Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's October release has reignited the debate surrounding Japan's CERO age rating system. The game's creators have voiced strong disapproval of the censorship imposed on the Japanese console version.
Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Condemn Censorship of Shadows of the Damned
CERO Faces Backlash Again
Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the creative minds behind Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, have publicly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for the game's censorship. In an interview with GameSpark, they openly questioned the rationale behind the restrictions.
Suda51, renowned for titles like Killer7 and No More Heroes, confirmed the remaster required two separate versions—one for Japan, subject to censorship, and one uncensored. He highlighted the significant increase in development time and workload this created.
Shinji Mikami, celebrated for his work on Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment, suggesting CERO is out of sync with modern gamers. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the complete game, especially those who actively seek mature titles, is counterproductive.
CERO's rating system, including CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+), has been the subject of ongoing controversy. Mikami's original Resident Evil, a groundbreaking horror title, featured graphic content and its 2015 remake received a CERO Z rating.
Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of the restrictions, emphasizing the lack of consideration for the players' desires. He stated the need to comply with regional regulations but questioned their purpose and impact on the gaming community.
This isn't the first instance of CERO's rating practices drawing criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies, citing the approval of Stellar Blade (CERO D) while rejecting Dead Space. This further underscores the ongoing concerns surrounding CERO's decision-making process.
