An EA Japan executive has questioned the CERO ratings board’s consistency after Stellar Blade received an “uncensored” rating in Japan with dismemberment and gore, while EA’s Dead Space remake was refused a rating for similar content.
Stellar Blade’s official Twitter account announced that the action-RPG would be released in all countries, including Japan, in its “same uncensored version.” This means that CERO has approved the game’s release without any alterations, granting it a CERO D rating, equivalent to a 17+ rating.
However, EA Japan general manager Shaun Noguchi pointed out that CERO previously refused to rate EA’s Dead Space remake due to its depiction of severed body parts and internal organs. Noguchi expressed his difficulty in accepting this decision, questioning why Stellar Blade received a rating with similar content while Dead Space did not.
Noguchi emphasized that he had no animosity towards Stellar Blade and found the demo enjoyable. However, he urged CERO to review its rating policy for consistency in Japan.
Stellar Blade is set to launch exclusively for PS5 on April 26.
