Manhunt
Did nothing to ease Brad's fear of Big Brother-style surveillance, certainly...
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Rockstar North seem to enjoy courting controversy with their multi-million selling Grand Theft Auto series of games, the most recent of which is barely a year old. To keep the fire in the bellies of gaming nay-sayers fully lit Rockstar have unleashed what is sure to make Grand Theft Auto look like Super Mario Brothers in terms of close to the knuckle content.
James Earl Cash, a convicted and recently executed murderer, awakes to find himself not only alive, but at the mercy of snuff movie director Starkweather. It seems that Cash has been selected to star in Starkweather's most ambitious movie to date: one man against many in a desolate wasteland, the titular Manhunt. Taking direction through a wireless earpiece Cash must make his way through the challenges set by Starkweather executing the gang members (hunters) using whatever weapons he can find. To begin with Cash is going to have to use a little imagination as this isn't the kind of scenario where absent minded thugs are going to be leaving fully loaded semi-automatic weaponry for you to find. The first weapon to be placed in Cash's sweaty, murderous palms is a plastic bag. I think the stark picture being painted should give you some idea of what to expect when Cash encounters his first victim.
But wait. Cash can't just go running in "bags blazing" as it were. This is one man against a horde of homicidal maniacs, even the nuttiest of fruitcakes wouldn't just charge in and lay to waste an entire gang. Stealth must be used. Sneaking up behind his victim Cash can then dispatch with them by holding down the X button, the longer it is held down, the more gruesome the murder, and the happier the director. This, then, is the premise for the entire game. Sneaking up on people and killing them in the most hideous and violent way possible.
Let's get one thing straight from the offset, this is no Grand Theft Auto. Despite its setting, there is a lot of tongue in cheek humour residing in the GTA games which take the edge off of the otherwise abhorrent acts you are committing. Manhunt has no such elements. Enemies are decapitated, bludgeoned, shot, garrotted and beaten in as graphically brutal a fashion as the Playstation 2 can muster. These events are displayed as if being recorded on a particularly low budget CCTV system in a variety of quick cuts to show the horror of the kill. Starkweather then comments on how good or bad a kill you have managed and encourages you to do better or continue onward.
The game carries all the hallmarks of John Carpenter's early film work, dark, poorly lit environments, twisted gangs with murderous and sinister intent, an overwhelming sense of paranoia and even a Carpenter inspired synth soundtrack. There is also a good smattering of David Cronenberg thrown in for good measure in the voyeuristic elements; you can't help but feel uneasy while playing. Be it the soulless and voiceless Cash, the gleeful taunts and praise of Starkweather, or the mercilessly bigoted and violent gang-members, there is very little here to take comfort in. This is violence for violence sake, no underlying message of hope, good, or even humour. The introduction of a female journalist trying to uncover Starkweather's sinister plots through Cash does little to fill the otherwise empty morality vessel.
Please don't get me wrong, this is a game produced with style and finesse on every level, and I believe that it was Rockstar North's intention to create an uneasy setting for their game. Indeed it will certainly sell on the negative publicity that it will no doubt attract over the coming weeks. But it really deserves to sell because it's an incredibly well crafted game experience. The controls are simple, responsive, context sensitive and easy to pick-up. The user interface is neat, functional and easy to read, especially the radar: enemies only appear on it if they are audible or visible and it works very well to increase the tense atmosphere especially when the enemy you are stalking shuts his mouth and vanishes leaving you wondering where he has gone. Do you move out and try to find him visually and risk being seen? Or do you wait for him to start whistling or tread on something noisy? Interestingly the game steers clear from the usual game language associated with the stealth genre. Other than highlighted pick-ups, enemy states and behaviour have to be perceived from their actions rather than a floating icon above their heads. And it works, something that MGS evidently chose not to do.
Graphically this is Rockstar North's finest hour, the graphic style really suits the game and the environments look grim and intimidating. The characters inhabiting the environments are also excellent and James Earl Cash sports some very nice animation, which is not only functional but communicates to the player when various actions are available such as when to charge-up your murder button. The sound is very well produced and the voice talent is top notch. While not as notable as Rockstar North's coup de grace GTA, all the actors do a great job. The soundtrack, as mentioned earlier, is a great homage to John Carpenter's movie scores and are used sparingly which adds to the already thick atmosphere the game has. The only real downside to the game is its great difficulty. Player progress is rated at the end of each stage out of 5 stars, to even get 2 is tough, getting five right now seems impossible, but I am sure learning the level layouts will reap the rewards desired.
Manhunt is a great game, and though the subject matter is questionable, it comes highly recommended if you can stomach what are unarguably the grimmest moments in videogame history and are prepared to tolerate the game's high difficulty level.
86%
Comments
Bloody Brilliant
Hi my name is Daniel. This game just shows how much gore wer need this is one of the best games i have ever seen and it is no lie Rockstar games have done it again :)
This game is awsome
good game. it's awesome
Execellent Job with the game. the best game I had Ever played
quite dark and eire. i say its an excellent game rockstar now how to make them. brand spanking new idea too thats good as we do have to many sequals now. i wont be surprised if this game is off the shelves soon luckily i have my copy and im gaurdin it with my chainsaw. 10/10
you proper messed up.
i wanted a review not your life story
this game is pretty damn good it really does change your mood and personality. It is the most absorbing game i have played
This game is very tactical, and you must be willing to play a long time in order to conquer its difficulty. Otherwise the best game i have ever played on
Naughty Naughty boy? Sounds like someone has a sick love for children!
totally wicked kill fun.......decent anyway
See you on the front page when you loose what's left of your humanity.
it's super... your bloodthirst just get bigger and bigger
games for real men ............dont be a girl
i like pie:d
This is the most unbelieveable game grab your controller and get ready for a long time in the crib itis so SICK that you can't help but to keepplaying waiting patiently to cut the next guys head off or smash his skull into pieces with the most disturbingsound of brains spattering the floor. JUST BUY IT you won't be disappointed!
Um for that anti gamer who uses big words and said that games like this one make us do what they do on the games. its not true im not violent but i cant spell either.
This game rocks so hard i think its almost better then vice city or midnight club
Awesome game, not for the faint hearted, Deep Dark Atmosphere, Brad Davey's Review tells you how it is. Turn out the lights and Dig In.....
how do you do violant kills in doin time
I like slush-puppies...
:-D
how many levels is the game?
how many levels is the game?
how do i get five stars and be invisibal
i am on the exact same bit and i am also stuck i dont know how to do violent and gruesome kills with the hammer, if u find out e-mail me back please.
For those wondering about the violent and grusome executions; When you go to execute with either the square or X button - hold it down for a few seconds, The targets will turn yellow(for violent) and after a few more seconds they will turn red(for gruesome). I was so psyched to see that there were more than one cinema scenes for killing..enjoy
s
how do iget 5 staers in traied to kill
excellent review. the game is definatly challenging. the highest score i've got so far is 3 stars.
i like to see games make contoversy in the news, but im sick of hearing about violence and all that crap. do you really think that some candy ass political guy has the slightest idea what a video game even is these days? i just hope it doesnt ruin it for everyone like us in the future.
anyways, great game, i hope to see more by rockstar soon!
how do i get 5 staers in trained to kill
Monkey see, monkey kill...
Can anybody help me, I don't know how to make the brutal and the barbarian kill wit' the hammer
maybe you should think about learning how to spell urself before you criticize others about it (hint hint)
How do I get infinite health?
ES DE LO MEJOR EN EL PS2
socom JR , you are a sick sad person, it is people like you that get one of the best games banned. You take privileges away from other people that realy want to play the game but will not relate to violence, so dont play the game till you are mature enough....
Take a look at the Ratings on the back of the Box.
When it says Mature 17+ you can be that it will have questionable content.
well said
thank you Rockstar
Reckon' George Bush musta played this game!
wow this game has everything i want in a game, blood killing very difficult gameplay and most of all garotting wire hehehe :) over all ill give it a 9 out of 10
The sickest game I have ever played!
NICE!
Will there be a pc-version for this awesome game?
Yea !
some one needs to take jr's game away before he hurts himself. Hey "Jr ", does mommie know that your plaing a game like that ?
Just sneak up on one of the guys from behind (make sure he doesnt see or hear you) than press and hold the square or x button now 3 arrows pop up changing color, the longer you hold the button the more gruesome the kill. White (simple) yellow (violent) red (Gruesome) try it :-)
I thought this game was brilliant, i recently bought it for my 10 year old son and 12 year old. They love it, i sit up at night playing it with them for hours, we have such a good time with it. When 'James Earl Cash' executes the maximum brutality decapitation attack with the machete or meat clever the three of us embrace each other with laughter. I advise al parents to purchase this game for your children regardless of age.
THANKYOU ROCKSTAR :-)
Oh, come on guys!
Ineed this game and I don't have a PS2!
Anyone out there who knows something about a pc-release?!?
'Haven't played the game, but I'm looking forward to it. Especially since I heard that it makes GTA look innocent. Now, how the can anyone not be familiar with the ESRB system for games? Also note: Games = Fun, Idiots = Violence.
Cross out the first "the" in the third sentence. Heheh.
Really, it's basic stuff. = )
I've just bought the game and I can't stop playing it, is so insane, the best I've ever seen from Rockstar.
I think you all need to take a break from the games and learn how to communicate correctly. Don't they teach spelling and grammer in school any more?
Get an education, then play this game.
I really love the game it's brill. When is your next GTA coming out. Try to blend some of the stealth of Manhunt in it and it will be even better than the other ones and come on, they were pure class
These game is amazing, the intensity is unreal and the shear adrenaline rush u get from making a vital, grusome kill is amazing. 10/10, this game must get be the 1 of the most bloodiest games ive played
This game is the best because it's one of those games where even on it's regular difficulty setting it's still hard not like other games. Also, im 14 years old and I think socom jr is way immature to pay this game than myself! What kind of dumbass would do the same things a game shows you, oh wait there is such a dumbass!
Rockstar games makes awsome games and they should keep up the good work.
Dude, this game is gorey and some what funny at the same time... but like GTA there will always be debates about how negative it is... i just wanna say this game is one of the best games out since it does what other games CAN'T!! They banned it in New Zealand since they felt it "Tought you how to kill people". It pretty much does lol, but its the players who determine that. If your mind gets too obsessed with it and your close to doing a killing spree, then it was your choice dude. Rockstar doesn't have any blames cos they give the public what they want. Times change, and if you can handle the killings and gore then buy it and try it for yourself. if you cant... Don't Bother!
You're manhunt layout covered a lot of detail. It gave me alot facts about the game.
this game is the best game i have ever played. I feel like im in the game.
hold down the square button :)
I think that this game is ok for adults but do we really want kids playing this ( i say playing but is actually DOING it) back when i was young it was all about mario games , it was all the rage for kids everywhere. We are in an era when GTA is all the rage ( best seller ) and that is definitly two extremes. it begs the question should games and and some films have a 21 adult rating ?.
I completely agree with your comment, I was allowed to watch the Exercist when I was 4, now thats screwed!I haven't played this game yet, but i'm really looking forward to it after readind these good reviews.
so far this game is great! i just started playing and havent seen anything TOO crazy yet!
Dude get a life
How can I kill piggsy ?? I can only find only 2 glass shards and a wooden spike . I need one more weapon. The bricks are not much of use.
manhunt is an exceptional quality game! The gameplay is amazing and the weapons r devastating and highly lethal. It downside is how flamin' hard the game is aand the enviroment u paly in, in the game makes it tense, frightenting and full of suspense. Apart from this Manhunt is top.
manhunt is the best game i have ever played on
you are stupid this game is definately run by fairies and elves
i could question your trust in me ever since you ran out on me i hate you
how come this sort of game wasn't thought of sooner? all the hatred built up in my life can be subdued thanx to this game :-D thank u rockstar, for allowing me to mutilate some with a chainsaw...
There once was a young man named Ed,
Who wouldn't take a woman to bed,
When he wanted to diddle,
He cut out the middle,
and hung the rest in a shed...
This is one helluva game!
Really people should be more worried about the misery of 2/3 of the people of the planet instead of "violent games", I love how americans make such a big deal of how a game is violent and then go to another country and kill as many people as can just for cash.
A bunch of pixels killing another buch of pixels is a menance, but a dictador rulling the most powerful nation on earth is ok.
Cmon, leave us have fun with the videogames and start worrying about something that matters.
gore gore gore do i have to say it again
Hi
Can anybody help me, I don't know how to make the brutal and the barbarian kill with the hammer!
what can i do?
This game kicks ass
you left a trail of head juice
I PLAYED AND FINISHED THIS GAME...
IT IS NOT SO NASTY... U KNOW! IT'S "SUPER NASTY"
BLOOD ALL OVER THE PLACE... 'BUY IT' I GURANTEE U THAT U WILL U ENJOY IT...
PROBABLY U'LL GO KILL RIGHT NOW AFTER U PLAY THE GAME... I KILLED MY COUSIN BECOUSE OF THIS GAME, AND IT FELT REAL "BLOODY GOOD"... DONT FORHGET 2 WATCH ME TONIGHT AT THE 11 O'CLOCK NEWZ... LOOK SHARP!
AND REMEMBER, "KILLING IS GOOD" GOOD I TELL YA... REAL GOOD...!
I agree,this game rules! I have had it for a long time and am still stuck in Doin Time level.It's a must have game!I would have given this game a 99
i cummed my self :-p
hello.........anybody............
help me kill piggsy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLS!!!!!!
horny
the best game u could ever wish to play, have the urge to kill some1???? play this instead!!
man this is gross but its pretty mean how u can smash peoples head off and stuff
I know the subject of these kind of games is often questioned, and the only thing that is more over done than the gore is the less intelligent people of the gaming community "trying" to defend the right to keep violence in games. The entire phylosphy behind video games is to go into a "fantasy" adventure, whether it be killing demons, flying an x-wing to destroy the death star, or killing bumbling gang memers in a dilapidated underworld of a city. Video games allow us to go into a place that we could never go. As consumers we have the right to choose what to purchase(within the standards of the ESRB rating system). As far as "worried mother" is concerned, heres a hint, do some research before you spoil your children with another game. You were the one who bought it for them after all. And "diablo" you weren't strapped to a chair with your eyelids pulled back and forced to wach the movie by your parents, it was your choice after all even if you were 4 years old. As far as your parents "allowing" you to watch it is their problem. Whether banned or not will not make any difference with children. It is the duty of the parents or guardians to keep these games and movies out of the reach of children until they see fit that they can watch or play them. I am 17 years old, and play this game regularly. I also understand that fiction is fiction and I know not to go running around at night killing people. It's common sense. I agree with "Turok" games are supposed to be fun, and a disturbed mind with a murderous rage = violence.
how do i do the monkey kill monkey see level
This is one BAD ASS game!! :-p
this game is the best iv ever play
At first I thaught manhunt was a stupid game but when I got more into the game I started getting addicted to it, just on 3/4/07 I played it for 5 hours when I got passed FUELLED BY HATE. But now im stuck on some sort of level where you are killing some mentally retaded guys. I think they are smarter than the other hunters I fought in the game earlier.
FUkkkin insane
IM ONLY NINE AND I BEAT BOTHE