Summary
- Australia has retracted its “Refused Classification” ruling for Silent Hill f, pending a review.
- Silent Hill f has received the highest-possible classification in North America and Japan.
- Konami’s website features a trigger warning for players who intend to play Silent Hill f.
Australia has seemingly retracted its “Refused Classification” ruling for Silent Hill f. If Konami was unable to secure classification from the Australia Classification Board, then Silent Hill f would be banned from being sold in Australia as it’s deemed not appropriate for any ages.
Although the game was initially refused classification, an inquiry from Automaton regarding the ruling has resulted in a response from the board – who say the ruling has been retracted. It’s unknown if Konami agreed to modify certain content, or if the ruling was erroneous. According to the Australia Classification Board, Silent Hill f is under review once more.
Silent Hill f Is Under Re-Review
In other territories, Silent Hill f has received the maximum possible classification. Silent Hill f has been rated ‘M’ for ‘Mature’ by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Meanwhile, Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation (CERO) has rated Silent Hill f “Z”, which indicates the game is only appropriate for players who are at least 18 years old. Silent Hill f is the only entry in the series to receive a Z rating.
This isn’t the first time Australia has taken issue with Silent Hill. In 2008, Silent Hill Homecoming was banned in Australia, partially due to the game’s depiction of corpse dismemberment, with a censored version released a year later (thanks, GamesRadar+).
It’s no surprise a Silent Hill game has minor classification issues, given the graphic content the series is known for. The ESRB’s rating mentions characters “getting their faces ripped apart,” “intense acts of violence,” “entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters” among other things. Considering the above, Konami will be hoping the Australian Classification Board has grown more permissive of graphic bodily harm in the 17 years since Silent Hill Homecoming.
A trigger warning on Konami’s website warns of “gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture and graphic violence.” The warning advises players to stop playing and talk to someone they trust if they feel uncomfortable while playing Silent Hill f.
Silent Hill f doesn’t currently have a release date, but is intended to release for PlayStation 5 and PC.
