The first thing that dispels most of the prejudice is the game's prologue, which is bombastic and well-directed. The game throws you into the role of Koen, the eldest son of a peasant family in Vale Sangora. This is a classic "Slavic" backdrop characteristic of the 14th century.

The game contains themes of loss, revenge, demonic transformation, and moral ambiguity that are too intense for younger audiences. There is no graphic gore or sexual content, but the narrative darkness, including the murder of a child as a story catalyst, and the overall tone make it best suited for older teens. The combat is adjustable down to near-zero difficulty, so gameplay is not the barrier; the story weight is.

Here comes October, and the spooky season is ringing at full volume. Even here, this month has gained a modern connotation that has long carried a specific dose of popularity and stereotypes worldwide.