Featuring hardened criminals who had escaped from prison, violent looters taking advantage of the city's shutdown, and action-packed shootouts, Ubisoft's The Division could be a pretty grim game. And according to a recently-filed ESRB rating, Ubisoft plans to take that to the next level with The Division 2.

The Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has revealed its rating for The Division 2, which will be released in March. Like its predecessor, The Division 2 has been given a mature rating for "blood," "drug reference[s]," "intense violence," and "strong language."

In its rating, the ESRB says that The Division 2's combat is "highlighted by realistic gunfire, cries of pain, and blood-splatter effects." Cutscenes are even more intense, though, explains the rating board. Some cutscenes depict characters being shot in the head at close range and in another detailed by the ESRB, a restrained character is "repeatedly" struck in the head by a hammer. Thankfully for those who are a bit squeamish, the violent hammer attack is mostly depicted off-screen.

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According to the ESRB, The Division 2 features one other big change for the series (besides the move to Washington D.C.). The rating board says that a fictional drug called Spice is "prevalent" throughout the game, as players will encounter bags of the drug, drug labs, and drug-making paraphernalia. The rating description even explains that the words "Drug Kitchen" are written on some walls, confirming that subtlety won't be a strong suit of The Division 2's NPCs.

Ubisoft already confirmed that its new game would introduce new enemy factions, like the militaristic True Sons, for example. These factions will have their own motivations, with the True Sons having a vendetta against the JTF. Members of True Sons also believe that resources should be given to them and that others should be left to fend for themselves. Others factions, it seems, will be keen to create criminal enterprises including drug trafficking.

Other changes that have been previously confirmed by Ubisoft include dynamic faction wars, a longer story campaign, and 8-player raids. These should hopefully give players plenty of opportunities to learn more about the factions and see the sometimes gruesome and brutal activities that they get up to.

The Division 2 releases on March 15, 2019 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: ESRB