Japanese Players Protest “Immersion-Breaking” Censorship in Resident Evil
▼ Summary
– Japanese players of Resident Evil Requiem are complaining about overt censorship, with black boxes obscuring the game’s goriest scenes.
– This censorship is implemented despite the game having a CERO Z (18+) rating in Japan, which is the highest age classification.
– The censorship is more noticeable and immersion-breaking in this title due to its more graphic gore in both cinematics and gameplay.
– Players note that Capcom could release an uncensored PC version in Japan, as the CERO rating system does not apply to PC games, but has chosen not to.
– Some players have requested refunds due to what they see as heavy and unnecessary visual censorship.
Players of the Japanese release of Resident Evil Requiem are voicing significant frustration over what they describe as intrusive censorship that disrupts the game’s horror experience. Unlike versions available in most other regions, the Japanese release features prominent black boxes that obscure the game’s most graphic scenes of gore and violence. This visual alteration, mandated to comply with local ratings board guidelines, has sparked a backlash from players who feel it severely undermines the title’s intended atmosphere and immersion.
The issue centers on the application of the CERO rating system. One player elaborated on the evolution of Capcom’s approach, noting that earlier titles employed more basic censorship methods. The current technique, however, involves replacing detailed internal gore with a simple black shader effect during dismemberment and other violent acts. In Requiem, due to its heightened graphical fidelity and more frequent violent sequences, this censorship becomes far more conspicuous and jarring during both gameplay and cinematic moments.
A particular point of contention is the platform-specific application of these rules. The CERO rating system does not legally apply to PC games in Japan, similar to how the ESRB functions in the United States. This has led to confusion and disappointment, as Capcom has chosen to implement the same censored assets from the console versions into the Japanese PC release. Players argue the company could have provided an uncensored experience on PC while still adhering to console regulations, a practice followed with releases in other markets.
This decision persists despite pre-launch comments from game director Koshi Nakanishi, who suggested the CERO Z-rated (18+) Japanese version would be “quite comparable” to the global release, though not completely identical. For many players, the reality of the pervasive black censorship has not lived up to that expectation. The visual effect has been criticized as heavy-handed and aesthetically unpleasing, with some community members reporting they have sought refunds over the matter. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge developers face in balancing regional content standards with delivering a consistent artistic vision to their audience.
(Source: Games Industry)
