(Image credit: Konami)
We’ve caught just a glimpse of Silent Hill f, yet it already promises to be one of the most terrifying entries in the series. It’s notably the first game in the franchise to receive an 18+ rating in Japan. The ESRB description chillingly details scenes of ‘faces ripped apart,’ ‘a character burned alive inside a cage,’ and ‘entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters.’ Such is the intensity of the game that Konami felt compelled to add a disclaimer on its store page: ‘If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break from playing or speak to someone you trust.’
In a new development reinforcing the game’s spine-chilling nature, the Australian government has issued a ‘Refused Classification’ (RC) rating for Silent Hill f. This signifies that barring content alterations, the game won’t see an Australian release. Unusually, the official site does not clarify the reasoning behind this decision, simply inviting queries for more information. Eager for clarity, GamesRadar+ has reached out to the ratings board and awaits their reply.
With disturbing elements listed in the Steam Page descriptions, including ‘gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture, and graphic violence,’ these themes likely influenced Australia’s decision. The only prior ban of a Silent Hill game in Australia occurred with 2008’s Silent Hill: Homecoming, which later released in a censored version in the subsequent year.
Video game censorship is alarmingly common in Australia; a recent example includes the banning of Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact, anticipated for release later this year.
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