Alicesoft’s adult open-world RPG Evenicle 2 will no longer be making a full release on Steam, after being rejected due to some of its content.
The developer made the announcement on Twitter, confirming the delisting of the full game was due to Steam rejecting them. However, they felt Steam were well within their right to do so, due to some the game’s adult content.
“Today we would like to announce that we will not be able to release the full English version of Evenicle 2 on the Steam store as we had originally planned. Steam decided to reject the listing of Evenicle 2, as we believe it is their right to do so, based on some of its adult content.
We would like to assure all our fans that we are still committed to continue our work on the English version of Evenicle 2 and deliver it to you through different storefronts.
We will take a break from posting new Twitter content until we are ready to announce the storefronts distributing Evenicle 2 and we hope to get back to you soon. “
At this time the Clinical Trial Edition demo is still available on Steam, as is the first Evenicle game is also on Steam. The game’s mature content description notes it features “fictional depictions of graphic violence, polygamy, drug use, hypnotism, assault, and incest; both consensual and non-consensual graphic sexual scenes between adults featuring men and women, women with other women, multiple partners, machines, and fictional creatures.”
That game’s plot features a fantasy world where the Goddess curses anyone who has sex outside of marriage; everything they grow or create withers or fails. As aforementioned, the game features graphic scenes that have led to the game’s infamy.
According to Lewd Gamer (Editor’s Note: The link to Lewd Gamer features adult content, reader discretion is advised), Evenicle 2 features a fantasy world where magically gifted individuals; dubbed Sentinels, fight off monsters. However Sentinels are more susceptible to disease, and those diseases relapse no matter how they are treated.
The main character can cure this affliction via magic, which he can only use through sex. Those who have sex must also be wed, meaning the player builds a harem.
Lewd Gamer also reports the Clinical Trial Edition featured the first seven chapters, but removed one sex scene “that was removed to appease Steam.” The cut scene was shown on Lewd Gamer; where a somewhat flat-chested woman exposes her genitals, and has sex.
The reason for the game being dropped from Steam is currently unknown, and several theories into what the game’s content could be are betrayed by what games are currently allowed on Steam; including the first game.
The mature content description of the demo does list anything that was not already mentioned in the first Evenicle game. The description notes “All instances of any reproductive organ’s artistic representation are censored with pixelization (mosaic) over the specific areas. All characters in the game are at least 18 years of age or older.”
We will keep you informed as we learn more.
Previously, Steam had edged away from adult only content- with one developer in October 2017 confirming they were no longer allowed to post any information regarding uncensoring patches on Steam. In May of that year, many adult game developers received messages from Steam, stating they needed to remove adult only content from their games or have them removed.
The day after Valve explained this was an error– as all adult only games were being re-reviewed. In June Valve stated that it would “allow everything” on Steam other than “trolling” or illegal content. The new adult filter system would later be implemented, but there have been cases of issues.
While the first totally uncensored adult only game did come to Steam in September 2018, others have not been so lucky. Visual novel Hello Good-Bye was banned even after patching the game appropriate for all ages.
The Taimanin Asagi series was set to become available on Steam in August 2019, with the first episode being free. A few weeks later the game was removed from Steam, due to accusations that the game’s characters were underage. Some believed this was caused by some characters wearing a school uniform. It would later return as Taimanin Asagi 1: Trial, devoid of any sexual content.
Visual novel Bokuten – Why I Became an Angel was also removed in late July of this year, despite it being an all ages version. The publisher later stated the game was removed for “false, invalid reasons.” After an investigation by both parties, a valid issue was discovered, removed, and returned to Steam.
HunieDev had initially confirmed that HuniePop2 would be censored on Steam (while heavily hinting at an uncensoring patch being available), but later revealed the game would be uncensored on all platforms apart from GOG. The game instead features a toggle in the options menu for adult content.
Valve also recently removed the demo for Super Seducer 3 for its adult material, causing the game to be delayed. Creator Richard La Ruina stated certain scenes will need to be altered or removed entirely in order to pass Steam’s standards. This is in spite of the previous Super Seducer games being on the platforms.
Steam users in Germany discovered in late December 2020 that Steam blocked all adult only games in the region. It was theorized this was due to German laws, and Steam’s age verification is not sufficient enough to prevent underage users from accessing the content.
Image: Steam
