Summary
Rule of Rose, a once-controversial JapanesePlayStation 2horror game from developer Punchline, has returned to the public eye after a sealed shipment was reportedly discovered in Italy.
The United Kingdom version of Rule of Rose has become a collector’s item over the past decade-and-a-half because the game was never officially released in the region. In 2007, Rule of Rose was the subject of a moralist campaign in Europe, with then-European Union justice minister Franco Frattini claiming the game contained “obscene cruelty and brutality.”
Frattini’s comments were criticised by the relevant EU commissioner who defended the verdict of the PEGI, the standards rating system for the EU. Rule of Rose was released in continental Europe, but Italian publisher505 Gamescancelled the launch in the United Kingdom partially because of Frattini’s comments, and partially because of comments by the British media which claimed Rule of Rose contained sadomasochism and underage eroticism. Both of these claims are untrue.
Rule Of Rose Has Become A Collector’s Item
However, the non-release of Rule of Rose has created a market for rare copies of the game with the United Kingdom flag on the back of the box. According toseveral userson the social media platform X and possibly evidenced by thedrop in priceof Rule of Rose, a sealed shipment of the UK version was discovered in Italy.
This alleged discovery has resulted in a reduction of the price of Rule of Rose on the re-selling website eBay. While the UK version of the game was approaching $600 in average price, you can now find it for around $320. This is unlikely to remain the case, though, as multiple users have reported buying the sealed editions and stocks are dwindling fast.
Rule of Rose received mixed reviews upon release but has attracted a sort of cult following in the years since. This is partially driven by the controversy surrounding the game’s release in Europe, which has given Rule of Rose a notoriety it wouldn’t have achieved otherwise.
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 launched in 2000, and in its twelve-year lifespan it became the most successful console ever, at over 155 million units shipped. This was thanks to a strong library of games, from series including Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo. Final Fantasy, and Metal Gear Solid.
