Manhunt

[SS42A]

This is one gruesome game for the PS2, but it's still a classic, coming from the same makers as the GTA series. I love playing as the White Rabbit in the cop stages (Press Coverage, Wrong Side of the Tracks, Trained to Kill) such that I always enter the Rabbit Skin cheat and selecting Press Coverage. The sickle execution where you rip off your opponent's family jewels is just fun to watch. This game is like a modern version of Tenchu, where you'll use assorted weapons to finish off your foes such as baseball bats and crowbars. Instead of ninjas, you have a convicted killer on death row who hunts for the kill. It's also inspired by the film The Running Man because of the director filming the protagonist.

 

[lindbergh]

I was never impressed by the Manhunt games. I found it really boring and repetitive. The stealth action never really did it for me. Since you compared it to Tenchu, I would say that Tenchu is way better. I also had a bit of motion sickness while playing Manhunt. I never really liked the way that the camera moved. But, you're right that the game is gruesome. But if I would want to play a gruesome game, then I'd rather just play God of War.

 

[haunderv]

same comment as above the game itself for me is boring.. no trill and i hate the camera the most

 

[venomeye]

In its day Manhunt was a real shock title so much so that in the UK there was an attempt to ban it and it got blamed for the Murder of some kid in leicester.
I remember once I had got a copy getting excited to play it and the novelty of it wore off really quick and as the above comment said it became slightly boring and repetitive so much so that I don't recall finishing it.

 

[SS42A]

I was never impressed by the Manhunt games. I found it really boring and repetitive. The stealth action never really did it for me. Since you compared it to Tenchu, I would say that Tenchu is way better. I also had a bit of motion sickness while playing Manhunt. I never really liked the way that the camera moved. But, you're right that the game is gruesome.

Yes, Tenchu is admittedly way better than Manhunt, in particular the PS1 Tenchu games and Wrath of Heaven for PS2. If there's a stage in Tenchu where you kill rent-a-cops, it's the mission "Through the Portal" in Wrath of Heaven. It's like the cop stages in Manhunt, but it's just one bonus stage, and there's a boss fight as well.

In its day Manhunt was a real shock title so much so that in the UK there was an attempt to ban it and it got blamed for the Murder of some kid in leicester.

If I'm not mistaken, I think that person was Stefan Pakeerah. So far, the New Zealand government and a few others have banned Manhunt, but they just can't ban the game completely because people will only become more curious such that they will find a way to bypass the censors and obtain a copy through any means possible. Officially it's banned, but behind the scenes, maybe someone in NZ managed to slip a copy of the game for themselves, but they won't reveal it for fear that the censors in NZ will prosecute him for possession.

 

[BlackSolaris]

Really enjoyed the game, both the original and the sequel, even though i played it on the PC. It went with the shock value, but i kinda liked the game for what it went with. It would be really cool if Rockstar could revive the series for the PS3/PS4.

 

[RaggaJungle]

I really liked Manhunt. I was quite young when I first played it though, and being as sensitive as I was, I was quite shocked at the level of violence to be honest. I remember it being removed from the shelves in many game stores though after the murder that took place, whereby Manhunt the game got the blame for influencing him. I think is where the danger of violence in video games lies - some people struggle to differentiate between fiction and reality.

 

[xxfearless]

Manhunt's one of those games that I always heard a lot about and meant to check out, but never got around to actually playing. It sounds interesting though, at least enough for me to watch a Let's Play or some gameplay footage on YouTube. Thanks for reminding me that this game exists; I'm going to go check it out ASAP!

 

[SS42A]

I think is where the danger of violence in video games lies - some people struggle to differentiate between fiction and reality.

Quite true, which is why the older, more conservative generation wants to shield us from the violence found in these games...or so they claim to be. I mean, there's a reason for video game ratings to exist in the first place. If I feel frustrated, I let it out by playing mature-rated games. The ability to differentiate them rests solely in the player, not in the game. Unfortunately parents' groups and so-called moralists have a totally different point-of-view which pins the blame on the game itself. When Take-Two re-released Vice City with edited content after protests from concerned groups, I was a bit disappointed with the company.

 

[mansawalta]

Manhunt is way too violent. I tried to play it a few times but it just wasnt for me. I even read about it online that an 8 yr old boy in england killed his sister because he wanted to try some of the moves from the game. Thats way too much violence for me.

 

[Lokitns]

I played manhunt when it first came out, and I remember thinking it was just sooo violent and over the top. And now I can't believe it, especially after playing games like MGS:R or anything with dismemberment really. The stealth didn't really feel like true "stealth" but then again, I guess no games really felt Stealthy after playing Thief for so many hours. But yeah, I was actually impressed with it, and enjoyed it when I first played it.

 

[TinkerBell]

Manhut is fun and scary at the same time. The game graphics and sound effects are brilliant. I don't think you should play this game at night, if you get nightmares!

 

[lindbergh]

Yeah, come to think of it, Manhunt is no longer as violent as it once was. Just play God of War 3 and God of War Ascension and Manhunt would automatically feel like child's play. I also was never a fan of Manhunt's stealth mechanics. I felt that the implementation was not very polished.