The details below come directly from the BBFC classification site, and while I am not fully up to date with all the information released regarding the plot of
Arkham City the guys over at
Now Gamer have pointed out that the exert highlighted in blue below is a bit of a spoiler.
BATMAN - ARKHAM CITY is an action adventure stealth game sequel. Played from the third person perspective , it is set in the open world environment of Arkham City, a cordoned off area of Gotham City that serves as a prison. The player assumes the role of Batman (Catwoman is also a playable character) and during the course of the game the player-controlled character encounters several familiar enemies. The game was classified '15' for strong violence.
The BBFC's Guidelines at '15' state 'Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory moments are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable'. The player dispatches opponents, some of whom are armed with firearms or blunt weapons such as baseball bats, with crunchy third person perspective punches, kicks and throws. He is also able to evade enemy assaults and launch counterattacks. That said, the game includes little in the way of blood or injury detail and there are no particularly strong gory images. The strongest moment occurs during a cut scene in which the point of a blade is seen to emerge from the abdomen of Professor Strange, after he has been run through from behind with a sword. There is no blood spurt, only a little blood on his tunic around the exit wound when the blade is withdrawn. The violence that Batman metes out is not sadistic in nature. Moreover, he cannot harm friendly characters and it is impossible to mutilate or otherwise damage fallen opponents. Batman is equipped with his usual array of gadgets - batarangs, smoke pellets, frequency scanners, a grappling gun with which he can quickly haul himself to the top of tall buildings and structures, and an evidence scanner with which he can examine and assess crime scenes. He is encouraged to use stealth to achieve his objectives, rather than just violence, and the game includes several problem-solving missions.
BATMAN - ARKHAM CITY includes some very mild sexual innuendo during banter between Batman and a couple of the female characters. From time to time a neon sign with the message 'Live Nude' can be seen on the city skyline. The moderate language in the game would have been acceptable at 'PG'.
Be sure to share your thoughts on the game below.
Thanks for reading.