The ESRB issued its rating for the upcoming action game Stellar Blade and dubbed it “Mature.” This comes after the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) in Korea rated it for players ages 19 and up.
The description shared by the board offered explanations for Stellar Blade being suggested for players ages 17 and up. Some of it involved the way women are depicted in the title. It specifically mentioned the physics for bodies and “revealing costumes.” The degree of violence, which involves various guns and swords and involve blood, also ended up cited. It did note only one swear, with that being the word “shit.”
Here is the full ESRB description as taken from the official site:
This is an action-adventure RPG in which players assume the role of a super soldier battling an invading alien force. From a third-person perspective, players explore apocalyptic environments and complete mission objectives while battling enemies (e.g., alien creatures, humanoid) in melee-style combat. Players use blades, machine guns, and laser blasters to kill enemies. Battles are fast paced, highlighted by sword slashes, large explosions, and realistic gunfire. Blood-splatter effects occur frequently as enemy creatures are slashed and dismembered. Some cutscenes and battle sequences depict close-up images of impalement, dismemberment, and decapitation. The game depicts some female characters in revealing costumes (e.g., deep cleavage; skintight, flesh-toned body suits), with breasts that jiggle during combat. The word “sh*t” appears in the game.
This ESRB rating also falls in line with a game that inspired Stellar Blade, NieR Automata. That was also dubbed Mature by the board. Director Kim Hyung-tae said the Yoko Taro title influenced this one.
Stellar Blade will come to the PS5 on April 26, 2024.
