Resident Evil Director Slams Game Censorship

With the October release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered looming, criticism of Japan's CERO age rating board intensifies. The game's creators are openly voicing their frustration over the remaster's censorship in Japan.

Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Condemn Shadows of the Damned's Censorship

CERO Faces Backlash Again

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's writer and producer duo, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, have publicly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for the censorship imposed on 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 remaster required two versions—a censored one for Japan. "Creating two versions presented a significant challenge," he stated, "dramatically increasing our workload and extending development."

Shinji Mikami, renowned for his work on mature titles like Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment, arguing CERO is disconnected from modern gamers. "It's strange for non-gamers to censor games and prevent players from experiencing the full intended experience, especially when there's an audience eager for such 'edgy' content," he commented.

CERO's rating system includes CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+). Mikami's original Resident Evil, a genre-defining horror title, featured graphic content. Its 2015 remake retained this signature gore, earning a CERO Z rating.

Suda51 questioned the censorship's purpose: "Dealing with regional restrictions is part of our job, but I always wonder what the players think. What is the goal of these restrictions? Who are they for? They certainly don't seem aimed at the players themselves."

This isn't CERO's first encounter with criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies, citing the approval of Stellar Blade (CERO D) while rejecting Dead Space.