China is notoriously strict about the kind of video games it lets its citizens play, often banning games with violence and gore. Considering this, it's no surprise Resident Evil 2 has been banned in China, but even though the game isn't "officially" available, some online vendors have used clever tricks to sell it there anyway.

Various Chinese vendors have been selling Resident Evil 2 using different box art and titles to avoid attention from government authorities. Some of the different titles they've come up with include First Day on the Job at the Police Station: RemakeCome Beat Me 2Fried Cold Rice 2, and Biochemical Crisis, according to a report by Abacus News. Vendors have also called the game January 25th, which was its worldwide release date.

Another way vendors in China have been selling Resident Evil 2 is by advertising it as a different game entirely. For example, one vendor has been selling what some may believe are copies of the side-scrolling Little Nightmares game, but are really the Resident Evil 2 remake. Another has been doing the same thing, except with Plants vs. Zombies instead of Little Nightmares.

It seems these vendors regularly get away with things like this, and there doesn't appear to have been any major crackdown by government authorities. Despite the Chinese government apparently not caring enough to efficiently enforce its bans, it's unlikely to stop it from continuing to ban various video games in the region.

resident evil 2 china ban fake cover art

One of the most recent examples of China banning a video game is with Fortnite. The popular battle royale title, while being significantly less violent as the Resident Evil 2 remake, was also deemed inappropriate for Chinese citizens by the government. Despite the ban, it's virtually a guarantee that there are many in China playing the world's most popular battle royale game anyway.

Perhaps one day China will loosen its restrictions on video games, and allow its citizens to purchase legitimate copies of titles like Resident Evil 2. In the meantime, Chinese vendors will likely continue to come up with clever tricks to still keep selling banned games anyway.

Resident Evil 2 is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Abacus News