In a surprising reveal, it seems that the PlayStation 2 exclusive game, Rule of Rose, may not be as abandoned as believed. Released by Sony and the now-closed Punchline studio, this survival horror game sparked controversy when it originally premiered in 2006. Its darker themes put it in the spotlight of moral panic, often compared to games like Silent Hill and Haunting Ground. Now, according to an industry insider, there are whispers that Rule of Rose could potentially be making a comeback.
The Controversy Surrounding Rule of Rose
Rule of Rose was a unique addition to the gaming scene of 2006—a year that saw the release of many timeless classics such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Nevertheless, this Sony exclusive survival horror game stood out, but not necessarily for its gameplay or storyline.
Despite bearing the Sony name, Rule of Rose did not fare well, receiving a meager 59 on Metacritic and experiencing lackluster sales. Its less than stellar performance was often blamed for the subsequent closure of its developer, Punchline.
Interestingly, Rule of Rose sparked a wave of moral panic, especially within Europe. The game faced heavy criticism, leading to its ban in certain regions, including the UK. Much of the outrage was based on rumors and speculations surrounding the game’s content, which included elements of violence and dark themes—drawing parallels to popular horror games like Silent Hill and Haunting Ground.
New Life for Rule of Rose?
Years after its release, Rule of Rose has resurfaced again in the gaming world in 2024. A trusted industry insider recently revealed that market research has been conducted on the possibility of a remaster or port of the game. The information comes from a slightly cryptic tweet by Dusk Golem, saying: “The company that owns Rule of Rose as an IP a few years ago held a survey asking which titles people would like to see, one of the options there was a Rule of Rose Remaster.”
While there is still no detailed information about the market research results or any official announcements, the tweets suggest that there may be some renewed interest in Rule of Rose.
Wrapping Up
Naturally, these details should be taken with a grain of salt as they come from an unverified source. Nonetheless, the possibility of a Rule of Rose comeback, either as a remaster or a port, is intriguing. Despite its controversial past and original reception, it could find a new audience in today’s gaming landscape. For now, we can only wait and see if these rumors come to fruition. In the meantime, enjoy the vast repertoire of games available on HitPlay.
