The game attained its 16 rating based on small part of the game. This was where cinematic sequences in between missions, depicted realistic looking killing of human characters including characters killed with swords and guns. In these instances the characters were killed in a way that looked representative of real life however there are no physical injuries or gore.
The majority of the violence in the game is at the 12 level as during gameplay the action is much more exaggerated with over the top reactions to being attacked with enemies flying high into the air. Also enemies disappear as they hit the ground when killed removing more of the realism.