Update [March 25, 2025]:
The ban on Silent Hill F in Australia has been lifted. The listing that previously marked it as “Refused Classification” has been taken down, and officials have now clarified that the game hasn’t been rated at all yet.
A representative explained that the earlier entry was removed from the classification database and confirmed that a proper rating would be issued before the game’s release.
In their words: “Silent Hill f is not currently classified as ‘Refused Classification’ in Australia… A classification decision will be published to the National Classification Database ahead of the game’s release.”
The original listing appears to have been added by mistake, likely through an automated system, causing unnecessary confusion. The game’s back in limbo for now, but if things go well, Australian fans may still get the chance to play before launch.
Original story [March 24, 2025]:
Australian fans eager to experience Silent Hill F might be out of luck, at least for now.
The country’s classification board has officially refused to give the game a rating, which essentially prevents it from being released or sold through legal channels.
The board has yet to provide a detailed breakdown, but the decision seems to come from the game’s intense content and heavy themes, some of which push boundaries Australia’s system has had trouble approving in the past.
From what’s been revealed so far, Silent Hill F isn’t afraid to dive deep into alarming territory.
It’s set in 1960s Japan and features a storyline that deals with trauma, violence, and psychological horror. The imagery reportedly includes graphic depictions of body mutilation, scenes of torture, and content involving children and abuse.
These topics have consistently triggered classification blocks in Australia. Also included are scenes with drug use tied to gameplay or progression, which the board often sees as a big red flag.
This ban hits harder because Silent Hill F is a huge return for the franchise. It’s the first mainline game in over ten years, and with a new setting and story, fans are pretty excited. Much like previous games like We Happy Few, Fallout 3, and DayZ, it is now dealing with Australia's strict media standards.
Over time, those earlier games reached Aussie players through content changes or appeals. Konami has yet to reveal whether they plan to go down that path.
One thing we know for sure is that the game has already received the highest age rating in Japan, a nation with its own set of stringent content standards. That by itself points to Silent Hill F surpassing its predecessors in terms of horror presentation.
The game's Steam page explicitly states, “If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break from playing or speak to someone you trust.” A message like that is only included if the publisher believes the content could truly upset players.
Aussie horror fans hoping to explore this new Silent Hill twist might have to wait a while or figure out another way to play.