The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) recently assigned a “Mature 17+” rating to the upcoming video game ‘Stellar Blade’ by developer Shift Up. This classification is due to the game’s depiction of intense violence, including bloodshed, impalement, and decapitation, as well as the use of profanities and suggestive themes. As the protagonist Eve, players will engage in combat against alien forces, with graphic action sequences prominently featured throughout the gameplay.
Content Warning and In-Game Elements
During these intense encounters, players will witness detailed violent imagery, which is a significant contributor to the mature rating. Moreover, the portrayal of female characters has been highlighted in the context of the game’s content. However, it is noteworthy that the game refrains from pervasive explicit language, with “s**t” being the extent of its coarse lexicon. Additionally, the ESRB listing specifies the absence of “Interactive Elements,” which indicates that players will not encounter microtransactions within the game.
Game Launch and Features
‘Stellar Blade’ is set to release on April 26th, exclusively for PlayStation 5, with a standard price point of $70. The main storyline promises players around 25 hours of gameplay, which can be extended to 30-50 hours with the pursuit of collectibles. The game will offer a semi-open world environment, which has been influenced by titles like ‘NieR: Automata’ and ‘God of War.’ The latter games have inspired the developer in creating a vast world experience that stops short of a full open-world design. ‘Stellar Blade’ will also feature customizable elements for the main character, such as outfits, accessories, and hairstyles, which players can obtain without making additional purchases.
