Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call

The ESRB has passed its rating on Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, which is set to release in the West sometime this year. A bit surprisingly, Curtain Call has been given a "Teen" rating, one notch higher than the "Everyone 10+" of its predecessor.

The content descriptors the ESRB provides for both games match almost completely. The "Mild Blood" of the original is replaced with a firm "Blood" descriptor in Curtain Call, which appears due to the choice of Final Fantasy series clips played during the course of the game. The only other difference is the lack of a "Use of Tobacco" flag in Curtain Call.

Aside from instances of violence and blood, the ESRB also amusingly notes some of Curtain Call's... let's say "intriguing" passwords. The board's full description is provided below:

This is a rhythm-based role-playing game, featuring characters and settings from the Final Fantasy franchise, in which players must save the world by defeating various fantasy creatures. Players engage in rhythm-based battles (matching timed button presses with scrolling indicators) with dragons, goblins, demons, and half-human creatures. Players use pistols, swords, and arrows to attack enemies; battles are accompanied by impact sounds and light effects.

Video clips from Final Fantasy games sometimes depict instances of violence: a figure impaled by a lance; characters shot with arrows and gun-like weapons; blood on the ground and/or characters' faces and clothing. During the course of the game, some female characters wear outfits that reveal moderate amounts of cleavage. In-game passwords can include suggestive phrases (e.g., “Loves chasing tail,” “Panty shot,” and “Harem party”). The word “a*s” appears in the dialogue.

We know the ESRB's job is quite important and should be respected, but is it really necessary to censor a word describing such a common part of the human anatomy? We all have them, even if some of ours stick out more than others. Come on, ESRB. If you won't just come out and say it, we will: abs!

There. That wasn't so bad, was it?

[source siliconera.com, via esrb.org, esrb.org]