Dark Souls II to become a ‘Teen’ game?

Published on Jan 17 2014, by Masamune - Posted in News 1

NAMCO have unleashed a glorious new trailer titled ‘Cursed’ for the upcoming Dark Souls II, giving players a sneak peak of the kind of fresh hell that awaits them in the next gruelling chapter. The narrator sets the tone by telling us the legend of the forgotten kingdom ‘Dragleic’ during the opening cinematic, before cutting to the in-game action and the host of monsters inhabiting this dangerous new realm.

However, one of the biggest controversies surrounding the trailer was at the end, where viewers spotted that the game has been given a Teen (T) ESRB rating. In the previous two instalments of the Souls series, Demon’s Souls & Dark Souls, both games were Mature-rated and fans naturally expected the next game to follow suit. With the creators previously speaking about making Dark Souls II “more accessible” than its predecessor, this latest development has fueled fears that the game will be toning down the darker elements of the series.

So, is this Teen rating a genuine cause for concern? Well, the good news is that it probably isn’t, since it seems that the only reason Dark Souls was given a Mature rating in the first place wasn’t on account of its brutal combat or visceral horror but for…well, this:

That’s right: boobs. ESRB were pulling that weird double-standard we often see in Western society where sexual content and nudity are on par with violence, if not more offensive.  That’s a topic I could prattle on about till the cows come home, but the bottom line is that once ESRB checked out Quelaag’s barely covered tatas, Dark Souls was slapped with a Mature rating.

As for Demon’s Souls? The most likely explanation for its M rating is down to its disturbing imagery. The blood-stained torture devices in the Tower of Latria, and the gory swamp made of aborted fetuses leading to Maiden Astraea might have swung it. Dark Souls didn’t have anything quite as messed up as that, and if not for the giant arachnid boobies, chances are it would’ve been looking at a Teen rating, as well.

Or it simply could be that ESRB were being completely arbitrary in their rating process, as per usual? Either way, if the trailer is anything to go by with its newest batch of monstrosities, then fans can rest easy knowing that the ‘Dark’ will remain in Dark Souls II. Even if it does rule out the potential for boobies.

You can watch the new ‘Cursed’ trailer below:

Dark Souls 2 will be released on March 11 & March 14, 2014 in North America & Europe respectively, for both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. A specific release date for the PC version has yet to be confirmed.

Source: http://beyondfinalfantasy.net/news/dark-souls-ii-to-become-a-teen-game/

No bobbies? No M rating?

No thanks. I'm holding my purchase to wait for a PS4 definitive edition with bobbies and an M rating.

Dark Souls was already a teen game. People are playing it because it is hard, much like tweens playing M rated games because they are M rated.
I remember the uproar when they wanted to make an easy mode. It can't have an easy mode because then everyone could play it and it isn't cool enough anymore.

I thought you were an ass man.

Meh. I really think it's odd how the ESRB can look at Quelaag and think that THAT warrants an M rating. Dude, did you never see the Gaping Dragon? Or just take your character's armor off while you're undead; nightmare fuel for a month.

Or how about half of the morally gray character arcs? That stuff doesn't deserve an M rating?

No? Quelaag? You know, there's kinda a GIANT SPIDER where her kooch should be.

Really, I expect Dark Souls II to be more of the same from From Soft. The Souls series is rather established at this point, and they just happened to not put a naked lady in this one.

I think there is a legitimate concern there as games with multiple difficulty settings tend to be poorly balanced.

Why not both?

I don't think that would be the case if you added the easy mode after the balancing. Pump up the HP, lower the damage, crank up the quality of the loot, Done. Now you have an easy mode.

I just think it's silly to make a really hard game and proud yourself on it! Especially if that's the only marketing handle.

Yes, that would give all the twelve year olds a boner because all the n00bz are getting p0wn'd.

Who  gives a damn?? As long as the game looks great and has the same fun gameplay and high difficulty then a harmless T rating is not going to mean anything.