Resident Evil Village Censorship Means No Decapitations In Japan
It sounds like heads WON'T roll in 2021. At least not for Resident Evil Village players in some countries. Capcom's upcoming release of the eighth main series game hopes to continue the success of Resident Evil 7 and also propel the franchise forward with some seriously spooky Resident Evil 4 vibes. Vidoe game censorship in different countries is nothing new, but the idea that you won't be able to lop the heads off zombies and vampires in Village is a major blow for hardcore players - well, in Japan.
Since 1996, Resident Evil has kept us hiding behind cushions and blasting our way through wave after wave T-virus zombies. Known as Biohazard in Japan, Capcom's shooter series has gone from strength to strength. Little did we know, that the first time we stepped inside the Spencer Mansion all those years ago, we were stepping into one of the biggest gaming franchises of all time. Capcom has never skimped on the blood and guts, but when it comes to the next chapter, at least some of that violence is being toned down in Japan.
What is the Resident Evil Village censorship?
A translated statement on Capcom's support page confirms that Resident Evil Village's release in Japan won't include decapitations, will have less blood, and no scenes that are prohibited by the country's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization Video Game Rating System. In the tweet, it's confirmed that Capcom will release two different versions of Village in Japan. As well as the already censored CERO Z (18+) version, there will be CERO D (17+) version. There are no further details on what either version will and won't contain, but we're expecting the CERO D release will be even more dialled down. Does this mean Lady Dimistrescu's ample bosom will be getting a reduction?
This isn't the first time CERO has come down hard on a game. When The Last of Us Part II was released last year, there were complaints CERO was too harsh when compared to other ratings boards. A sex scene between two characters cut to the next scene shortly after they started kissing, while elsewhere, the gore and dismemberment was scaled back. Even though Resident Evil Village isn't out yet, the classification confirms at least some decapitations are planned in-game. Considering Resident Evil is no stranger to headless corpses, it's not too much of a surprise. Interesting that pop culture has taught us one way to kill a vampire is by chopping off its head. It could spoil a potential grisly demise for Lady D and her vampiric brood.
What does the Resident Evil Village censorship mean for the game?
Censorship for games is standard practice these days. In countries like South Korea and China, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds features blue blood to downplay the violence. Still, the idea that we won't get to see Ethan Winters behead vampires and werewolves in the woods is a disappointing one. The Resident Evil games are also familiar with censorship, and even the first game was different in different countries. Although the Japanese version of Resident Evil included a brutal live-action opening (complete with severed head), the US and European release was in black and white, which also cut out much of the visceral horror.
In Resident Evil 7, the Japanese release altered a scene where Ethan had to reach down the throat of a decapitated corpse to retrieve a key. Finally, the release of the Resident Evil 2 remake was also censored when the body of Elliot Edward was covered in blood instead of being sliced in half like some regions. There is a way around the censorship though.
Although we don't condone this method, the fact the PlayStation 5 isn't region-locked means those in Japan could buy an international copy of Resident Evil Village and play it in all its intended gory glory. Remembering that a Resident Evil 4 remake is still rumoured to be in the works, we're guessing a potential release in Japan would cut those iconic scenes of Leon Kennedy losing his head to a chainsaw-wielding maniac. Oh well, you can't win 'em all.
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