Only two spin-off games using the Final Fantasy name have received M ratings in the past: 2015's Final Fantasy Type-0 HD and 2022's Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Series entries from the 3D era overwhelmingly max out at a T (for Teen) rating Final Fantasy XV, for instance, received a T rating for 'Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence.' The ESRB's write-up of the game's content noted 'realistic gunfire' and impaled characters, as well as 'some female characters are depicted topless, with breasts that lack discernible details (i.e., no nipples).'

In the US, early 2D Final Fantasy games have generally received ESRB ratings of E (for Everyone) or E-10+ (for Everyone 10 or older). more explicit,' he said, but to 'explore those more mature themes that the game tackles.' Advertisement

To get around that problem, Yoshida said Final Fantasy XVI will be 'pursu a mature rating in most of the regions that will be releasing the game.' That isn't just for the sake of being 'more violent or. And that ends up making the entire experience feel a little bit cheaper.' 'You wanted to show something, but because you have this certain rating that you need to go to-you need to move the camera away. 'You find yourself changing things that you wanted to do in the game based on that rating,' Yoshida said. Responding to a question about 'implied nudity' in a recent trailer for the game, Yoshida complained a bit about age ratings that he sees as 'becom more and more restrictive recently regarding what can or cannot be shown.' While acknowledging that those ratings are important to protect younger players, Yoshida said a lower age rating can be 'somewhat of a hindrance' to storytelling. That's according to producer Naoki Yoshida, who told GameSpot in a recent interview that the higher age rating is needed to tell a story with 'difficult adult themes.' Next year's Final Fantasy XVI aims to be the first mainline, numbered game in the franchise to receive an M (for Mature) rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board. A recent trailer for Final Fantasy XVI hints at a Game of Thrones-style epic war storyline.

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