The game Assasins Creed is an extremely well reasearched, beautiful game. You play as an assasin in the 1200s during the time of the 3rd crusade. Your targets are real historical figures that disappeared around that time. Contrary to the rating this web site has given it, Assasins Creed isn't as bad as some would label it. The violent content is not over the top or grusome but instead intelligent and refined compared to many other violent games out there. The blood ( although it is there) is actually a low rendered red mist that could be compared to the blood seen in games for the N64. (this could be seen in any game at your local arcade)As you kill your opponents, your character begins to quetion whether or not he is doing the right thing for the medival society. The irony suggested by this can be compared to many politcal situations that are happening today and lead gamers to ponder it themselves. Overall Assasins Creed was braded with a mature rating because of the level of sophistication required to fully understand the underlying themes. Similar to some R rated movies. This is definatly not the type of M game that can be compared to Grand Theft Auto or other controvertial games. Unfourtunatly, the ESRB has no way to distinguish this when they label a game M. The content in the way of blood, and language is not anything that a teenager hasn't seen/heard before. So if your teen wants to play this game, don't be scared by the M rating. Perhaps ask him/her to explain why they are killing the figures in the game or allow them to make a case for the game. Overall its not up to the content in the game being age appropriate, but instead the players not being able to comprehend the irony of it all.