Video Game Censorship Is a Spoiler

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's October release has reignited criticism of Japan's CERO age rating system. The game's creators have openly voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the Japanese console version.

Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Condemn Censorship in Shadows of the Damned

CERO Faces Renewed Backlash

Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the creative minds behind Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, have publicly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for the censorship applied to the game's Japanese console release. In an interview with GameSpark, they questioned the rationale behind the restrictions.

Suda51, renowned for titles like Killer7 and No More Heroes, confirmed the necessity of creating two versions of the game—a censored version for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions. He highlighted the significant increase in workload and development time this entailed.

Mikami, celebrated for his work on Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment with CERO's approach, suggesting a disconnect between the board and modern gamers. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the full game, especially those seeking mature titles, is counterintuitive.

CERO's rating system includes CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+), yet Mikami's own Resident Evil, with its graphic horror, received a Z rating. This highlights the perceived inconsistency in CERO's judgments.

Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of these restrictions, emphasizing the lack of consideration for player preferences. He questioned the purpose of these limitations, wondering if they truly benefit the players themselves.

This isn't the first instance of CERO facing criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies, citing the approval of Stellar Blade with a CERO D rating while Dead Space was rejected. This ongoing debate underscores the need for a more transparent and consistent rating system in Japan.