Batman: Arkham Knight was revealed to be receiving an ‘M’ for mature rating, and today the ESRB released their rating summary for the game, containing details for the reasoning behind Batman’s high rating.
Possible Spoilers May Follow for Batman: Arkham Knight
The description from the ESRB lists blood, language, suggestive themes, and violence as the content descriptions for ‘Knight’, but the rating summary provides interesting details about the game, as well as the content that appears which has caused it to be the first in the Batman Series from Rocksteady to receive a rating higher than ‘T’ for teen.
The summary says that in the game, “a vehicle’s wheels are used to torture an enemy in one sequence.” Additional torture is detailed as it reads, “One room depicts a person torturing a character on a bloody operating table.”
Interestingly enough, the summary states that players “primarily assume the role of Batman.” Will we get to play as another character for at least a small part of Arkham Knight?
Other reasons for the mature rating include language, shooting unarmed characters, and the depiction of blood in crime scenes or violent acts. The entire rating summary from the ESRB follows
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.
Are you excited for Batman: Arkham Knight? Do you think we’ll get to play as another character? Let us know below, and check out the latest trailer.