About two weeks ago, Rocksteady announced that the ESRB had given Batman: Arkham Knight an M rating. Now, they explain why.

The ESRB rating lists the common traits of the previous Arkham games, like the combat where Batman uses gadgets and his fists and enemies scream in pain. The rating also lists rescuing hostages, doing detective work around crime scenes.

What set this game apart from the others ratings-wise is the Batmobile, or the “tank-like vehicle with machine gun turrets and rockets to shoot enemies.” There are cutscenes where people are clearly getting shot while tied up or otherwise no threat to the enemy. Large puddles of blood and bloodstains are seen at the aforementioned crime scenes. Gotham also advertises adult entertainment, though none of it is actually seen. Most of all, there are at least two scenes of on-screen torture: one where a player can use the Batmobile’s wheels to torture someone and the other on an operating table. Also, innocent characters can be harmed or even shot. There are also some curses including “bitch” and “ass”.

My Opinion:

I cannot wait for this game! Even though I am confused as to why Batman aka Mr. No Guns has equipped the Batmobile with machine guns, but I digress. I like this darker look at the Dark Knight, where he has to torture his enemies as well as his detective skills in order to save Gotham. This isn’t the Adam West Batman, that’s for sure. However, it does make me wonder what “gobshite” means.

Shawn Richards is MONG’s Associate Editor that studies games to understand how they work. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook