Final Fantasy XVI ESRB Rating is Mature

There’s a hint as to the kind of content people will see in Final Fantasy XVI, as the ESRB rating appeared. It got assigned the “Mature” rating, recommending it for people over the age of 17. In addition to the expected descriptors associated with violence, like noting characters will swear and there will be blood, it also notes there will be sexual imagery. The description offered more details about what the latter part of that will entail.

In particular, it seems some of the places Clive will visit will feature brothels. Two of the descriptors mention “partial nudity” and “sexual themes,” and the ESRB summary mentions that kind of location will appear.

Here is the full Final Fantasy XVI ESRB description from the official site.

This is an action role-playing game in which players assume the role of an enslaved prince (Clive) on a quest to find his missing brother. From a third-person perspective, players explore a fantasy kingdom, complete various quests, and engage in battles against enemy soldiers and fantastical creatures (e.g., trolls, orcs). Players use swords and magical attacks (e.g., fireballs, lighting strikes) to kill characters in melee-style combat. During fighting sequences, players can perform cinematic attacks/finishing moves by following on-screen prompts. Battles are fast paced, accompanied by impact sounds, cries of pain, and large explosions. Blood-splatter effects frequently occur when characters are slashed and killed. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence and blood: a character’s hands severed by a sword; a guard’s throat slit by a knife; a character impaled through the chest; a prisoner’s shoulder stabbed and twisted by an interrogator’s blade. The game contains some sexual material: a character caressing and straddling a man in bed; references to prostitution—sexual moaning sounds in a brothel; dialogue such as, “I’d be happy to show you…provided I can afford it” and “…thank you for your service. My chamber is just upstairs.” Some characters are depicted with partially exposed breasts and buttocks. The words “f**k” and “sh*t” are heard in the game.

Final Fantasy XVI isn’t the first Final Fantasy game to get a “Mature” rating. The spin-off Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin did as well.

Final Fantasy XVI will release on the PlayStation 5 on June 23, 2022. It will be exclusive to the console for about six months.