Grandia II
Reason for controversy: Atheist and otherwise anti-religious viewpoint.
Most Japanese RPGs contain religious overtones, but not many end on the blasphemous note that Grandia II does.
The game starts off wholesomely enough. A ragtag group of adventurers must band together and embark on a quest to halt the revival of an ancient and evil god. Among them is a priestess character whose church is clearly inspired by real-life Catholicism.
Turns out, however, that the church's Pope is actually the hidden mastermind behind the dark god's return and that the world's good god has been dead for centuries. More shocking is the ending, in which the world of Grandia has not only continued, but prospered, in the absence of any god whatsoever. The priestess even gives up her faith completely to preach about humanity's strength and religion's uselessness. Holy controversy!
How did the media miss this one? Like we said, the juicy stuff doesn't occur until the very end of Grandia II, after 45 or more hours of investment. Because they require so much time and patience, role-playing games have generally managed to evade the spotlight altogether. Protesters don't want to play these things; they just want to ban them!
