Assassin's Creed Valhalla ESRB Rating Confirms Brothels, Hallucinogenics

Although many fans are waiting on the edges of their seats for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, the game's development has started to encounter a few recent speed bumps. For example, the game's director has been fired shortly before the game's launch, though the title has already been mostly completed and has been submitted for certification, and therefore, an ERSB rating.

As with other Assassin's Creed games, Valhalla is being rated M, referincing the unsuprising blood and gore that comes with Assassin's Creed games. However, new details have surfaced, suggessting in-game nudity and even decapitations.

Valhalla is a highly anticipated game, promising seamless gender transitions between a male and female main character, known as Eivor. According to its ERSB Mature rating, the game will have brothel missions, as well as more graphic violence than previous titles.

The new title revealed a unique game mechanic earlier this year, which allowed intensive murders to show a Mortal Kombat style X-Ray attack, in which ribs are shattered and pierce the victim's heart. According to the ERSB rating, "combat is highlighted by screams of pain and frequent blood-splatter effects." While this is may not be surprising to longtime fans of the game, all fans will have to prepare themselves for the brothel mission in-game, comparable only to the nudity of the Witcher.

The brothel mission will feature "topless women straddling men," as well as female NPCs occasionally agreeing to intercourse with a male Eivor. However, it is still unclear whether this element refers to a specific point in the story or if it is simply a background interaction, though it is definitely a more graphic depiction of sexual content than has been seen in previous installations.

The game will also introduce drinking contests and rap/poem battles, though by far their most unique step is with their hallucinogenic use. Players will consume hallucinogenic mushrooms in-game, and game visuals will become heavily distorted as a result. This effect introduces another gameplay factor, though the in-game purpose of including these halucinogenics still has yet to be seen.

For fans of the series, it seems like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla is taking some dangerous, new steps into uncharted territory. However, these elements could potentially change the game for the better, depending on how they are used and how often they pose a challenge to players. Unfortunately, this is something that fans will have to experience for themselves.

Kieran Mouritsen
Editor, NoobFeed