Summary
- Silent Hill f has been Refused Classification in Australia, effectively banning the game before it was even released.
- In order for the game to release, it’ll need to submit an appeal or heavily modify its content to be within line.
- It’s not the first game to be banned in Australia, nor is it the first Silent Hill title to face extra scrutiny.
Well, that didn’t take long.
Silent Hill f, which was recently re-revealed and still does not have a release date, has been refused classification in Australia by the country’s government. The move effectively bans the upcoming horror game unless changes to the game’s content are made.
While the reason why the game was given an “RC” or Refused Classification rating isn’t known, it’s not too hard to surmise why that may be the case. Following its re-reveal, Konami shared a rather lengthy warning on the game’s page, revealing themes of gender discrimination, child abuse and torture.
The content warning, which is visible on the game’s main page, urges players to take breaks or speak with a trusted person if they feel uncomfortable while playing. Elsewhere, the game’s ESRB rating shared further details about the nature of its content, including instances in which “a character is burned alive inside a cage” and faces are ripped apart.
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It’s Not The First Silent Hill Game To Need Changes In Australia
As GamesRadar noted in its report, in 2008, the Australian government came down hard on several games, including Silent Hill: Homecoming, Dark Sector, F.E.A.R. 2 and even Fallout 3. All the titles were refused the maximum rating, according to a GameSpot report, meaning they either had to cut content or submit an appeal in order to be reconsidered.
In the case of Silent Hill: Homecoming, the game was “Revised.” At the time, TechCrunch noted that the ratings board took aim with the severing of body parts and drilling into flesh. With that in mind, it’s easy to see where the board would take issue with f.
It’s Also Not The First Game Banned In The Last Year
Oddly enough, Silent Hill f isn’t the only game to be banned in Australia. That’s because, for whatever reason, the upcoming Hunter x Hunter game was also refused classification. As of this writing, the game has still not received a revised rating. That part feels oddly important, especially considering it’s been given a July release.
Ultimately, precedent would suggest that both Silent Hill and Hunter x Hunter will eventually be able to be released in Australia. Still, it does make you wonder just how horrific the upcoming Silent Hill title is.
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