MeiQ refused classification in Australia in a move that almost seems retro

It’s been a while since the world got to point its finger and laugh at Australia’s draconian video games rating policy. Since the introduction of the R+18 ratings, the new and improved system has been working as it should, plucking out the games that children should not see while giving reasonable adults the chance to play the games they want. Today, we have our first chance in some time to recall and laugh at those days, and let me tell you, this game is right up there with the worst of them! Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, Postal…

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… MeiQ: Labyrinth of Darkness!

MEIQ: LABYRINTH OF DEATH, Computer Games, Multi Platform, Rating: RC, Author: IDEA FACTORY, Publisher: IDEA FACTORY INTERNATIONAL INC, Consu

— AusVGClassifications (@AusVGClass) June 22, 2016

The Australia ratings board refused classification, effectively banning the game, for “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.”

In other words, the likely perpetrator is cutesy anime girls winding up in double entendre situations. We are talking about Idea Factory, after all. While I don’t support games that would make sexualized humor in that regard, it is worth pointing out that this game received a “T” from the North American ESRB.

It can’t be as bad as some of the other PS Vita Etrian Odyssey knock-offs that are finding their way onto the market. Maybe there is an inside dirty joke that only Australians will get. Either that or the ESRB was too lax.

Any way, this game is not coming to Australia intact. Don’t worry. There are plenty of other cutesy dungeon crawlers that you Vita owners can dig into.