(Image credit: Konami)
Despite having limited footage, Silent Hill f is shaping up to be one of the most terrifying entries in the series. In fact, it’s the first to receive an 18+ rating in Japan. The ESRB describes unsettling scenes such as “faces ripped apart,” “a character burned alive inside a cage,” and “entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters.” This level of horror even prompted Konami to issue a disclaimer on their official store page, advising players to “take a break or seek support” if they feel distressed.
The latest chilling development is the Australian government’s decision to assign a ‘RC’ rating, indicating ‘Refused Classification.’ This effectively bars the game from being released in the country unless its content is modified. The usual protocol involves providing a reason for such a rating, but currently, the only guidance is, “For further information regarding the reason for this decision, please contact us.”GamesRadar+ has reached out to the board seeking clarification.
Given the ESRB’s description and the game’s Steam page listing themes like “gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture, and graphic violence,” it’s plausible that one or multiple aspects triggered the Australian ban. Previously, the only Silent Hill to be banned was 2008’s Silent Hill: Homecoming, which was eventually released in a censored version.
Video game bans are alarmingly common in Australia; the latest casualty is the anticipated fighter Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact, halted just before its upcoming release. Stay tuned for further updates and insights from our gaming communities.