Hotline Miami sequel Hotline Miami 2 has been reportedly denied classification in Australia due to its violent content, specifically the inclusion of an implied rape scene.
Reports Kotaku, the Australian Classification Board has classed the game in a category of titles which “depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex”…”in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified.”
A report outlining a specific scene in the game which resulted in a refusal of classification was sent to the publication. It describes a sequence in the game, titled Midnight Animal, where the implied, sexually violent scene takes place. Warning: The described scene may disturb some readers.
According to the report:
“In the sequence of game play footage titled Midnight Animal, the protagonist character bursts into what appears to be a movie set and explicitly kills 4 people, who collapse to the floor in a pool of copious blood, often accompanied by blood splatter. After stomping on the head of a fifth male character, he strikes a female character wearing red underwear. She is knocked to the floor and is viewed lying face down in a pool of copious blood. The male character is viewed with his pants halfway down, partially exposing his buttocks. He is viewed pinning the female down by the arms and lying on top of her thrusting, implicitly raping her (either rear entry or anally) while her legs are viewed kicking as she struggles beneath him. This visual depiction of implied sexual violence is emphasised by it being mid-screen, with a red backdrop pulsating and the remainder of the screen being surrounded by black.”
According to Kotaku, the report also states that there is more content in the game that caused Hotline Miami 2 to be refused classification. The original Hotline Miami game was granted an MA15+ classification.
Game Spot reports thats Hotline Miami 2 now joins games like Saints Row IV, State of Decay, and South Park: Stick of Truth in being initially refused classification by the Australian Classification Board. Modified versions of each of these games were later granted ratings by the board.
It is currently unclear if Hotline Miami 2 developer Devolver Digital will appeal the decision.
