A new Visual Novel was released in Japan that has been the victim of some very heavy censorship on the PS4.
Nora to Oujo to Noraneko Heart is an adult visual novel developed by Harukaze and was originally released on PC back in 2016. Due to its popularity the game was given a 12 episode Anime adaptation and a release on the PS Vita in 2017. Known as Nora, Princess, and Stray Cat by Western fans, the game is certainly on the raunchy side.
Nora to Oujo to Noraneko Heart was released yesterday in Japan for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch and was given a CERO D rating in Japan, meaning that it’s intended for players above 17 years of age. Even after this rating, the game on the PS4 was censored heavily, which is weird considering that the PS Vita version wasn’t. The censorship shows the game’s explicit CGs covered in white rays, similar to mature TV aired Anime in Japan.
Below you can see a comparison of all three versions of the game. The order is PS4 followed by the Nintendo Switch and finally the PS Vita.
This is most likely due to Sony’s recent new policy of changing certain aspects of the game they don’t see fit for their platform. The policy came to light recently when Sony decided to censor Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal by removing the series’ super popular “Intimacy Mode”.
It was recently speculated that this policy is for Western releases only, but it seems not even Japan is safe from this new form of censorship.
What do you think about this? Is Sony in the right censoring these games? I honestly find it hilarious how Nintendo has no problems with releasing a game like this uncensored while Sony does. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
