Killzone 3 ESRB Rating: Violence In Explicit Detail

Wouldn't you like to work for the ESRB? It'd be your job to describe a game's potentially offensive content in detail.

The ESRB has rated Killzone 3 and unsurprisingly, it has earned the "M"-Mature rating, mostly for extreme violence. A reader turned us onto the ESRB's content description, which sort of repels and attracts at the exact same time:

"This is a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of interplanetary soldiers who must salvage mankind's future. Players use electricity guns, pistols, machine guns, flamethrowers, and plasma grenades to destroy robot drones and enemy soldiers. Frenetic battles are highlighted by realistic gunfire and screams of pain; enemies emit large splashes of blood when shot. The game also depicts intense close-up attacks against enemies: snapping necks, slicing throats, stabbing or gouging eyes. Some weapons (e.g., boltgun and sniper rifle) can decapitate enemy soldiers with headshots, and one blood-splattered environment depicts severed human limbs. Language such as "f*ck" and "sh*t" can be heard in the dialogue."

Yeah, that sounds like a shooter. We find it interesting that so few of these descriptions are actually read by parents, many of whom still refuse to believe video games can have the same content as rated "R" movies. Just as a personal anecdote, I distinctly recall working at EB and having parents who not only didn't care what the ESRB said, but passed the entire thing off as a fad, and denounced the industry for "trying to be something real."

Of course, that was a good 10 years ago now but I'm sure those parents still exist. Anyway, KZ3 hits February 22 for all you mature individuals.

Related Game(s): Killzone 3

Tags: killzone 3, kz3, killzone 3 rating, esrb

12/31/2010 10:37:49 AM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (54 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

NazzyQ
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 10:50:46 AM
Reply

You could probably glean all that information from a single screenshot of the game.

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:01:30 AM

...and what parent would ever have seen a screenshot?

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:35:02 PM

Watchers of Fox News.

5 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 4:37:17 PM

Or the 12 people in the US who watch MSNBC?

;)

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 5:10:21 PM

They don't cover games that will ruin lives.

0 up, 0 down

NazzyQ
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 10:11:53 AM

Those who bother to look at the reverse of the boxart

3 up, 0 down

0_o
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 10:56:07 AM
Reply

Of Course.

0 up, 0 down

matt99
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:05:04 AM
Reply

The annoying part is those same ignorant parents see their kids playing the game and then go insane trying to ban it.

10 up, 1 down

NoOneSpecial
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:21:16 AM

I fail to understand why they can't adopt the "Don't like it, don't play/buy it" philosphy. What's the point of banning it?

2 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:14:20 PM

That's like buying your kid drugs and then flipping when they start using them. Bad parents. Bad humans.

8 up, 0 down

matt99
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 1:28:19 AM

There is no point in banning it, but they like to control everything

1 up, 0 down

booze925
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:19:10 AM
Reply

ah, the return of the infamous F*CK ans SH*T
"Where the F*CK is Garza when you need him?"
"F*CK this!" "SH*T!"
im all for swearing and everything, but if i hear rico or natko say another phrase similar to that one i will not buy another killzone game until it has been confirmed that either they die, or even better: you fight them.
to me that would be my favorite boss fight of this generation. nothing would make me feel better that watching both those knuckleheads die at my hand.

10 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:20:24 PM

Swearing can be used to emphasize the intensity of the situation and the emotion of the characters. When done too liberally it cheapens the effect. What are they trying to prove and who are they tring to prove it to?

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:29:03 PM

Guerrilla has made it very clear in interviews that the swearing has been cut way down in KZ3.

4 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:33:20 PM

booze925,

I don't think there was an over-abundance of swearing in Killzone, IMO, it was just enough needed there to fully flesh out the atmosphere & a certain character.

BUT, if you thought you heard it way too much in KZ, then don't ever play "Rouge Warrior".....

Your eardrums will explode from all the gratuitous F & S slime invading them.

Last edited by BikerSaint on 12/31/2010 1:39:07 PM

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:36:58 PM

I knew a guy who said "F*ckin" in every single sentence. It was funny to see how he would use it next.

5 up, 0 down

main_event05
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 4:46:03 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCcCzj_yRtk

2 up, 0 down

Shams
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 5:46:17 PM

You know a guy's got it bad when he when a guy uses it as a adverb, adjective, and noun all in the same sentence!..."That f*ckin', f*ck, f*ck!!!"

Just as ridiculous as when a guy substitutes or couples thought-lag delimiters such as "um", and "like" with "f*ckin"....

"he was like...f*ckin'...going to see his...f*ckin'...folks...for the holidays, and they were like...f*ckin'...'you're not f*ckin' going anywhere', and i was like...fuck...what are we s'pose to fuckin' do? F*ck!"

Worst is when a hominid uses a word standing for all that is holy, and combines it with "f*ckin", so as to add a couple more emphatic syllables. The height of shamelessness. I won't bother even giving an example. And please don't, either, as tempting as it may be.

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 6:26:35 PM

Shams,
I was gonna go on about some of my buddies in a certain Italian crew who like using the F word in biblical terms.
And then I thought.....awww F*ck it.

(Or as the crew would say, "F*ckgetaboutit"!)

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 6:45:15 PM

BikerSaint,

Lol! Some folks just don't have any f'n morals! Remember Joe Pesci in Casino: "I see you, you f*cks, you!"

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 3:34:01 AM

Shams,
And Joe Pesci in "Goodfellas" too.

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 5:03:27 AM

Lol! That guy's a terror. But you're cool in my book, BikerSaint. Happy New Year.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 9:43:01 PM

Thanks Shams, feeling's mutual here too.

0 up, 0 down

booze925
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:21:47 AM
Reply

on a higher note...
killzone got an m-rating? might as well tell me pam anderson got a boob-job

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:37:31 PM

I think she got more than one.

1 up, 0 down

Godslim
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:23:23 AM
Reply

as long as the swearing isnt stupid like k2s with rico then its cool man i hated him

4 up, 1 down

Qubex
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:41:40 AM
Reply

A day one buy now... even more goo will be flowing than previously thought... bring it on Hellies...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

1 up, 1 down

Alienange
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:18:44 PM
Reply

The "intense close up attacks" seem overboard. All shooters have melee attacks, but this seems like too much. Couple the brutality described here with the return of Guerrilla's famous swearing neanderthals and it's a no go for me. Graphics alone don't carry a game anywhere.

1 up, 8 down

Norrin Radd
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:25:59 PM

Let's remember for a second that those gruesome up close melee attacks (awesome! That ESRB description has me more pumped for this game! But I digress.) are at the option of the player. If you don't want to see them - just shoot the enemy with your gun - no requirement for melee attacks, AFAIK. Just keep your finger off of that L1 button up close. Problem solved.

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:40:08 PM

Oscar the Grouch.

6 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:41:10 PM

Then just put the "Don't buy- Don't tell" rule into play.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:39:25 PM

Nonsense, I enjoyed pulling the innards out of a creature via his a*shole in Splatterhouse and I will fully enjoy snapping people's necks :)

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 12/31/2010 2:39:54 PM

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:54:49 PM
Reply

Looking forward to it. Though I hope the cursing really is toned down like Guerilla promised. Like Godslim, I couldn't stand Rico. If he didn't talk so much I wouldn't have minded him so much.

2 up, 1 down

GuyverLT
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:50:20 PM
Reply

Little Boy: Hey Dad can you buy me a video game for my birthday.

The Dad: Which one do you want son?

Little Boy: GOWIII.

The Dad: GOWIII??? What kind of game is that???

Little Boy: GOWIII is about this really cool angry bald guy who kills Gods and hordes of demons for revenge.

The Dad: OK son.

....15min later arrives at Wal-Mart....

The Dad: Excuse me sir I wanna buy this here Video game thingamabob or whatever.

Store Clerk: UMMM.. Are you buying this for your son cause it's an M-rated game.

The Dad: M-rated game what's that mean???

Store Clerk: M-rated means it's only recommendable to 17/18yrs an older....

The Dad: Oh Nonsense it's just a video game, nothing more than a child's play thing, it can't be all THAT bad can it????

Store Clerk: But sir....

The Dad: Oh stop all your pointless babble, & ring the damn up!!!!

Store Clerk: Sir I really don't think....

The Dad: Am I going to have get your manager down here????

Store Clerk: Ok sir whatever you say....

Moral to this story parents should really start to pay more attention and stop writing our precious games off like were still in the days of pong.

Last edited by GuyverLT on 12/31/2010 1:54:54 PM

6 up, 2 down

TheShadow
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 5:03:12 PM

here's the ending to your story:

Little boy: "take that and that"

Father: (comes into little boy's room while he's playing GOW) "you playin your game you just bought.

Little boy: yes. its cool take a look

Father: (looking at scene where kratos ripes open Helios head) OMG, what game is this, this game is horrible, you are not playing this ever again, im taking it back to the store young man.

I think everybody should know what happens now.

In any case parents like these don't care what game they buy for the child and they think is like Pong (like you said) until they see it and go nuts trying to ban it ext ext.

1 up, 0 down

Bugzbunny109
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:58:07 PM
Reply

Of course parents would never have any problems with movies because they avidly watch them. But video games... according to them, they are definitely pernicious even though most of the TV shows and movies they watch have at least one sex scene in them.

3 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:02:21 PM
Reply

Sounds delightfully twisted. I loved that speargun in the original that you could pin enemies to the wall with. KZ3 sounds brutal as all hell, and it fits with atmosphere of war. Bring it on I say. Curiously, it releases on my father's birthday.
Peace.

1 up, 0 down

A2K78
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:11:35 PM
Reply

I don't really trust the discriptors the ESRB tend to assign to games. Why? Based on the games in my collection I tend find some of the ratings either inconsistent or off the mark. Example of what I'm talking about...despite getting a "E" rating, I'm kinda shocked that a game like Aero Elite Combat Academy got a "violent" discriptor unlike its predecessor Aero Dancing 2 which never got a violent discriptor.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:43:54 PM
Reply

Sounds like the ESRB just wrote their own advertisement for the game. Violence in Explicit Detail is a good thing.

I've been exposed to extreme violence since I was a kid and I have yet to murder anyone.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 6:37:53 PM

I think the ERSB should attach an M rating to their own explicit rating explanation.

0 up, 0 down

StangMan80
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 3:39:24 PM
Reply

IM MATURE!
This game is going to be AAAAAAAAWESOME!
This game will be on top of GOTY for 2011, I just know it, I can feel it. Killzone 3 will be here on feb.22!
who has the countdown?
or will I have to start my own again

Last edited by StangMan80 on 12/31/2010 3:40:20 PM

2 up, 0 down

mackid1993
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 3:48:37 PM
Reply

That really sounds great. The trailers have really turned me onto this game, and now I can't wait for it. It is also nice to be at an age where I don't have to ask my mom to buy it for me. Hooray!

0 up, 0 down

RX78Zero
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 12:01:48 AM
Reply

Happy new year people, Killzone 3 along with the other promising games are now that much closer to your homes.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 12:59:28 AM
Reply

im really betting the farm on KZ3.
so far i have been soooooooooooo let down with 3D effects in ps3 games!
play mafia 2 or BFBC2 on the PC in 3D and your blown away!
you have shrapnel as grenades explode flying towards you, you have bullets flying towards you, in BFBC2 the gun actually comes out of the screen to represent recoil.
but none of the games ive played in 3D have anything like that, nothing poping out of the screen.
in fact i cant even tell 3D is actually turned on, if i did not take my glasses off and see the blurry screen.
PoP collection, sly cooper collection, COD BO, TRON, GT5, enslaved, PAIN, super stardust HD, wipeout HD, none of the games ive played in 3D really have any 3D effects.
the only one that has really had anything fly out of the screen is motorstorm 3D upgrade, which really does not have much just the mud but it does not really fly at you, more like ooze out of the screen.

im hoping KZ3,U3, crysis 2 will all change that because so far ive been really underwhelmed by it.
im glad i got my new TV because my old one was a heap of tripe, but 3D wise its seriously disappointing!
have not tried any movies yet because im waiting on my redemption back so will be interesting to see if thats any better.
but i seriously hope 3D on the ps3 gets a whole lot better than this, otherwise maybe its time for me to sell my ps3 and just play all my games on the PC.
after playing mafia 2 in 3D on the PC, it really makes it hard to play anything on the ps3.
like going from a 5 star top of the line hotel, to a motel six with leaking roofs and rooms that stink of wet dogs!

0 up, 3 down

GuyverLT
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 11:17:50 AM

Then instead complaining about 3D since you have such a problem with it how about you stop trying to play thing s in 3D you'll save yourself a whole lot of pain cause you are the only one here who seems to have that problem. I personally could care less about 3D movement cause it hurts my eyes I don't bother with it.

Last edited by GuyverLT on 1/1/2011 11:21:10 AM

2 up, 1 down

___________
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 6:21:27 AM

right, so common sense is to spend 3K on a 3D TV and not use it when i could of bought a 2D TV for less than 2K with the exact same features?
im the only one here complaining about it because im the only one thats seen what PCs can do, and was expecting something similar.
go watch avatar in 3D, than go play a ps3 game in 3D.
avatar is what i was expecting, what im getting i honestly cant even tell the 3D effects are on!
its not only games either, movies have the same effect.
i thought it would be the same as the cinemas but its nothing like it.

0 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 3:38:20 AM
Reply

Calibrate it?

0 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 6:44:47 AM
Reply

I like brutal violence, I like gore, and I like swearing, but if it's not wrapped around any sort of substance of any merit, it doesn't mean anything.

Killzone 2 was a beyond mediocre FPS game with amateur storytelling wrapped in really pretty graphics.

With a little over two months away till launch, I don't think there's anything they can do to get me to buy this game.

0 up, 4 down

Snaaaake
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 8:54:29 AM
Reply

Dear parents, there's a reason why we have ratings for video games just like movies.

Beside, if you taught your child well, letting him play M-rated games such as GTA at 14 wouldn't be a problem.

2 up, 0 down

Kevin555
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 10:28:45 AM
Reply

I get abit sick of the whole "Think of the children" BS. Granted, no kid should be seeing this kind of game which is why we have implemented a system under the guise of classifications. If the number on the little box is above your age, then no sell. Simple.

If a parent can't dicipline their child responsibly & succumbs to their kids needs then that is their problem, noone else's.

1 up, 0 down

A2K78
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 11:42:33 AM
Reply

"I've been exposed to extreme violence since I was a kid and I have yet to murder anyone."

Just because you've been exposed to violence and haven't murdered anyone doesn't mean there isn't any inherent or underlying effects of that. Just ask those who served in the military suffer from PTSD and other pscyhological effects of live combat.

As I have said, even though like the idea of the ESRB policing the game industry(instead of the government), at the same time I've become very skepticle of how they do business based on the many inconsistancies I've noticed in my games, all which of lead to take the side of a ex-ESRB rater:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6187343.html

I like gaming, however as realist one thing I'll never do is be ignorant at is the fact there is still problems at the top-level of my kind of entertainment.

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 12:05:48 PM
Reply

Y didn't they say anything about the cod mw2 airport killing scene?

0 up, 0 down

ghjrftyhs
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 9:03:49 PM
Reply

$$$$$$$$ w w w . s h o e r s . u s $$$$$$$$

Air (1-24)shoes $33

Nike (R 4,N Z,O Z,T L 1,T L 2,T L 3) $35

Handbags(Coach d&g) $35

competitive price
any size available

Thanks

$$$$$$$$ w w w . s h o e r s . u s $$$$$$$$

0 up, 0 down

ahgtoy
Sunday, January 02, 2011 @ 8:04:29 PM
Reply

Hello. My friend

w w w . a e o o e . c o m

Dedicated service, the new style, so you feel like a warm autumn!!!

WE ACCEPT PYAPAL PAYMENT

YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!!

thank you !!!

w w w . a e o o e . c o m

0 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars cheats	PSP
FIFA 07 cheats	PS2
Toca Touring Cars 2 cheats	PS1
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin cheats	PS2
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 cheats	PS3
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped cheats	PS1

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Killzone 3 ESRB Rating: Violence In Explicit Detail

Comments (54 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll