Final Fantasy 16 will mark a new chapter for the Final Fantasy series, as it will be the first game among the series' numbered entries to receive the rating of M for Mature in North America. The rating was confirmed after preorders for Final Fantasy 16 went live following the conclusion of The Game Awards.
In the lead-up to the release of Final Fantasy 16's latest trailer, it was revealed by the Brazilian Interactive Rating System that the game would be rated in the country as unsuitable for children under the age of 16. Further, the rating stated that Final Fantasy 16 will feature drugs and torture in some capacity.
During the 2022 edition of The Game Awards, the final trailer shown during the broadcast was titled "Revenge," and was revealed in person by Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida. The trailer showed graphic imagery, including the visible, blood-spilling death of a chocobo within the first few seconds. The chocobo's demise cemented early on that the game would be rated M for Mature in North America. The game was also rated similarly in Europe and other territories. According to Square Enix, Final Fantasy 16's rating is due to violence, blood and gore, strong language, sexual themes, and partial nudity. A Final Fantasy 16 gameplay trailer titled "Dominance" was released in May 2022 and implied that nudity and sexual content would be featured in the game.
At the "Revenge" trailer's conclusion, the release date of Final Fantasy 16 was revealed. The game will release on June 22, 2023 as a PS5 timed exclusive for six months. Preorders for Final Fantasy 16 began shortly after the conclusion of The Game Awards. The physical Collector's Edition will begin taking preorders on December 12 exclusively on the Square Enix Store.
While other entries in the Final Fantasy mainline series have typically received ratings of T for Teen or similar, the M-rated nature of Final Fantasy 16 was out of necessity, according to Yoshida. Yoshida added that the story of Final Fantasy 16 is driven by a more personal narrative that the development team wants to tell. Between the tragedies surrounding the brothers Clive and Joshua Rosfield, the political machinations of the warring nations of Valisthea, and the mysterious powers granted by the Mothercrystals that can turn the Dominants into the kaiju-like Eikons, the intrigue surrounding Final Fantasy 16 continues to grow. It will be a long six-month wait for Final Fantasy fans, and only time will tell if the game will be worth the wait.
Final Fantasy 16 will be released on June 22, 2023 for PS5.
Source: Push Square
