ESRB Reveals Rating Summary for Destiny 2

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) published its full rating summary for Destiny 2, assigning the title a “T” for Teen rating. This decision aligned the sequel with the original Destiny, which also received a Teen rating. The official content descriptors listed for the game were Blood, Language, and Violence, providing a general overview of the elements that contributed to the rating determination.

Gameplay and Violence

The ESRB summary described Destiny 2 as a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of Guardians, a group tasked with defending humanity from a hostile alien force. The gameplay loop involves traveling across futuristic landscapes and planets to engage in combat with what the board called “a horde of alien creatures.”

The summary provided specific details about the game’s combat mechanics. Players utilize a varied arsenal that includes conventional weapons like pistols, machine guns, and rocket launchers. Alongside these are more fantastical elemental weapons, such as a “flame sword” and a “lightning staff.” The ESRB characterized the battles as “frenetic,” a description that points to high-paced action. The experience is enhanced by audio-visual effects, including “realistic gunfire and large explosions,” which are central to the game’s presentation of violence.

Specific Content Examples

Beyond general gameplay, the ESRB cited specific instances of content that warranted the rating. The summary noted that cutscenes sometimes depict intense sequences, including dramatic spaceship battles and characters being subjected to violence such as getting shot, electrocuted, and strangled. These scenes contribute to the overall tone of the narrative.

Regarding the “Blood” descriptor, the rating summary clarified its application. Splashes of red blood occasionally appear on the screen when players are injured, serving as a visual indicator of damage. The violence against enemies was also detailed; some creatures were described as emitting “splashes of black liquid when killed,” differentiating alien gore from human-like blood.

For the “Language” descriptor, the ESRB pointed to a specific instance of strong language. The summary stated that the word “a*shole” is heard in the game’s dialogue. The inclusion of this single word was enough to warrant the language warning.

Destiny 2 was scheduled to be released on September 6, 2017, for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a PC version to follow. The ESRB rating was made public in the months leading up to its launch, allowing consumers to make an informed decision about the game’s content.