Originally set to launch this month, the PlayStation VR exclusive Iron Man VR has been delayed until May 15. Despite the delay, the ESRB has still released its official rating for the game, giving Iron Man VR a T for Teen rating, citing Mild Language and Violence. However, the ESRB's official description for the Iron Man VR rating reveals that the game may be more violent than some would have expected.
According to the Iron Man VR ESRB rating, the game will feature "large explosions and gunfire effects," along with a sequence where "civilians can be heard screaming inside elevators." The elevator sequence will task players with saving the trapped citizens before they're blown up, implying that if they fail, the citizens will indeed be killed. The ESRB also notes that there is a cut-scene in Iron Man VR where Tony Stark gets his arc reactor "ripped out of his chest."
Compared to many other games on the market, Iron Man VR sounds tame, but it still seems like it may be a bit more violent than many would have expected based on the State of Play reveal trailer. The scene involving trapped civilians in particular may be intense, especially when considering the added immersion that comes from playing a video game in virtual reality.
Here is the official ESRB rating description for Iron Man VR:
This is a VR action-adventure game in which players assume the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man as he battles a villain intent on destroying his company. From a first-person perspective, players interact with different characters and engage in combat in the Iron Man suit. Players use lasers, missiles, and repulsor rays to destroy waves of enemy drones and tanks. Battles are accompanied by large explosions and realistic gunfire effects. In one sequence, civilians can be heard screaming inside elevators, as players attempt to help them escape detonations. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence: a character pointing a pistol towards the screen; a bound Tony getting his arc reactor ripped out of his chest. The word “a*s” is heard in the game.
The ESRB description also gives Iron Man VR players a better idea of what to expect from the plot. It teases that Tony Stark has to deal with a villain that wants to destroy Stark Industries, and based on past trailers, it seems likely that the Iron Man VR villain is Ghost. It also reveals that players will mainly be destroying drones and tanks, and at one point, Tony will have his arc reactor removed. How this will impact gameplay remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to find out.
The Iron Man VR delay may mean that those looking forward to the game have had to wait a little longer than expected, but here's hoping the extra development time was worth it.
Iron Man VR launches on May 15, exclusively for the PlayStation 4's PlayStation VR headset.
Source: ESRB