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

Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Condemn Censorship in Shadows of the Damned

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered’s writer and producer, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, respectively, 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, known for Killer7 and the No More Heroes series, confirmed the need to create two versions of the game – a censored version for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions. This, he stated, significantly increased the development workload and extended the development timeline.

Mikami, renowned for his work on mature titles like Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed his belief that CERO is out of sync with modern gamers. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the complete game, especially those who actively seek out mature content, is illogical.

CERO's rating system uses classifications like CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+). Mikami's original Resident Evil, a groundbreaking horror title, featured graphic content and its 2015 remake, similarly gruesome, received a CERO Z rating. This highlights the inconsistency in CERO's application of its own standards.

Suda51 questioned the purpose and target audience of these restrictions, suggesting they don't reflect the preferences of the gaming community.

This isn't the first time CERO's practices have been challenged. Earlier this year, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi criticized inconsistencies in CERO's ratings, citing the approval of Stellar Blade (CERO D) while rejecting Dead Space. The ongoing debate underscores the need for a more transparent and consistent age rating system in Japan.