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Manhunt
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Graphics & Sound:
Warning: This game is NOT meant for anyone under the age of 18!!!
Never the ones for good taste, Rockstar seems content to always push
things to the extreme. This is something that has obviously worked for
the company when considering the enormous sales numbers of the Grand
Theft Auto series. Yet, at the same time, it also seems like their
crass humor, violence and sex are really the only things the company can
sell since some of its other franchises haven't done all that well.
Manhunt is one of the more extreme cases of boundary pushing to
come out of Rockstar. Combining elements of The Running Man with the
dark horror of snuff films (like the ones seen in 8mm), Manhunt
is a game that is likely to win acclaim from some gamers for its content
rather than its gameplay.
The graphics in Manhunt set the game's mood perfectly. Overall,
they do exactly what they are supposed to do -- make you uncomfortable.
This is a tone set by most of the game. Levels are dark, run down and
just plain eerie. This is not the place you want to be at after 12
midnight, or for that matter, 12 noon. Environments are about as creepy
as those found in Silent Hill, only instead of things like fog
setting the tone, it is a brutal, inner city sprawl. Character models
have the same look and feel of characters from Rockstar's other games --
only with a little more detail. Leather clad thugs and murderers roam
the streets and chase you down. The detail on enemies is nice, and helps
give them a creepy, yet fun, madness. Your character even changes over
time and will feature cuts, bruises and blood splatters as time
progresses. One of the more interesting aspects of the game is how the
camera will change its perspective to a grainy, surveillance camera view
when you kill enemies. This is one of the areas that will undoubtedly
make people uncomfortable with the game. Again, this game is not meant
for anyone under the age of 18. I'm in my mid-twenties, and still had
problems with some of the game's presentation.
One of the MAJOR qualms I had with the game was the use of language - in
particular, the use of certain four letter words. Ask anyone who knows
me; I'm the last person to get offended with anything. In fact, more
than usual I'm the one being told to watch myself or tone it down. But
the language in Manhunt is inexcusable in parts. I don't mind a
few cuss words here and there -- but just as long as there's a reason
for them. Though a few uses can be justified in the game, often times it
just felt like they were thrown in just to be there. It's almost like a
little kid looking for attention at times. Personal feelings aside, the
audio is really good -- especially when using the USB headset to listen
to comments from The Director. Ambient sounds are what really help to
sell the game's gritty graphics. Some of the really dark parts occur
when pinning down enemies. They will literally begin pleading for their
lives. Again, this gave the game a very 'un-right' feeling since I
sometimes felt bad for what I was forced to do in the game.
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Gameplay:
Manhunt places you in the role of James Cash, a violent criminal
who has been sentenced to death. After receiving what was supposed to be
a life-ending injection, Cash wakes up in a room. A mysterious voice,
known only as The Director, informs him that he has been given a second
chance. The catch is, he's not given a chance to become a hero and right
his wrongs, he's given a second chance to survive. As it turns out, the
Director is making snuff films, and he wants Cash to star in his next
production. Cash is then dumped in the middle of Carcer City, a run down
ghost down ruled by gang violence and murders.
Beyond the violence, language and more violence, Manhunt turns
out to be a pretty slick stealth game -- similar in concept to something
like Metal Gear Solid. Of course, I feel a little uneasy at
making that comparison since someone will buy it thinking the games are
similar theme-wise, but it's a fitting one nonetheless. You, as Cash,
wander the streets of Carcer City trying to avoid the hoods out to get
you. These thugs are out looking to kill you, which means you have to be
very careful not to attract attention. In addition, you also have to
kill them before they kill you. This is where the grisly elements of
Manhunt come into play. Unlike other stealth games, where your
weapons are the shadows and sometime a gun, Manhunt requires you
to use various objects from your surroundings as makeshift weapons.
These include things like plastic bags and glass shards. As you progress
through the game, you'll eventually acquire more standard weapons like
shotguns and bats. After sneaking up on people and using your weapon, a
target will appear and begin flashing. The longer you hold down the
attack button, the more brutal of a murder will take place. This is
where the game gets really hard to watch, and becomes its most
uncomfortable. The killings in the game are very disturbing and help the
game earn its M rating. White kills are quick deaths, while red ones are
just plain sick and hard to watch. I could go on -- but there's really
no reason to.
Mission layouts are laid out rather well, but usually revolve around the
'Survive' motif. This can get a little dull at times, but some variety
is thrown in to break up the monotony. For example, one mission has you
chasing a lunatic dressed in a bunny suit around a mental hospital. Once
you beat the game, there's not much offered in replay value. Depending
on the rankings you get for your kills, you can unlock bonus levels.
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Difficulty:
Manhunt has two settings -- Fetish and Hardcore. Both of these
settings are unforgiving if you're not careful. Regardless of which
setting you play on, the game has a pretty high learning curve which
requires you to take note of your surroundings as well as different gang
behaviors. For the most part, the game offers a nice challenge. The AI
is very good and very responsive to your actions. This isn't a game
where you can beat up one guy, while his buddy down the street (and a
little off screen) stands around. Much of the enemy reaction seems to be
based on sound -- so the quieter you are, the better your chances for
making it out of situations alive.
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Game Mechanics:
The gameplay in Manhunt is rather good, but doesn't push the
stealth concept any more that it already has (aside from the use of the
USB headset). The control setup is easy to use and works. The controls
are responsive and I didn't notice any real glitches when trying to
sneak. I was rather impressed with the amount of control the analog
stick afforded considering that it usually has a tendency to not work in
these situations. A majority of the game is spent pressed up against
walls and silently working your way around city streets. Just as in
other stealth games, Cash can pick up bottles, bricks and -- more
disturbingly -- a severed head to distract thugs. Another nice use of
the headset is that your voice plays a part in the game. If you sneak
behind someone and yell, they'll either be distracted or stunned. At the
same time though, if you're trying to sneak around and accidentally
sneeze, your cover will be blown. While Manhunt is more than
likely going to receive attention for its content, it is still a solid
title. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the stuff that goes
on in the game, Rockstar should get credit for managing to build a good
game to backup their edifice to all things illegal. Stealth fans should
have a fun time with the title; however the graphic nature is not for
everyone. Parents -- please, I implore you to NOT let your kids anywhere
near this game. No matter how much little Jeffy begs, pleads and
promises that he'll clean his room or be REALLY, REALLY good, this is
NOT a game he should even look at. I know there's usually a tendency to
say, 'Oh -- it's just a game', but trust me, this isn't for them. The
game is rated Mature for a reason. However, if your kids do manage to
get a hold of the game, it is not the fault of Rockstar and the game
industry as a whole. Blame the one who bought it or sold it.
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-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker |
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