Ubisoft’s trip to Feudal Japan has been a long time coming. Seriously, fans have been begging for this setting since the days of Ezio Auditore. But now that we’re finally getting Naoe and Yasuke, the conversation has shifted from "when is it coming?" to "can I actually play this with my kids?" or "how gory is it really going to get?" Understanding the Assassin's Creed Shadows rating isn't just about checking a box on a retail site. It’s about knowing exactly how far Ubisoft Quebec is pushing the envelope with dismemberment, historical realism, and those awkward romance scenes that always seem to trigger right when someone walks into the room.
The ESRB and PEGI Breakdown
If you’ve played an Assassin’s Creed game in the last decade, you probably have a decent idea of what’s coming. Most of these titles land a "Mature 17+" rating from the ESRB or a PEGI 18 in Europe. Assassin's Creed Shadows rating follows that exact lineage. It’s not for kids.
Why? Because the game features "Blood and Gore," "Intense Violence," and "Strong Language." In the context of 16th-century Japan, "Intense Violence" usually means katanas doing exactly what katanas were designed to do. We're talking about decapitations and arterial spray. This isn't the stylized, bloodless combat of a PG-13 action movie. It’s crunchy. It’s visceral.
The ESRB specifically looks for detailed injuries. In Shadows, the dual-protagonist system changes the flavor of that violence. Naoe, the shinobi, focuses on sleek, punctured lethality—think hidden blades to the throat. Yasuke, the samurai, brings the heavy metal. His strikes are designed to crush armor and sever limbs. The rating reflects that heavy impact.
Is the Assassin's Creed Shadows Rating Higher Than Valhalla?
Valhalla set a pretty high bar for brutality. Remember the "X-ray" assassinations? Or the ability to literally chop off a Saxon's head and watch it roll? Shadows doesn't seem to be backing down from that. Ubisoft has leaned into the "shinobi fantasy," which inherently involves wetwork.
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There's a specific nuance to the Assassin's Creed Shadows rating regarding how it handles civilian NPCs and historical "cruelty." The Sengoku period was a time of massive social upheaval and brutal warfare. To capture that atmosphere, the game includes depictions of the aftermath of battles—burned villages, executed prisoners, and the general misery of a country at war with itself. This thematic weight often pushes a game's rating into the "Mature" category as much as the literal blood on the ground does.
Not Just About the Stabbing
It's easy to focus on the combat. But the "Partial Nudity" and "Sexual Themes" tags often pop up in these ratings too. Since Odyssey, Ubisoft has allowed players to engage in romances. These aren't Cyberpunk 2077 levels of graphic detail, but they aren't exactly G-rated either. Usually, it’s a fade-to-black situation with some suggestive dialogue and a bit of skin.
Also, expect some "Strong Language." Even in a historical setting, the localization teams tend to use modern profanity to convey the heat of a moment. If a Daimyo is losing a fortress, he’s probably not saying "golly gee."
Why These Ratings Exist for Open-World Games
Open-world games present a unique challenge for ratings boards. Unlike a linear game where every "kill" is scripted, a game like Shadows gives you autonomy. You can choose to be a ghost who never touches a guard, or you can play Yasuke like a human wrecking ball. The rating has to account for the most extreme version of that gameplay.
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One thing people often miss is the "In-Game Purchases" label. This has become a staple of the Assassin's Creed Shadows rating profile. It refers to the Helix Credits and the in-game store where you can buy flashy armor sets or time-saver maps. While it doesn't affect the "content" age rating, it’s a crucial piece of info for parents or anyone trying to stick to a budget.
Cultural Sensitivity and Historical Context
The ratings boards also look at how sensitive topics are handled. Shadows has already faced a whirlwind of discourse online regarding its historical accuracy and the portrayal of its leads. While the ESRB doesn't "rate" for historical accuracy, they do look at how portrayals of certain groups might intersect with "Violence" or "Hate Speech" (which, to be clear, is a major red flag that rarely appears in AAA titles unless it's a villain's trait).
Ubisoft generally navigates this by including that familiar disclaimer at the start of every game about being developed by a multicultural team. It’s their "get out of jail free" card, but it also signals that the "Mature" content is intended to be a reflection of a specific, albeit fictionalized, historical era.
How to Manage the Content
If you're a parent or just someone who doesn't love the sight of a digital liver, there are usually some toggles. Ubisoft has been great with accessibility lately. In previous games, you could:
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- Turn off blood effects entirely.
- Disable the "assassination" close-ups.
- Adjust the level of nudity or gore in some regions.
Keep in mind that while you can turn off the "red stuff," the thematic maturity remains. The story involves betrayal, political assassination, and the harsh realities of feudalism. No toggle is going to turn this into a Pixar movie.
What You Should Do Now
If you're planning on picking up the game, don't just look at the letter on the box. Check the "Rating Summary" on the official ESRB website once the game is closer to launch. They often provide specific examples of scenes that triggered the rating—like "a character is seen being run through with a spear" or "characters consume alcohol in a tavern."
Actionable Steps for Players:
- Check your platform's parental controls: If you share a console, ensure the Assassin's Creed Shadows rating doesn't automatically lock the game out if you've set strict limits.
- Review the "Blood and Gore" toggles: Once you boot the game, head straight to the "Gameplay" or "Censorship" tab in the settings menu to customize your experience.
- Research the "In-Game Purchases": If you’re sensitive to microtransactions, be aware that the "M" rating also covers the presence of a digital storefront.
- Watch unedited gameplay: Avoid the cinematic trailers. Look for raw, "hands-on" footage from creators to see the actual frequency of the violence before you buy.
The rating is a tool, not a barrier. Use it to decide how—and where—you want to experience the shadows of Japan.