Hotline Miami 2 refused classification in Australia

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number contains content so extreme it falls outside even the R18+ classification guidelines in Australia.

Hotline Miami 2 has been refused classification in Australia, meaning it can't be legally sold or distributed locally.

The Classification Board has not yet given details of its reasons for refusing classification, beyond the standard boilerplate:

"The computer game is classified RC in accordance with the National Classification Code, Computer Games Table, 1. (a) as computer games that 'depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena 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.'"

However, IGN's Mitch Dyer said it is the most violent game he's ever played, so I'm guessing that might have something to do with it. That said, Australia's content guidelines contain some unusual foibles, like very strict rules on depictions of drug use, so it may be something quite minor.

If it is something small, Dennaton and Devolver may elect to censor the particular content. Otherwise, it can try to challenge the decision.

Update: Kotaku Australia has obtained a copy of the ACB's report which outlines the reason for the decision to refuse classification.

The content in question is a sequence which (quite strongly, it seems) implies the protagonist character rapes a female character. Even the board's description of the secen is quite graphic, so click through to Kotaku if you wish to read it.

This scene falls outside the guidelines because it can be considered to "depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena 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".

Thanks, PlayerAttack.