As we already know... Phantasy Star Online 2 has several automated classification ratings around the world despite being an NA only release. Than of course, the Roadmap announcement confirmed that the game would be releasing outside of North America sometime in 2020 but with no specific date.

We still don't have as to when that might happen, though I do have some news on that... the Australian Classification Board page for Phantasy Star Online 2 had been updated as of the 30th of June: https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/phantasy-star-online-2-0

As can be seen the game's rating (or at least this specific application) is no longer handled by the IARC and the game now contains a more detailed list of the game's content.

In addition, the game now has an entry on PEGI's website:

Release date on PEGI site, 17/07/2020, released 3 days ago, ha.

Strong language though, based on what? Elder calling Luther a loser that one time? Weird it got 16, must be the "encouragement of gambling" thing.

Afin during the tutorial cutscene "Holy Shit! Was that a Photon Blast?" as well as other instances of "Damn" and "Hell" as usual.

Also that date may simply be the date the rating was released as opposed to the date the game released.

The full description reads as follows

"This game has received a PEGI 16 because it features sustained depictions of violence towards human characters, use of strong language, and encouragement of gambling. Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age."

Wow, you're right, watched intro mission on youtube and Affin does drop a couple mild swear words, I guess I find him so annoying I've totally memory-holed all of his dialogue xD

I would have given PSO2 a PEGI-12. It does have a bit of everything, a casino, couple people get stabbed by sword, a couple minor innuendos in ep4, but it' all such minor moments compared to overall content, I wouldn't hammer it with a 16 but what do I know ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I dunno... i'm not sure what SEGA showed to PEGI for the rating (all the content from Episode 1 to the end of Episode 6 which JP doesn't have yet are in the game's files) but there are several content which would make them raise an eyebrow:

Not to mention how they scrutinize anything to do with gambling so a higher rating was most likely going to happen either way... this is a better outcome than those who jumped to the conclusion that the game would simply never have a release cause of 'gambling'. : P