Ubisoft’s most-awaited Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be censored in Japan due to its depiction of body dismemberment as the country implemented strict content regulations. The game has been assigned a CERO Z rating, which is the highest classification in Japan’s video game rating system, similar to North America’s ESRB M rating.
Ubisoft’s Statement on Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ban
According to Ubisoft Japan, all depictions of dismemberment have been entirely removed from the Japanese version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In contrast, other regional versions of the game will retain the feature, allowing players to toggle the gore settings on or off. Ubisoft Japan also mentioned that certain voice lines have been, though specific details were not disclosed.
Japan’s rating board, CERO, has historically imposed stringent restrictions on extreme violence. In 2023, the Dead Space remake was outright banned due to its graphic dismemberment mechanics. However, this decision faced criticism after Stellar Blade was approved for sale in Japan despite containing similar levels of gore. This inconsistency in CERO’s enforcement continues to be a subject of debate among gamers and industry analysts.
The setting of Assassin’s Creed Shadows in feudal Japan likely adds another layer of sensitivity to its violent content. Ubisoft Quebec, the game’s developer, has been cautious with this release. Game director Chris Benoit recently revealed that the game’s delay was primarily due to refining parkour mechanics to align with the unique architectural landscape of feudal Japan.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is expected for released on March 20, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. As anticipation builds, fans will be keen to see how the balances historical authenticity with the franchise’s signature gameplay elements.
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