Going through the screenshots I noticed something

[Gao Li]

Not just here, but also in Risky's Revenge as well as comments on videos on YouTube I noticed many Americans asking how the game is Rated E despite showing bikinis.

Probably because children see both bikinis and women's underwear

• at the beach
  
• advertised in clothing stores
  
• shopping catalogs
  
• in actual clothing stores
  
• Maybe they even see one of their parents wear those, especially when the children are still young
  
• In the laundry bin at home
  
• If it's a girl playing, then she's likely to see bikinis as well as bras and panties everyday.

As for more mature humor, you'll find that in all kinds of children shows. And even LEGO has a princess Leia in a bikini.

[WarPigeon]

Although the commenters only mention seeing bikinis, I think what they are picking up on is the fact that all the poses/character designs/etc. are very "fan service-y". Of course you are right that children see bikinis and underwear in all the situations above, but you have to admit that the images in Shantae are certainly more sexually charged than most of the half-naked people you would see at the beach or in a catalogue.

I'm not saying that the game should have a higher rating, but I can certainly understand why some people wouldn't want to let their kids play it.

[Gao Li]

Originally posted by WarPigeon:

[...]

I see what you mean and agree. We're looking at it from a post-puberty perspective though. I could do without the fan service as well, but that's me looking at it. Ratings are usually done by psychologists, developmental psychologists, and child psychologists. To most children those are just funny looking cartoon figures.

[Lightly Used 1993 Suzuki Jimny]

Yeah, literately you can see bikinis and whatnot IRL, children can too (hence your argument about the rating).

However, I mean, come on - it's an "anime" inspired artstyle from Japan, just like the humor and such. I don't want to sound racist or anything, but as stereotypes go, this game seems to be 100% in the norm.

You can look at the screenshots on the Store page - two of which feature girls, Shantae and Risky Boots (I think?) - and already there everything is clear about the intention of the artstyle...

Whats more, just look at the Screenshots section here in the Community Hub. I need to scroll quite a bit down to reach a screenshot that does *not* feature a half-naked girl with a sexual element present...

Many times people that defend these practices and tropes are like "so what, it's not sexual" or whatnot, which is, IMO, ludicrous. Even if the artstyle itself is kinda, hm, how can I describe it... "Non-realistic" with everyone having these "small bodies" & unrealistic cartoon figures, it's obvious that everything is drawn/designed/presented *with sexual intentions*/that everything is sexually charged.

So yeah, blatant fan-service, not a fan of it.

Personally I like the sexiness in on itself, but I don't need that in my games...

[Xodan Rot]

Originally posted by Zankman:

Many times people that defend these practices and tropes are like "so what, it's not sexual" or whatnot, which is, IMO, ludicrous. Even if the artstyle itself is kinda, hm, how can I describe it... "Non-realistic" with everyone having these "small bodies" & unrealistic cartoon figures, it's obvious that everything is drawn/designed/presented *with sexual intentions*/that everything is sexually charged.

But we people outside of the USA don't care about that a lot. For us some nudity and swearing is ok, but violence is considered worse. In the USA violence seems to be no problem at all.

• PEGI (Europe): 12 (Violence, Sex)
• USK (Germany): 6
• COB/OFLC (Australia/NZ): G (Very Mild Violence)
• RAR (Russia): 6

Even the PEGI rating states "sex", but it's 12+. And wow... 6+ in Germany, but Mortal Kombat X is banned here because of the violence. ;)

[Foxador]

The US is all about violence but don't you dare try to pop a tit or you'll get pistol whipped

[Lightly Used 1993 Suzuki Jimny]

The issue at hand is that the game is not sexual in terms of theme, topic, subject or, in fact, gameplay. It's tacked-on for the sake of fanservice. IMO, the reasoning and intent is pretty clear.

[Mr. Wonderful]

Zankman, sexy character designs have been a part of this series since the very beginning. It's not "tacked-on fanservice". It predates the existence of a fanbase. The characters look the way they do because the developers are awesome and designed them like that. Of their own volition. No pandering involved.

Because that's what they like.

I do, too.

You don't.

That's okay.

But it's not Shantae. It's you.

There are thousands of games on Steam. Go play another one.

[Lightly Used 1993 Suzuki Jimny]

So they built it up to be pandering and tasteless fanservice from the ground up?

That's a bit better, I guess.

[Gao Li]

Originally posted by Zankman:

[...]

You can ask Erin Bell why she made Shantae look like that.

[DAVOS CENSORSHIP 2030 FTW!!!]

I don't know what is wrong with sexy, cute lovable characters. You people have issues. Either that or some of you are part of the feminazi agenda. No one is forcing you to buy this. Go back to Tumbrl or Kotaku.

[Red]

Originally posted by Zankman:

So they built it up to be pandering and tasteless fanservice from the ground up?

That's a bit better, I guess.

Originally posted by Zankman:

The issue at hand is that the game is not sexual in terms of theme, topic, subject or, in fact, gameplay. It's tacked-on for the sake of fanservice. IMO, the reasoning and intent is pretty clear.

You know what's funny about this? Kids, the ones that are like 13 or even younger like 8 don't give a ♥♥♥♥ about the fanservice and don't think about the characters in a sexual way unlike adults.

It's clear that there's fanservice in the game, but that doesn't mean is not partially your fault for finding the characters sexy. We are the ones giving the characters a sexual meaning. We do it all the time with fetishes like how some people think uniforms are sexy even thought they're really not. In the same way, the characters just do cute things and might flirt a bit once in a while (You know, like how young people joke around in real life too!). Most of the fanservice is even used purely for comedic purposes to begin with. If you're the one pushing aside the comedy and only keeping the sex part of the scene then that's just your fault and no one can do a thing about it.

Just like that, young people don't know much about sex or feel attracted towards cartoons so they just don't feel a thing about the fanservice in this game at all. For them, they're just cute characters and nothing more. That makes me think that MAYBE you're the issue and not the characters themselves.

[Lightly Used 1993 Suzuki Jimny]

Originally posted by kainevil:

I don't know what is wrong with sexy, cute lovable characters. You people have issues. Either that or some of you are part of the feminazi agenda. No one is forcing you to buy this. Go back to Tumbrl or Kotaku.

Way to generalize people who oppose your PoV, boyo.

Originally posted by "Red":

...

Or, you know, it's the artists giving the characters a sexual meaning?

Yeah, it's probably that.

Kids not noticing that is most likely the case, yes, that I agree with.

[Quagimus Decimus]

I can't get past the $20 price tag for a so-so platformer...

[☠Stumperman☠]

20 dollars is cheap. Better than a 60 dollar triple a title that's barely worth 5 dollars packed with 50 dollars of DLC. And to be on topic with the discussion. The game is rated 10+ if you never seen a girl in a bikini in your life at the age of 10 you have been living under a rock. There's nothing wrong with the themes, doubt it people at the age 10 to 15 is going to play Shantae. Most likely playing those 60 dollar games like call of duty

[Mr. Wonderful]

Originally posted by Zankman:

tasteless

The word you're looking for is delicious.