ESRB ratings are either good for telling us about a brand new game that hasn’t been announced or letting us know a few little pieces of information of some upcoming games. With these two, it is the latter.
Though it is only rated E10+, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time will feature both a torture device that tickles prisoners and a hippo dancing suggestively for nearby soldiers, two things that should have immediately slapped this game with an M!
Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time (February 5th, 2013)
Descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Cartoon Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco
Rating summary: This is an action game in which players assume the role of Sly Cooper, a master thief on a quest through time to save his clan’s legacy. Players control Sly and his friends as they run and jump through levels, using melee attacks (e.g., bouncing on enemies’ heads) and various weapons (e.g., swords, stun guns, oversized bombs) to defeat whimsical animals. Fighting sequences include occasional gunfire effects; enemies generally disappear amid puffs of smoke/scattered coins. One prison scene depicts machines that continuously tickle, slap, and kick restrained characters. During the course of the game, a handful of female characters are dressed in outfits that expose moderate cleavage. One mini-game depicts a hippo dancing suggestively for nearby soldiers; another sequence requires players’ character (a female fox) to distract enemy guards with her dance moves (“Shake it!” and “Move that thing!” can be heard in the background). An Old West-themed level depicts barrels/bottles labeled “hooch” and “XXX.” One boss character is portrayed with a lit cigar in his mouth.
As for Wonderbook: Book of Spells, you can expect to stun attacking werewolves using your magic wand and even watch a ‘pant-less gnome lifting its leg to emit flatulence’.
Wonderbook: Book of Spells (November 13th)
Descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence
Rating summary: In this activity game, players interact with a “magical” textbook to perform spells and uncover humorous anecdotes from the Harry Potter universe. As players practice fantasy spells and charms, they can engage in various mini-games: mixing potions; levitating objects; using a magic wand to disarm wizards or stun attacking werewolves. Diorama-style cutscenes include other acts of violence: small cardboard-like characters crushed by falling animals; struck by colorful bursts of light; or eaten by giant cats. Some sequences depict bathroom humor (e.g, a character popping a boil; a pant-less gnome creature lifting its leg to emit flatulence). An alcohol reference can be heard during the course of the game (“Naturally, the sight of cakes and wine flying along the streets. . .”).
