Explore ‘Backrooms Level 11’-Inspired Psychological Horror in ‘Liminal City’ [Trailer]

Excitement turned into controversy over the weekend when the next installment in the main Silent Hill game series, Silent Hill f, was reported to have been banned in Australia. The good news is that the game isn’t outright banned, but it is facing a ratings hurdle for release in Australia.

The confusion stems from Silent Hill f receiving a “Refused Classification” label assigned by an automated rating tool, a label that, in most cases, means a game cannot legally be sold in Australia. That prompted the early reports of the game’s ban. However, in the wake of the controversy, the Australian Classification Board stated that Silent Hill f has not been banned, and that the game has not been officially rated in Australia. Yet.

“Silent Hill f is not currently classified as ‘Refused Classification’ in Australia,” the ACB said in a statement to the press. “The 14 March 2025 entry on the National Classification Database has been removed.”

For further context, the only Silent Hill game banned in Australia previously was 2008’s Silent Hill: Homecoming, but a censored version was later approved for release the following year. Physical games are required to be officially rated for release, so Silent Hill f likely would have been given a manual review and approved in some form anyway. But the buzz surrounding the game’s potential banning should only fuel excitement for the upcoming release, though, as it indicates some heavy horror ahead.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has the game rated M for “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity,” and their description explaining why has us excited: “Some enemy attacks can result in players’ character getting impaled in the neck and/or getting their faces ripped apart. Cutscenes sometimes depict gore and more intense acts of violence: a character burned alive inside a cage; a woman branded by a hot iron; entrails and sinew displayed on serving platters in fantastical celebration/ceremony; a character sawing off her own arm; a character slicing off portions of a character’s face during a ritual.”

The warning on Steam is just as exciting in terms of graphic horror: “This game contains depictions of gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture, and graphic violence. This game is set in Japan in the 1960s and contains depictions based on the customs and culture of that time. These depictions do not reflect the opinions or values of the developers or any individuals involved. If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break from playing or speak to someone you trust.”

The game’s story is set in 1960s Japan, in protagonist Shimizu Hinako’s secluded town of Ebisugaoka as its enveloped by a sudden fog, transforming her home into a haunting nightmare. As the town falls silent and the fog thickens, Hinako must navigate the twisted paths of Ebisugaoka, solving complex puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive.

Konami hasn’t unveiled a release date just yet for Silent Hill f, but the recent Silent Hill Transmission gave a better idea on what to expect.

While it remains to be seen whether the game will release as is or require edits for release in Australia, it’s worth pointing out that Silent Hill f is the first Silent Hill game to receive an 18+ rating in Japan. All signs are pointing to a bold new entry in Konami’s popular game series.