Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered Faces Censorship in Japan, Sparking Outrage from Creators

The upcoming release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered has reignited the debate surrounding Japan's CERO age rating board. Creators Suda51 and Shinji Mikami have publicly voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the game's Japanese console release.

CERO Under Fire Again

In an interview with GameSpark, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami criticized CERO's restrictions, questioning the rationale behind them. Suda51, known for Killer7 and No More Heroes, revealed the remaster required two separate versions – a censored one for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions. This, he stated, significantly increased development time and workload.

Mikami, renowned for his work on Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed his disappointment, arguing CERO is detached from the modern gaming landscape. He questioned the logic of non-gamers censoring games, preventing players from experiencing the intended content, especially those who actively seek out mature titles.

The CERO rating system, with its D (17+) and Z (18+) categories, has faced similar criticism before. Mikami's own Resident Evil remake, with its graphic horror elements, received a CERO Z rating, highlighting the board's inconsistencies.

Suda51 echoed these concerns, questioning the target audience of these restrictions and their overall purpose. He emphasized the disconnect between CERO's decisions and the desires of the players themselves.

This isn't the first time CERO's practices have drawn criticism. Earlier this year, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies, citing the approval of Stellar Blade with a CERO D rating while rejecting Dead Space. The ongoing controversy underscores the need for a more transparent and player-centric approach to game ratings in Japan.