Given that Sony has delayed The Last of Us: Part II until further notice and the company's PlayStation 5 plans have allegedly been upended by the coronavirus, it's fair to expect more disruptions. The most prominent example in the land of PS4 is of course Ghost of Tsushima. The upcoming open world set during the Mongol invasions of Japan is looking very promising indeed, but given the state of the planet, it's thought that Sony will delay this game just as with Naughty Dog's latest. Our reader poll indicates that the majority of you are expecting this to happen.
However, with no official word on the matter, there's no way we can really know for sure. Things have been quiet on Sucker Punch Studio's game for a little while now, but it would seem Sony is confident in the 26th June release date. The latest scrap of evidence of this is an age certification in Australia. The game has been classified as MA15+, which appears to be the equivalent of a T in the USA or a 16 in Europe.
What does this tell us, exactly? Well, aside from confirming the game contains some language and strong violence (no surprises there), it suggests the game is pretty much done. Age ratings don't usually show up until a couple of months prior to release, even where delays are factored in. For instance, if The Last of Us 2 was coming out as intended on 29th May, there should be an Australian rating listed for it, but there isn't. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is another example; initially scheduled for 2015, the game was then expected to launch before the end of March 2016, but finally arrived in May of that year. The game wasn't rated in Australia until 31st March 2016.
Of course, the world's current situation is a very unique set of circumstances. It's possible Sony could still delay Ghost of Tsushima despite the Australian rating. However, with this historic info, it appears the game is on course for its summer debut.
What do you think? Does this age rating suggest the game really is coming in June, or does it have no bearing? Tell us what you reckon in the comments below.
[source classification.gov.au, via twistedvoxel.com]
Comments 23
Hoping it's on track, but expecting that it's not.
Seems the safest way to avoid disappointment. It would be a great bonus in the middle of all this crud if it came out on time though.
I'm very excited for the game, but i don't mind waiting for it.
I preordered GoT on PS Store and I REALLY hope it will be released on time but I can't help feel it would have been better if Last Of Us Part II had been released first, as I have played Nioh 2 nonstop since it released in midmarch. And I afraid that 2 samurai games back to back will burn me out on the genre. Hopefully not but LoU 2 would have been the perfect inbetween game imho.
It would definitely hurt sales. Let's wait and see.
I really hope the game is not delayed, the steelbook is nice but I plan to buy it digitally.
@LN78 Yeah, this. It's all about logistic since physical games still important for console.
I do still think there is more to the Last of Us delay than Sony are telling us. I wouldnt be at all surprised if the themes of the game were deemed too sensitive in the current climate. Sony don't need bad press right now leading up to PS5.
So i think Ghost has a real chance of hitting its release date, but if you want a physical copy, pre-order it soon as there will be limited numbers to go around initially
On the topic of games ratings being an indicator of games being close to done
https://twitter.com/AdamBadowski/status/1248255878710595585
With GoT still a couple of months away I could easily see the release being under slightly more normal conditions.
Something else is up with TLoU2....and Teen? Damn. I was expecting a certain level of brutal with this game. Tenchu style.
If a game is ready for release, gamers will understand if a title is not available for physical release until Covid-19 is under control. I'm sure I read previously that digital game sales have overtaken physical sales over the last couple of years so I don't see a reason why finished games can't be released digitally in the interim and the Physical versions being released at a later date when safe to do so.
@Zeke68 same i just bought nioh 2 also. Really wanted tlou2 and then outriders. But I hope mortal shell gets released as that game looks dope as hell. Ps4 going out with a bang this year but i can happily wait until next year for the ps5. I litteraly own to many games to worry about what's next. Days gone was good also. But i just bought judgment on ebay to pass the time instead of gta which I am officially fed up with now. Also still have rdr2 still to finish off so gonna bust through the old catalogue of games before i bother about next gen.
If the game is ready, then they could use the extra time between now and release to manufacture/distribute the discs as this process will probably take longer than usual because of the virus. Either way, I have everything crossed it comes out on time, because there’s currently not a lot else on the gaming horizon
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
@Bobskie77
Rdr2, yeah I completed that game ages ago, but I only have like 2 % left on the hunting and fishing challenges. Hmm, might be a great time to do the remaining ones this weekend.
Fingers crossed this will arrive on time. Ive made a good dent in my backlog and, with the last of us on hold, i should be raring to go.
Yea I believe this will hit its release date. That's almost July. They cant have these titles crammed together in the fall, and I can see them trying to double deep and push TLOU2 as a PS5 launch title.
Lets just assume for a minute this will be delayed till fall,which it wont be. That would make for an extremely crowded fall lineup. Cyberpunk,ghost,last of us 2,avengers.
I hope it’s on track. I really want this.
@Nyne11Tyme It’s rated M. I was on the official Playstation game page and itched it said M for intense violence, blood & gore, and partial nudity a week or two ago.
@Jaz007 did you read the article? Unless they are incorrectly reporting how they correlate ratings. It says equivalent of Teen rating
Trust me i hope you are right!
@Nyne11Tyme I did but different ratings systems don't always rate games the same (for better or worse depending on the case). It woudn't bother me if the game was T, but here's the proof. Look at the bottom of the page.
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/ghost-of-tsushima-ps4/
@Jaz007 nice! I just feel like it removes the realism of that style and period. Samurai and ninjas slicin and dicing with limited blood just seems off
Unlike some, I already have GoT... All 8 seasons too.
Wasn't Last Of Us 2 also rated weeks before it was delayed? Nonetheless i hope it is on track otherwise it's gonna be dry Summer
@Ken_Kaniff That will mess up their whole plans, the PS5 is rumoured to have 2 big exclusive at Launch, sticking Last of us 2 in there not only impacts sales of it on PS4 but most importantly it would distract attention from the actual PS5 selling points.
Also Last of us 2 will likley work as a backward compatible title with minor visual improvements VIA a patch.
My guess is they can't delay these games past the PS5 launch, So they would both need to be out by September, i wouldn't be suprised if Last Of Us 2 shared the same month as CyberPunk
My guess though is Late August.
@Thunderlips69 Really good point man. I think your right. There gonna have that Destiny ripoff Godfall, and whatever Bluepoint is working on so that does make sense.
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