Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077 have the same M rating, but one isn’t like the other

ESRB ratings can often give players an idea of what to expect in a game—Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077 both have M ratings, which typically means they contain violence, gore, and adult themes. But while the latter does include these elements in spades, the former doesn’t quite live up to its mature billing. Of course, there are a few references here and there to justify it (see: the gambling paradise that is The Red Mile), but all these themes are tame compared to CDPR’s futuristic dystopia.

Fans on Reddit are similarly pointing out Starfield’s lack of mature themes, with u/AWarlock86 stating that “it doesn’t feel like an M-rated game.” Afterward, they compared it to Bethesda’s other Fallout entries, noting that one of the most enjoyable aspects of these games was the blood and gore that came with them. One example that comes to mind is New Vegas’s liberal use of graphic violence, and, of course, its primary setting on the Strip makes it ripe for adult content.

Others chimed in, with one commenter even calling Starfield’s Neon City nightclub the “worst [they’ve] ever seen.” That said, you’ll need to remember that these ratings are distributed by entirely separate entities (ESRB, PEGI, etc.), so Bethesda, CDPR, and other studios can’t control what their games are rated. However, it can’t be denied that Starfield does have a glaring lack of blood-and-gut spillage that Bethesda fans have become familiar with, so these complaints are understandable.

Unfortunately, an update drastically changing Starfield’s gore levels seems unlikely at this point. So now, the community can only hope for Bethesda’s next creation to be more generous in providing the wildly graphic scenes and adult themes that fans have come to know and love. Until then, check out our guides on the Starfield Mantis puzzle solution and how to sell items on Starfield so you can navigate the Settled Systems with ease.