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It's finally here, for better or worse

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: October 31, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Rockstar is no stranger to controversy, which Manhunt 2 garnered much of when it was labeled with an Adults Only rating not too long ago. Now, Manhunt 2 is finally here and carrying a Mature rating instead, but don't think that this game has been watered down a whole lot. If you played the original Manhunt, you'll feel right at home here as you play as escaped inmate Danny, who is on a mission to seek the truth. However, as the title of the game implies, you've got some trouble approaching on your tail in the form of hunters, who are looking to do some harm to you, which is saying it quite lightly. As with the first game, stealth is the name of the game, and it requires quite a bit of skill that proves pretty rewarding once you get the hang of it. The execution moves serve up ample amounts of blood and guts as well, even though a blurring effect has been added to the most violent scenes of the game. Manhunt 2 isn't without it's flaws though, including the fact that the game isn't really all that suspenseful compared to the first game. The atmosphere remains eerie, but it just feels like there's something missing here. The music and sound effects are well done, but the graphics engine looks incredibly dated. Gameplay wise, the stealth tricks work wonderfully, but the gunplay elements are rather disappointing in terms of style. The story is pretty engaging though, and the tag price isn't too bad either, which are big pluses. All in all, the controversial Manhunt 2 is finally here, and it's definitely worth checking out, but whether or not it's worth adding to your library is entirely up to you.

CENSORED

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: November 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The executions, 90% of what made the original great, are completely censored. They put a heavy red and blue blur over the screen whenever you perform an execution and move the camera repeatedly. The end result is you can only see the outline of your character and victim, and not what he's doing. This game is pointless now. Thanks a lot to the ESRB, censorship advocates, and gutless retailers who won't sell AO rated games for making sure this 31 year old couldn't play a gory video game. You've saved the world, and cheated me out of $30. This is the worst gutting of a game since the original Mortal Kombat on the SNES where there were no fatalities. BTW, the graphics are awful by modern standards. Not even worth a rental.

Censored, But still fun as heck

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

sure this game is censored and "making people in the world kill other people." Despite the censors, the game is great. i love this game's plot and themes but i dislike some of the censors. there are only a couple that look cool (The pistol execution) but the rest lack the gruesomeness and horror that rockstar games wanted us to experience. The censors basically divide this game from the last game. I do enjoy how much more action there is in this one compared to the last (most wanted)such as the gun fights and enviormental executions. the enviormental executions make this game. they make everything a hell of a lot more risky and fun.Overall i think if you enjoyed the first one, you'll enjoy this one and have fun. Rockstar games once again, managed to make a disturbing, over the top game for us to enjoy.

Bland, Censored and Lacking

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: November 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Well, of course, the first Manhunt was gruesome and excellent, so the sequal needed to be a watered down rendition of the first. And why? If the first game was alright (as far as gore) then why add some filter which masks the executions? This is my biggest gripe. Sure, I think some games are violent and gruesome, like the original Manhunt, but that's why it has a mature rating. The game experience is very bland and any sense of adventure becomes plagued by so-so graphics and somewhat boring characters. The objectives seem all too passive and the back-story altogether generic. I don't think the sequel was made by the same folks behind the original, because it just doesn't have the same feel to it. When I first played Manhunt, I was actually nervous for my character. And it was a challenge not to get caught and killed by the maniacs faced. In this one, there is something all too robotic about the enemies that kills any intelligent stealth required to kill them. The executions are dulled by the red and blue filtered screen and again, I'm not sure why, when in the original you got a complete taste of the kill. Despite it's price tag, Manhunt 2 doesn't compare to the original at all. Instead, you'll get a helping of violence censorship, a lack of true grit and an overall bland gaming experience.

A Casualty of the ESRB, but Still Fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

*Keep in mind this is a review for the PS2 version only*

I had been following this game since I heard it was in production. The first Manhunt was very entertaining, and the level of gore was very surprising, especially in this day and age where everyone insists on whining their way into our homes through censoring what the rest of us can see and play.

The scenery and sounds are definitely way creepier than the first game, and it seems to control a bit better. The environment is a whole lot more interactive than the first game as well. The executions are still divided into 3 different levels, the highest being the most brutal, but taking the longest amount of time to charge up.

The major gripe I have with this game is that some of the kills have been censored to the point where you don't know what's going on. Others remain very visible, with the black and white warping almost adding to the severity of the kill. Overall, the first Manhunt was way more visually brutal with the executions, or at least from what I've seen so far.

All in all, it's about the most fun you're going to have murdering people legally for $30. I just wish it could have been released the way Rockstar intended.

great true to original still fun with headset

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Like most i was skeptical that they made a filter for the kills but they are on and off and adds to the psychosis that the main character is going through. I would say that the premise is much the same, the enemie characters are more generic and the story is weaker. But even so this is one of the best games out. The s and m club scene was probably the best chapters the cool thing is now there are environmental kills and there were a lot just like hostel with needles and electric saws. The premise of a crazy guy was a great idea. The stealth game is still up there with splinter cell and the enemy a.i. is still high with a quick time event for guys looking in shadows like re4. Reviewers say the a.i. is weak but then they say its hard that doesnt make sense i know its hard if your not in stealth. Its suspenseful with same amazing audio, the upconvert on ps3 is nice too, coupled with the great use of usb headset only ps2 to lure enemies and hear things this is the best version and only $30 bucks. Not bad and i have the demo of conan and i would say for half of 60 your getting a much deeper, more intense, gorey game. The original manhunt was ahead of its time and it feels that this was like a sidestep upgrade but i think they were prepping a next gen manhunt 3 all along soon hopefully with EArl Cash. Still this is an amazing game great gameplay great suspense, only place for this much gore, and please buy to support rockstar they only edited for esrb. And the change isnt that bad i heard its more edited on wii. Only one scene had it blurred but that was with a guy nailed to a seat. you wont be disappointed i know im a gamer for 20 years at 25

Censors suck, but that's not all...

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 7
Date: November 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I'm not to far into this game yet, but I just had to voice my opinion. The censors practically ruin the game, but that's not all. When compared to the first Manhunt, this is boring and the graphics seem like they're from 1985. I can only hope that maybe someday, after sales drop for this game, they will release the AO version. That way, all the moaners and complainers will have zipped it, and we all can play the game the way it was meant to.

Censorship and poor story choice

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: November 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

1. Executions are censored. The gaming industry took precedant over the First Amendment and caused RockSt*r games to chicken out and create kiddie executions. Manhunt 1 is now MUCH more violent than Manhunt 2.

2. The first game told the story of a man being constantly watched, forced to murder to become free, and eventually getting revenge. The second game tells the story of a man who gets freedom but goes looking for why he was experimented on. You don't get the feel of fear, since your character could leave at any time and be safe. Bleh.

ROCKST*R! RELEASE THE ADULT VERSION. That's the only way to save this game.

BUYER BEWARE

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: November 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

ROCKSTAR caved into the political and financial pressure and pass the $30 dollar loss onto the consumers. After a long await I was thrilled as the next guy to rush out and buy manhunt 2 as soon as it came out. I read all the reviews and heard the right wing fools complain about the game and thought, ok, just as the reviews said, only the most gruesome scenes will be edited. Boy was I wrong! EVERY SINGLE KILL WITH THE HASTY, VIOLENT, OR GRUESOME OPTION YOU CHOOSE IS SHADED!!! You can't see anything! What good is this? What other reason would you buy a game like this? Yes there are better graphics then in the original manhunt, yes there are environmental kills, yes breathing has to be controlled now in shadows, yes you can now climb and crawl, yes the game could have been incredible but it isn't. Can't see the environmental kills because they are all shaded too! What good is a Ferrari without the engine? What good is manhunt without the gore? All in all since I paid $30 for the game I am struggling to finish. All in all the fun has been taken out of the game. Instead of giving the game and adult rating, ROCKSTAR wanted to sell to as many people as possible, so they could make profit at the expense of the consumers. BUYER BEWARE, WATCH THE GAME BEFORE YOU BUY IT AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION.

a bit let down

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I waited years for a sequel to manhunt only to be let down on many levels. The original Manhunt is in my top 3 game for PS2 ever made. I have re-played it so many times because it is such a challenging, fun game with so many exciting characters and levels.
Before we even get into the censorship aspect of manhunt 2, lets start with the overall look of the game. Why didn't the game developers stick with the basic engine of the first one? Grand Theft Auto has always stuck with the basic character controls and design of the game while continuing to improve game play with each release. I expected the same from Manhunt 2 but knew the second I saw the opening screen, things weren't going to be smooth.
There is an option in the settings screen that allows you to turn of the "screen noise". I would recommend doing this before starting the game. The screen noise does not add anything and takes away from the graphics. Unfortunately, this does NOT turn of the distorted filter on the execution screens. The graphics are ok. The first game had a slightly cartoonish look to the graphics but they still looked good and in some ways, added to the feel of the game more than the new one does. The original seemed darker and creepier too. Manhunt 2 isn't as dark and fails to keep you on the edge of your seat like the original did so well. Then we have the camera angles which are just horrible along with the clunky, clumsy controls. Your main character Daniel Lamb, is too large on the screen and therefore limits what you can see in hallways. Sometimes in close hand to hand combat I can't even see what I'm doing. I just swing away and hope for the best. There are times when you just can't see what is around you or where you're walking due to the very poor camera angles. When trying to do a jump attack from high positions, you can't always look down to see where your enemy is due to camera and control problems. When using stealth in the shadows, Daniel seems to be slightly illuminated rather than dark. Makes it hard to tell if you're actually hidden and takes away from the excitement of ducking in the shadows. Then you have to control your breathing which I don't think adds much to the game. Some of the on screen instructions pop up too quickly and don't give you enough time to read them. I didn't even know what the "environmental kills" were till about 5 levels into the game. I decided to start over when I realized I had skipped them all.
Manhunt 2 also seems to be void of interesting characters like the first one. In the original Manhunt, each level brought new and interesting villains to take on. In the new game, there seems to be the same boring bad guys on each level.
And now we have the censorship part of the problem. Executions are now blurred and distorted which take away from the effect of them completely. It's not even that exciting anymore. This is disappointing because the executions have become more gruesome and interesting. And along with the new "environmental executions" you really feel let down by the censor filter they put on them. The original Manhunt was just as bloody and violent yet Sony had no problem releasing it. So why has Manhunt 2 been stripped down so much? Pressure from big mouth conservatives who spend time going after video games rather than tackling any real problems in society.
The game grew on me more and more with each level, but it has it's flaws. I expected more from a sequel to one of the best games I've ever played.

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