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Confirmed: Without bonus costumes Fatal Frame V sees further censorship in main story

sensui-tomo

Member
What age is the character supposed to be?

That really shouldnt matter, what we cant have a game that exploits children?
Edit: Not as the player, but a story following a person that's being exploited.... Not a game where you exploit children...(except child soldiers and you being the world's enemy... oh hey i know a game that should have had this)
 
Eh, it's just more fuel to the fire of a terrible marketed, localized, and distributed game by NoA at this point. What a mess this one has been.

If its ANY consolation for the EU fans at least they have a nice physical edition.
 
This must be why Fatal Frame V reviewed so poorly: the irreparable damage to artistic intent! The scene and the game are incomprehensible now.

Shame on NoA for changing this scene slightly.

I reserve the right to judge instances of "censorship" on a case by case basis, and this is not one I would ever get personally upset about. But I also understand that it's the principle of it and respect that others are upset. Still, this wouldn't upset me.
 

KingBroly

Banned
Kinda wonder if they had to change it because of the ESRB, who are kinda strict about that sorta thing. Smash 3DS removed the Tharja trophy (seen in leaks) because Nintendo didn't want it to be rated T.
 

sörine

Banned
I'd imagine the censorship was to get around Germany's stricter ratings guidelines. I think DOA Dimensions had to skip release entirely there over the age/costumes at play and the model/photo mode.

Should of just let XSeed publish it
Xseed passed on Fatal Frame II, something about having to deal with two publishers or something making things too complicated. Plus it's not like it'd have helped in Europe, which is more likely why the 17 year old's more covered up.
 

oti

Banned
I really don't mind.

But I was never planning on buying it so my opinion doesn't matter really.
 

Eila

Member
Why even publish this yourselves? Should have known digital only + censorship would only piss off potential buyers. Nintendo really should have let someone else handle the localization.
This is going to flop so bad.
 
m-rated niche horror game only available online - censor models

t-rated strategy game - allow prepubescent looking girl who says she's a thousand year old dragon in bikini armor

priorities
 
Kinda wonder if they had to change it because of the ESRB, who are kinda strict about that sorta thing. Smash 3DS removed the Tharja trophy (seen in leaks) because Nintendo didn't want it to be rated T.

I believe Sakurai has stated that the Tharja trophy was removed because of CERO, not ESRB.

As for Fatal Frame, I know games like DoA have been restricted in Europe for depictions of "underage" characters. Is not this change more likely because of Europe rather than NoA?
 

Dusk Golem

A 21st Century Rockefeller
This must be why Fatal Frame V reviewed so poorly: the irreparable damage to artistic intent! The scene and the game are incomprehensible now.

Shame on NoA for changing this scene slightly.

I reserve the right to judge instances of "censorship" on a case by case basis, and this is not one I would ever get personally upset about.

I honestly think the reason it reviewed badly is because it's old-school design philosophies. It sounds like from critics and horror fan friends of mine have described it that it's Fatal Frame, a lot of the 'critiques' is that the game is Fatal Frame basically, reviews were all over the place because some don't like those old-school design philosophies, others do.

It makes me sad to affirm I'm in a niche. Games like these don't really get made here anymore, and this is the first big one to come out in ages, and it gets slammed somewhat for being old-school. The 'flaws' pointed out for the game could basically almost be said for any other entry in the series as well, and the general opinion of horror enthusiast on the title is positive. But these 'flaws' are some of the very reasons why some people, like myself, love them.
 

kunonabi

Member
People need to realize that localization means more than just translating the game. As always people will find excuses to not support a niche game when a company actually decides to bring it over.



M-rated or not its still a Nintendo published game and they didnt felt comfortable with it for the US market.

So if this were a few years ago and NOA had decided to remove Link's dress in Triforce Heroes or gay marriages in Fire Emblem Fates, we would just chalk it up to localization?
 
"I don't care for it so it's good that people who do won't get to enjoy it."

Basically how these threads always go.
It's not the sort of thing that would keep me from buying a game I was interested in, but it does seem a bit pointless (especially for an already super niche title)

Seems like the argument as to whether or not it "is" censorship is being based on whether or not it bothers people. Censorship is altering something to satisfy a certain view/perspective/taste. The change is made because those opposing the costume exist (and are, presumably, the majority....at least according to whatever the decision is based on)
 

Zonic

Gives all the fucks
She was 17 in Japanese version.
So uh.....
Why didn't Nintendo just up her age by a year to make her 18? Change the other girl's age to 20 to keep the 2 year difference.

Would've been much easier, no removing/changing stuff, & it would've saved us yet another censorship argument thread.
 

ReBurn

Gold Member
Violence,blood,guts = ok
Any skin showing in bikini or sexuality = banned or altered to not offend

LOL

Western civilization has reached the point where sexualizing people is somehow more offensive than murdering them. I don't know what that means, but I'm sure that it means something.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
God forbid people make conscientious and informed decisions about how to spend their money.
Which is fine...just dont complain about it later when these games dont get sequels or or arent picked up for western releases in the future.

So if this were a few years ago and NOA had decided to remove Link's dress in Triforce Heroes or gay marriages in Fire Emblem Fates, we would just chalk it up to localization?
Underaged teenager girls in Bikinis isnt the same as same sex marriage or having a Boy(Link) running around in a dress - especially if its a game with cartoon type graphics
 
Removing story related stuff is lame on principal.

The story related thing here being removed doesn't bother me personally, but on principal I'm against it's removal.
 

sensui-tomo

Member
So uh.....
Why didn't Nintendo just up her age by a year to make her 18? Change the other girl's age to 20 to keep the 2 year difference.

Would've been much easier, no removing/changing stuff, & it would've saved us yet another censorship argument thread.

20 year old idol... HA those dont exist in the gravure section... We call those porn stars... Idol culture is fucking terrible....
 

Razmos

Member
Eh, hearing about what the game is about and how it deals with it's themes, the censored version still conveys that.

It's not as effective of course, because the scene is supposed to be creepy and degrading, and her being fully clothed does lessen that impact a bit, but it still works.

The fact it had to be changed sucks, but if that's what it takes to get it released, I think people should be happy with that, it's better than the alternative.
 
Personally, I don't care about the changes they made. I wasn't going to play this game, and have no interest in it.

However, the act of censorship (or localization, as some so dearly want to call it) is still completely idiotic.

In a game filled with death and grotesque, unsettling sights and experiences - Nintendo has decided to choose what's "okay" for the players to see.

It feels as if Nintendo does not look highly on their western audiences. It's like a blast to the past with how backwards this is.

Yeah, it's a small change. But it could very well set a precedent for having this happen in future titles with similar content that Nintendo produces.

And - going by what people are saying in this thread - it's important to the scene and it's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable in the context of the cutscene that has been changed? That makes this even sillier.

Does anyone know if Nintendo has censored similar content in games on the Wii U or 3DS?
 
I honestly think the reason it reviewed badly is because it's old-school design philosophies. It sounds like from critics and horror fan friends of mine have described it that it's Fatal Frame, a lot of the 'critiques' is that the game is Fatal Frame basically, reviews were all over the place because some don't like those old-school design philosophies, others do.

It makes me sad to affirm I'm in a niche. Games like these don't really get made here anymore, and this is the first big one to come out in ages, and it gets slammed somewhat for being old-school. The 'flaws' pointed out for the game could basically almost be said for any other entry in the series as well, and the general opinion of horror enthusiast on the title is positive. But these 'flaws' are some of the very reasons why some people, like myself, love them.

I was just kidding, but this is actually a good post. I'm a horror fan as well, and whenever people call games like Amnesia or PT "walking simulators" I know they just don't get it.

I've never played a Fatal Frame game despite a persistent interest, but I was sort of already under the impression you have solidified here.
 
So uh.....
Why didn't Nintendo just up her age by a year to make her 18? Change the other girl's age to 20 to keep the 2 year difference.

Would've been much easier, no removing/changing stuff, & it would've saved us yet another censorship argument thread.

We don't talked sense in these threads sir. GET OUT!

But yes this would have worked quite easily.
 

Battlechili

Banned
Just heard about this elsewhere. This is extremely upsetting. Its also lessens the impact and reasoning behind the main character's personality. To quote someone I know on another site, "The whole fact that she sells her body for money characterizes her. It adds to how miserable she is and emphasizes her low self-esteem. And they just dumbed it down. The one part where the bikini is actually relevant."

If this is true (and based on how the MC talks, I find it highly likely), then NoA actually hurt the characters and story of the game through this sort of censorship, which was likely extremely unnecessary in the first place. I said this before, but in any normal situation I'd buy this game used, but seeing as how NoA made this digital only....I don't know what to do. I don't want to support censorship of any kind, especially when it weakens the characters and story of the game. But at the same time, I like horror games and this game seems really cool.
 

Rran

Member
I am really surprised by some of the reactions concerning the censorship in this game--I mean, I can understand being disappointed that the N.A. release is somewhat bowdlerized... but it's not censored in any meaningful way, IMO. I just don't see how these relatively small changes are enough to sway one away from the title.
 

sensui-tomo

Member
you, uh...

you sure you don't wanna rephrase?

I wouldnt be surprised if you had a visit later.

Let me try adding in a different approach, Lets have a game where you're a detective in japan and you're going through some leads and it gets you to a place that's basically a child sex ring and you're job is to find someone and stop it... Should the game not exist because that sex ring is a thing and you're trying to end it or because someone will be upset that its a thing in a game.. Thats what i meant by exploiting children, a game dealing with that happening... not you the player exploiting children. but a story revolved around that happening.

He was talking about 18 year old idol. Erm they exist right? right?
again as i said in a previous statement. Idol Culture is fucking terrible. But i believe there are just 18 year old idols, mainly in the music or voice industry though.
 
So uh.....
Why didn't Nintendo just up her age by a year to make her 18? Change the other girl's age to 20 to keep the 2 year difference.

Would've been much easier, no removing/changing stuff, & it would've saved us yet another censorship argument thread.
Changing a characters age is better than changing what she wears in a single scene? If what people actually care about is maintaining the integrity of the work (haha) then how is that better?
 

rhandino

Banned
Eh, hearing about what the game is about and how it deals with it's themes, the censored version still conveys that.

It's not as effective of course, because the scene is supposed to be creepy and degrading, and her being fully clothed does lessen that impact a bit, but it still works.

The fact it had to be changed sucks, but if that's what it takes to get it released, I think people should be happy with that, it's better than the alternative.
I agree with this, its not really a big change and the scene still conveys the original intention so whatever...

Perched for the meltdowns when Fire Emblems Fates releases without the My Room "feature" and toned down dialogue
 

SenkiDala

Member
19 is the main characters age, this character is 17.

Still it doesn't matter... I mean how dresses 17yo girls in USA when the go to the beach? Bikini is THAT perv? o_O

And in Japan you can see pictures/videos like thise one from girls really younger than 17yo... 13, 14 is possible too.

Btw I'm not talking to you especially but to persons in general who feels that "oh it's OK, seeing a girl in bikini, oh my god that's terribly shocking"... -_-"
 
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