Assassin's Creed Shadows Rated M18 for Intense Violence and Sexual Content

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has rated the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows game M18 due to its intense violence and suggestive sexual content. Set in Japan's Sengoku period, players control two protagonists: the ninja master Naoe and the legendary African samurai Yasuke.

The game boasts a vast open world brimming with political intrigue, warfare, and espionage. Combat is brutally realistic, featuring graphic depictions of blood and gore as players wield katanas, kanabō, spears, and other traditional Japanese weapons. Yasuke's fighting style, in particular, emphasizes decapitations and dismemberments, contributing to the game's gritty atmosphere. Cinematic sequences further enhance the somber tone, including scenes with severed heads and blood-soaked corpses. One scene specifically depicts a head rolling across the ground after an execution.

Beyond the violence, Assassin's Creed Shadows explores romantic relationships. Dialogue choices allow players to develop emotional connections with characters, leading to intimate moments such as kisses and caresses. While these scenes avoid explicit nudity, they transition to a black screen before depicting anything beyond the M18 rating.

Assassin's Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Fans can expect a mature and engaging experience capturing the chaos of feudal Japan, pushing the boundaries of the series' storytelling. The game's blend of historical authenticity, dynamic gameplay, and thought-provoking narratives promises a memorable adventure.