SAUCE for the goose may not be sauce for the gander - as far as video games ratings go. Halo 3 is rated Mature 17 (M17) in the United States, but not considered objectionable enough to be rated at all here. Strange.

The rating for Mass Effect is even stranger. This is the game, you will recall, which caused a stir when the Media Development Authority (MDA) initially banned for a lesbian sex scene involving a female human and female alien, then unbanned it with an M18 sticker days later.

It is rated M17 in the US, MA15+ in Australia but 12+ in Britain.

The message from the variances in rating seems to be that while there are universal standards on what's objectionable content for the young, there is no one-size-fits-all yardstick as to how much sex and nudity, blood and violence, foul language and drug abuse is appropriate for different age groups across the world.

Singapore's new video games classification system kicks in only next Monday, but the MDA has begun an interim rating system which works similarly since last November. Games are either rated Mature 18 (M18) or Age Advisory, which means that they are meant for those 16 and older. If MDA finds nothing objectionable, the games are simply unrated. Digital Life looks at seven titles which have made it here since the interim rating system began and how other jurisdictions have rated them.

1. Conan

Rating: Singapore (M18); US (M17); Europe (18+); Australia (MA15+)

What it's about: You play Conan, who must travel to a lost isle to confront an evil sorcerer who steals the souls of mortals. Along the way, there are plenty of nasties to hack and slash.

Why it's objectionable: Conan doesn't just kill his enemies - he decapitates, dismembers and even disembowels them with his bare hands. There are also plenty of slave girls to rescue, all tied up in chains and topless. These buxomy damsels in distress will thank the savage Cimmerian with corny quotes ranging from "Oh Conan, crush me with your love" to "I didn't expect you to be so big".

What Digital Life (DL) says: Clearly one of the most graphically violent titles ever. There's blood everywhere and organs on the floor. Definitely deserves the highest rating internationally. M18 is spot on. (note: We used the common European PEGI rating because this game did not turn up on the database of Britain.)

2. Mass Effect

Rating: Singapore (M18); US (M17); Britain (12+); Australia (MA15+)

What it's about: A sci-fi adventure in which you, the hero, fight baddies with guns and modern magic and make friends with different races while visiting planets and galaxies to search for clues behind the rise of an ancient evil. Think Babylon 5 and Stargate Atlantis.

Why it's objectionable: There's a scene in which you engage in some horizontal action with a female alien. No private parts are shown, but the moves are suggestive enough to tell you the duo are way beyond heavy petting. Since you can choose to be a male or female hero, selecting the latter results in a lesbian scene. The "f" word is not used, but there are occasional utterances of "bitch" and "bastard".

What DL says: The violence level is between low and moderate. But essentially the game sells because of its amazing storyline and great space explorations, not because of violence. Without the sex scene, I would have rated it 12 (on par with Britain), but with that one scene, I would say go for 15 and older; M18 is too strict.

3. Dark Sector

Rating: Singapore (Age Advisory); US (M17); Britain (18+); Australia (banned)

What it's about: A third-person shooter in which you are a special forces guy who gets infected with a virus that gives you super strength. You also get an amazing arsenal - a three-bladed, boomerang-like giant star called a glaive which beats any other gun in the game.

Why it's objectionable: One of the most violent games I have ever played. The glaive is designed for dismemberment and decapitation, so when you aim at the enemy's leg and it gets chopped off, you see this in full gory, with blood spurting out and the baddie screaming and writhing in pain until he dies. Other moves include neck breaks, decapitation and torsos slashed in half. When you get an ability called "aftertouch", you can even manipulate your glaive in slow motion and direct it to dismember multiple enemies with one throw.

What DL says: It's much worse than Conan. As far as gamers go, this game has one big thing going for it - it trumps extreme gore and dismemberment is glorified as an art form. Kill Bill looks tame by comparison. It should have been slapped with the highest rating everywhere. The MDA's Age Advisory rating is odd; it should be M18.

4. Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic Elements

Rating: Singapore (Age Advisory); US (M17 ); Britain (15+); Australia (MA15+)

What it's about: A first-person hack-and-slash, this allows you to use weapons and
magic to kill bad humans, orcs, zombies, dragons and more.

Why it's objectionable: There are a myriad of killing ways - kick the enemy off a cliff, push him into spikes, slash him with your sword, or burn him with magic fire. All these methods draw lots of blood, but the one method that truly ups the gross factor is when you get the guywhen he's down - knock him to the floor and impale him with a weapon of choice. Got a blade in your hand? Stab it through his guts. A staff? Bash his head. Decapitation, with the head flying off, spewing blood, is also permissible.

What DL thinks: Not as bad as Dark Sector, but definitely gory enough for an M18.

5. Halo 3

Rating: Singapore (unrated); US (M17 ); Britain (15+); Australia (M )

What it's about: Hit sci-fi first-person shooter and the last title in the trilogy. Expect
constant battles between man and aliens.

Why it's objectionable: After shots are fired, there is an outpouring of blood, staining the ground. Gamers will find this a thrill - wielding a huge blade and slicing your opponents with it. But wait, the blood isn't red and the blade looks something out of a B-grade sci-fi movie.

What DL says: Definitely not for kids because violence abounds, but there are no dismemberments. I would say it's fine for anyone 13 and older.

6. Army Of Two

Rating: Singapore (unrated); US (M17); Britain (18+); Australia (MA15+)

What it's about: Typical first-person-shooter with a twist - you fight alongside another mercenary, hence, the title Army Of Two.

Why it's objectionable: Wars are won not by strength or fire-power but by the sheer volume of f-bombs dropped by soldiers. From the moment you start your training mission, soldiers around you start chucking f-bombs repeatedly, often throwing mothers (yes, mothers) in as prefixes as well. Snipe an enemy or toss a grenade and your partner will most likely pepper his congratulatory kudos to you with a string of expletives. The violence is standard first-person-shooter level (read, moderate) with some blood.

What DL says: The main problem is the language - a lot more foul than the blood and violence. This game is proof that words, though not fatal, are deadly. Those younger than 16 should be kept away.

7. Rainbow Six Vegas 2

Rating: Singapore (unrated); US (M17); Britain (16+); Australia (MA15+)

What it's about: You are the leader of a disciplined, elite counter-terrorist squad sent
to subdue terrorists by means of directly firing at them or using grenades. Why it's objectionable: When a terrorist is shot, overly copious amounts of blood gush out from his body. The continuous flow is as if to serve as a visual confirmation that the target has been hit. Strangely, the bounteous flows dissipate into thin air almost instantly, leaving only residual but realistic traces behind on the corpse or nearby surfaces.

What DL says: It's a little better than Army Of Two, but still needs a rating of 16 or higher.

Additional game testing and reporting by Sherwin Loh and Sim Cheng Kai

This story was first published in The Straits Time Digital Life on 22 April 2008.