends of ours allow their youngster to play violent games like Grand Theft Auto but forbids seeing anything sexual - many will think that's the wrong way round (but nowadays there's far more to worry about than pregnancy). A game like this is merely entertainment, but borders on irresponsible - to those with the right mindset, stable disposition and logical knowledge of right & wrong, reality & fantasy, it's not that big a deal. I don't believe a movie, game or music can twist someone's brain to the extent that they become a homicidal maniac. It does however make it just that much easier for someone to emulate or aspire to something similar if they have a predisposition for anti-social or homicidal behaviour (which is also mostly a societal result). But, if that firecracker is going to erupt, a slow supermarket queue can also be that impetus. Entertainment is part of our social structures, so it does play a part, but maybe not as huge as some prudes want us to believe. Age restrictions aren't there for the joke. It's up to the parents to regulate the exposure of their offspring to potentially "harmful matter". Copycat incidents may occur, but is the numbing effect a contributory factor? Kids learn by example and if they grow up on the crap end of town, they're likely to end up like their negative role models or peers, because they don't know anything else. Does a game like this make them want to escape it, or does it glamourize it even more to those who don't live under those circumstances? Rap and Hip-Hop oafs make millions off the glorifying of their so-called thug lifestyles, even suburban kids imitating the lingo, fashion and attitude when it's in no way relevant. Is it really that appealing wanting to aspire to be a dumb, violent criminal with terrible taste in jewelry? So, to get back to the game in question. With Gang Wars they try to justify the scum-fuck violence and crime mentality as you have to "clean up the neighbourhood" by wiping out your rival gangs. It's Central City and you have to join The Outlawz. Besides the assault, robbery and murder, there's even the ludicrous extra of being able to tag walls with a spray can - fine way to uplift the 'hood! The soundtrack is obviously a rap / hip-hop affair with D12, Dek The Raw, Guvnor P and more. As a whole Crime Life - Gang Wars still boils down to senseless violence and murder (not social commentary), with bloody fist- and knife fights, shootings and drive-by's. You can even attack old ladies on the pavement... Not so amusing - especially if you know these things can happen in your primary school…

2 / C
- PB

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