Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered faces censorship in Japan, sparking outrage from creators Suda51 and Shinji Mikami. The pair criticized Japan's CERO rating board in a GameSpark interview, highlighting the challenges of creating two versions of the game – one censored, one uncensored – for the Japanese market.
Suda51, known for Killer7 and No More Heroes, described the dual development process as significantly impacting workload and extending development time. Mikami, renowned for Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, argued that CERO's decisions are out of sync with modern gamers' preferences, hindering players' ability to experience games in their entirety.
CERO's rating system, including CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+), is questioned by Suda51, who wonders about the intended audience and purpose of these restrictions. He suggests the restrictions don't benefit the players themselves. This isn't the first instance of CERO facing criticism; EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi previously highlighted inconsistencies in the board's ratings, citing the contrasting treatment of Stellar Blade and Dead Space.
The controversy underscores the ongoing debate surrounding game censorship and its impact on creative expression and player experience in Japan. The original Resident Evil, a game Mikami himself directed, set a precedent for mature horror content, a legacy seemingly at odds with some of CERO's current practices.
