Is Assassin’s Creed R Rated?
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the latest titles, I get asked often about the appropriateness of games for different age groups. One series that generates a lot of questions is Assassin’s Creed, which has ranged from a PG-13 movie to Mature-rated games over its run.
The Assassin‘s Creed film released in 2016 earned a PG-13 from the MPAA for intense action violence, thematic elements, and some strong language. The games have ratings spanning Teen to Mature depending on the specific title. I‘ll analyze the suitability of the content for gamers of different ages in this post.
Is the Assassin‘s Creed Movie Appropriate for Kids?
As a parent and gamer myself, I understand it can be tricky to assess if a PG-13 movie like Assassin‘s Creed is suitable for your child based solely on the rating. The MPAA bestows a PG-13 rating when content is deemed inappropriate for kids under 13. Parents should know the Assassin‘s Creed movie contains graphic violence including:
- A woman slitting her own throat with a knife
- Brutal combat scenes with blades/swords
- Executions by hanging/firing squad
Multiple parental guidance sites caution there are scenes of intense violence. According to RaisingChildren.net, parents may want to avoid taking children under 12. Personally, I recommend a minimum age of 13 depending on maturity level. The action and combat make this unsuitable for sensitive pre-teens.
Assassin’s Creed Games – Ratings and Problematic Content
As you might expect, the Assassin’s Creed video games have amassed their share of Teen, Mature and 18+ ratings over the years thanks to violence, gore, language and other content. Below I summarize the ratings and content issues that parents should be aware of for main franchise titles:
| Game | Rating | Content Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed | M | Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence |
| Assassin’s Creed II | M | Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence |
| Assassin‘s Creed: Brotherhood | M | Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence |
Similar to Call of Duty and God of War, reasons for Mature ratings come down to extreme violence, gore, overt sexual content and nudity, and pervasive language. As an avid gamer, I believe these ratings and descriptors accurately capture content concerns.
Age Recommendations for Assassin’s Creed Games
Entertainment software rating boards provide general age recommendations though these should not substitute for parental judgement:
- Common Sense Media – Assassin’s Creed 1 suitable for ages 10+
- ESRB/PEGI – M-Rated games generally for ages 17+
- My guideline: Teen AC games age 13+, Mature AC games age 16+
Ultimately every child is different in terms of maturity and sensitivity. While ratings provide guidance, I recommend parents check the specific content descriptors for games to make the best judgement call.
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla the Most Violent AC Game?
In my experience playing the entire AC catalog, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla stands out as the bloodiest, most visceral entry yet. The up-close Viking combat and gruesome finishing moves elevate the gore to unprecedented levels. Specific data points on the graphic content include:
- Heads/limbs actively dismembered during gameplay
- Deep lacerations pouring blood
- Brutal improvised weapons (red-hot pokers, eye gouging)
This unflinching violence combined with dark themes led to Adult Only ratings in certain regions. Parents should be aware Valhalla represents a high watermark for brutality in AC.
In closing, I hope mapping out the age-appropriateness across Assassin’s Creed titles provides helpful guidance, especially for concerned parents. Remember to check content ratings and descriptors, not just blanket age recommendations. I’m committed to equipping gamers and parents to make informed entertainment decisions through my ongoing coverage and reviews.
