Why was Tomb Raider rated a 15+?

[Lucy_Croft]

I don't really see why TR1 and maybe TR2 and 3 (can't remember) are rated 15+ and the rest of the games in the series are all 12+.
Was there a particular reason why? Were TR1, 2 and 3 scarier than the others? Coz I think Angel of Darkness is a lot darker than them. Were the mutants in 1 and 3 too scary for 12 year olds? Was the dragon, and the Yetis, too fearsome for anyone under 15?
I was playing these games when I was under 10 years old, and hey, they didn't scare me... Well, they did, but not in a scarred-for-life kind of sense.
I was just interested in why the ratings were so high in the first three games.
Why?

[JasonDavies15]

Well I personally don't think TR1 should be for 15+ more like 12+. I think it might be the Atlantis levels. I found them scary when I was like 12 -13 lol. I mean with all those bloody textures and skinless aliens etc...

[Lucy_Croft]

Well I personally don't think TR1 should be for 15+ more like 12+. I think it might be the Atlantis levels. I found them scary when I was like 12 -13 lol. I mean with all those bloody textures and skinless aliens etc...
Yeah, I guess that's true, that was pretty freaky. Those mutants and the mummies were definitely, hands down, the scariest creatures I have seen in any Tomb Raider game.
Mutants just give me the heebie jeebies - but I LOVE it!!

[JasonDavies15]

Yeah, I guess that's true, that was pretty freaky. Those mutants and the mummies were definitely, hands down, the scariest creatures I have seen in any Tomb Raider game.
Mutants just give me the heebie jeebies - but I LOVE it!!

Yes I agree, TR1 would never be the same without those disturbing pulsing environments and mutants. Those levels, I have to say, still scare me. I can't play them alone in the dark! :D

[Lucy_Croft]

Egad, me neither. The pulsating walls were just so... so... icky. But it was my favourite level! It was so cool!

[ian2006]

maybe killing animals would be scary for kids

[James Burgon]

I'm guessing it's the whole violence/atlantis thing. Companies were stricter on violence in videogames back then I think, and doesn't Natla say something naughty one time? I can distinctly remember her voice saying something non PC. Though, It's definitely the creatures in the Atlantis levels, I remember playing it and being scared by them :(.

[Lucy_Croft]

Ah, I see, yes, I thought it might be something to do with restrictions back then in the olden days of '96 instead of its real content...

[LordCroft]

I bought TR1,2&3 for PC published by "Sold Out Software". All 3 have a rating of 11+ now.

[EK-MDi]

Yes I agree, TR1 would never be the same without those disturbing pulsing environments and mutants. Those levels, I have to say, still scare me. I can't play them alone in the dark! :DImagine how Lara felt? She was actually there for herself. LOL, only joking.

[Lucy_Croft]

lmao, poor old Lara. Yet she's not there by herself - she has us!

[Joe_16]

Definately because they were more strict back then, especially considering it was one of the first big 3D adventures. I mean, wouldn't be half as scary in 2D would it lol.

[stereopathic]

the biggest reason why TR is a higher age rating is just because of the political environment at the time. in 1996, the world was still freaked out over violence and especially blood in their children's video games. so the more mature rating has little to do with game content, but rather the media making a big deal over a little blood at the time.

[Elysia]

the biggest reason why TR is a higher age rating is just because of the political environment at the time. in 1996, the world was still freaked out over violence and especially blood in their children's video games. so the more mature rating has little to do with game content, but rather the media making a big deal over a little blood at the time.
Stereopathic has the right of it. Remember, this was a time before the (3d) GTA games. I rememeber the whole 'Lara Croft is an evil temptress who is going to steal your soul' (Or, if you're an English footballer, make you miss goals... ;) ) malarky. Until the rest of the world fell in love with her, of course!

[T-Raider]

maybe people under 15 might think its based on a true story lmao !