Resident Evil 7 plot, combat details outed by ESRB (update)

Several plot and combat details from Resident Evil 7 biohazard were revealed by the ESRB earlier today, in a listing that has since been removed from the ratings board’s website. Among the information includes first confirmation of the game’s protagonist, as well as hints of just how much violence players can expect from the M-rated survival horror game.

The listing, whose details are preserved on sites like Gematsu and Wario64’s Twitter feed, states that a man named Ethan is the star of Resident Evil 7, in which he explores a "derelict mansion" in search of his wife. That name will sound familiar to viewers of the game’s latest trailer, where a woman is heard calling out to him.

Ethan will be equipped with "pistols, shotguns, flamethrowers, explosives and chainsaws to kill mutant creatures," the ESRB adds. These contribute to what sounds like one of the goriest Resident Evil games ever: Chainsaws can be seen hacking off limbs and dismembered bodies are strewn around various areas. (A shovel is also put to good use, the ESRB notes, with a character’s face being impaled by one.)

We've reached out to the ESRB to confirm why the rating for Resident Evil 7 has disappeared from the website and will update accordingly. Its disappearance is in keeping with the rest of the game's marketing thus far, however: Resident Evil 7 has been mysterious since it was announced at E3. Its first teaser, released that same day and set before the full game’s events, is full of secrets that players set out to uncover immediately after launch.

All will be revealed Jan. 24, 2017, when the game hits PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One.

Update: The ESRB confirmed that its original listing was accurate in a statement provided to Polygon.

"ESRB has removed Resident Evil 7 rating information from the ESRB website," it reads. "The rating is accurate and was posted as part of our regular process for announcing ratings after they have been assigned. Capcom requested the rating information be removed, and we're working with them to determine a new posting date."