Last month, we learned that Batman: Arkham Knight will be rated "Mature," making it the first Arkham game in Rocksteady's history to receive an M. The studio's previous two Batman games — Arkham Asylum and Arkham City — both received a "T for Teens".
The "M" rating came as a surprise to Sefton Hill, Rocksteady founder and Arkham Knight Game Director, but acknowledged they never wrote the game "with a rating in mind." For the first time, we now know why exactly the game has received such a rating. The ESRB published its rating information for Batman: Arkham Knight, citing "Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence" as the main content descriptors.
The rating summary mentions "large bloodstains," the ability to "shoot unarmed characters," and signs in certain part of the city that read "live nude girls" and "XXX." Here's the full description:
"This is an action-adventure game in which players primarily assume the role of Batman as he battles several villains spreading chaos across Gotham City. Players traverse a variety of locations around Gotham while battling thugs, examining crime scenes, and occasionally rescuing hostages. Players engage in melee-style combat using punches, kicks, and gadgets (e.g., batarangs, explosives). Enemies cry out in pain when struck, and some takedowns are highlighted by brief slow-motion effects and loud impact sounds. Some sequences allow players to use tank-like vehicles with machine gun turrets and rockets to shoot enemies; a vehicle's wheels are also used to torture an enemy in one sequence. Cutscenes depict characters getting shot (on and off camera) while restrained or unarmed. Large bloodstains/pools of blood appear in crime scenes and in the aftermath of violent acts; one room depicts a person torturing a character on a bloody operating table. During the course of the game, players can shoot unarmed characters and a hostage. Neon signs in a red-light district read “live nude girls” and “XXX.” The words “b*tch,” “gobsh*te,” and “a*s” appear in the dialogue."
Honestly, it's nothing I wouldn't already expect in a Batman game with dark tones. Although Rocksteady admits the rating could impact sales, I respect them for sticking to the game they wanted to make instead of one that would appeal to a mass market. Plus, I think the fans that want to play the game will find a way to get it, regardless of age or rating.
Batman: Arkham Knight is set to release for Xbox One, PS4, and PC on June 2, 2015.
