Earlier today, an ESRB rating cropped up for one of 5pb and Nitroplus’ visual novels, Steins;Gate. Steins;Gate is the second title in the “Science Adventure Series” following Chaos;Head and the first to be localized in the United States. While released on more consoles including iOS and PSP in Japan, Steins;Gate will only be receiving a PC release courtesy of the folks at Jast USA.
Unsurprisingly, Steins;Gate has been granted a Mature rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for the following reasons: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence. Given the game’s source material including sexual references in the dialogue, it’s safe to say that this one isn’t for children. You can check the entire ESRB synopsis below.
This is an adventure game in which players follow a narrative involving a time-traveling character. As the storyline unfolds, players make choices that affect the direction of the game’s dialogue and action. Some still-frame cutscenes depict acts of violence: a woman shot in the head; a character stabbed in the chest; a person strangled. Blood stains are depicted on characters’ bodies and clothing.
The game contains sexual material in the dialogue and as part of the central character’s inner monologue (e.g., “You can rape her, and then just undo it with the Time Leap Machine,” ‘[S]he’s a flat-chested girl, but still a girl nonetheless,” and “why not taste the same girl’s virginity over and over again.”). In one sequence, two female characters are depicted inside a shower stall covering their breasts and pelvic area; one character’s buttocks is exposed. The words “sh*t” and “p*ssy” appear in the dialogue.
Steins;Gate is currently set for an Early 2014 release on PC only with a Limited Edition to be release simultaneously.