The Harry Potter books, and their subsequent movies, were always meant to be for most ages. After all, they featured a magical world, wonderful characters, fantastic beasts, etc. It was a great place to let your imagination run wild, and that’s why people latched onto it. The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy game is one that many fans of this franchise are looking forward to. As a result, they’re curious about what the rating for the game will be when it arrives next February. If you’re in Australia, the answer to that question might surprise you. Why? Because the Australian Classification Board has rated it “M For Mature.”
That will shock some, and it’s not explicitly stated why the board labeled it as such. It does note that the game has “supernatural themes and violence,” but so do other games, and they weren’t given an M rating. It should be noted that the Australian Board doesn’t follow the same levels of ratings as the ESRB or PEGI. For example, on Reddit, one commenter noted what it takes to get an M from the board down under:
“Recommended for people aged 15 years and over. People under 15 may legally access this material because it is an advisory category. This category contains material that may require a mature perspective, but is not deemed too strong for younger viewers.”
So in this context, they’re saying that “mature” is not just its rating but that you need to be a bit mature to understand what’s going on here. A unique way of rating a game, wouldn’t you say?
Based on the game’s content, we can understand some of what they’re going for here. Past trailers confirmed that the title would delve into some dark themes, including some of the students willingly learning the Unforgivable Curses. Plus, the PlayStation-exclusive quests will have you battling a haunted Hogsmeade building that gives off horror vibes. Of course, given the vastness of both Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its surrounding grounds, more scares are likely to be had.
But if you live in the US, you’re likely to get a T rating for the game, as their judgment system is slightly different.
Rating confusion aside, Hogwarts Legacy still aims to be a game that fans of the franchise can enjoy playing. You’ll get to create your own young wizard or witch and enroll at Hogwarts. Then, after you choose your wand and house, you’ll start your magical journey. Unlike the books, there is no “set path.” Instead, you’ll make choices and guide where the story goes. You’ll battle creatures, learn no magic, unravel the school’s mysteries, and so on.
We’ll find out on February 10th how well the game holds up and how dark the content truly is.
Source: Reddit
