Bethesda’s recent sci-fi RPG, Starfield, has been met with great anticipation from fans of the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. While the game’s first-look trailer may have seemed relatively innocent, the game’s creative director has been quick to point out that it contains far more mature content than expected.
One of the features of the game which has led to it being rated M for mature is the inclusion of violence and “interactive drug use.” This is sure to be a turn off for some gamers, but Bethesda has made it very clear that some of Starfield’s more mature themes will be integral to the plot and experience, and not just included as an afterthought.
Unfortunately, all of this violence and drug use has, in part, cost Starfield a safe rating. The game has received a T (teen) rating from the Australian classification board, with the board citing that the game contains “strong themes, violence, and interactive drug use”. While the rating could mean that the game could have potentially gained a rating of PEGI 16 or above, the fact that the board was not comfortable with the violence, drugs, and and other mature themes led to the game being lowered to a safer rating.
It is understandable why Starfield was down-rated, as the game is primarily targeting a younger audience. Despite this, it is worth noting that the game is still incredibly ambitious from a narrative and visual standpoint, and could still be enjoyed by those who are more accustomed to the more mature Elder Scrolls and Fallout series.
Overall, Starfield’s violence and drug use has cost it a safe rating, which may come as a disappointment to some. Ultimately, however, this decision from the classification board helps ensure that the game does not become too explicit for its targeted audience, and still provides an interesting sci-fi experience.
