Ever since Tomb Raider had its reboot back in 2013, the series has been more violent than the original franchise back in the PSOne days. Well now the ESRB has rated Shadow of the Tomb Raider and it looks like the new game will retain the gritty atmosphere of the newer games.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider has been rated M for mature players over the age of 17. The content descriptors say: “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language”.
The rating summary says: “This is an action game in which players assume the role of archaeologist Lara Croft as she attempts to stop a mysterious group known as Trinity. From a third-person perspective, players can explore jungles and tombs, solve puzzles, and engage in combat with enemy figures and animals. Players use firearms (e.g., pistols, shotguns, machine guns), arrows, and an ice pick/axe to attack and kill enemies. Combat is highlighted by screams of pain, realistic gunfire, and explosions. Some areas allow Lara to use stealth to sneak up behind her enemies before stabbing them in the head or chest. Players must avoid traps/hazards when grappling and exploring tombs; when Lara fails to avoid these dangers, players are shown brief cutscenes of Lara being impaled on spikes, stabbed with spears, or mauled by animals. Action is frequently accompanied by realistic blood effects, and some areas contain mutilated corpses on sacrificial altars, hanging from the ceiling, or piled in a cave. The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “a*shole” appear in the dialogue.”
Shadow of the Tomb Raider releases on September 14th, 2018. The game will be available simultaneously worldwide for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One platforms.