Dishonored Gets ESRB Rating, Intense Violence & Sexual Themes Detailed

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has rated Arkane Studios’ stealth action adventure title Dishonored.

With intense violence, strong language and sexual themes, the game has inevitably received a Mature rating. The rating explains (possible minor spoilers ahead):

This is an action game in which players assume the role of Corvo, a royal bodyguard who has been framed for treason (i.e., assassinating an empress). As players help Corvo exact revenge on those who betrayed him, they can use pistols, crossbows, swords, and grenades to kill human enemies in ranged and melee-style combat. Violence is sometimes accompanied by slow-motion effects and gurgling sounds from Corvo’s victims.

Certain weapons result in dismembered limbs, and attacks are accompanied by exaggerated blood-splatter effects. Some environments depict mutilated corpses on the ground or hanging from the ceiling. During one interactive sequence, Corvo brands a restrained man’s cheek with a hot iron; in another, players use electric shocks to interrogate a blindfolded man in a chair.

The game’s sexual themes has also been detailed, with “sexual/suggestive dialogue” being present aplenty:

The game depicts some female characters in revealing outfits and includes some sexual/suggestive dialogue (e.g., “Hey sweetheart, you want to play with me? You’re a lot cuter than my regulars,” “This one thinks only of whores,” and “Sell your wife into prostitution, I’m sure I can get you a good price.”). The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “a*shole” can also be heard in the game.

Dishonored is due for a release on October 9th in North America and three days later in Europe.

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