Manhunt 2 denied UK release!

[blagmasterg]

Not me - although I never actually cared in the first place. I thought the first one was a substandard pile of cack which sold more on the strength of controversy than any quality, and I didn't really see anything different about the sequel. Even GamesTM, who had been really looking forward to it only gave it a 6 as in just above average.

Then again I am aware that I may well be in a minority in these here parts, and I must emphasise that I am just expressing an opinion, rather than seeking to convince anyone that I am stating facts.

[Richman]

Does it still have "realistic murder actions" on the Wii version?

Might pick it up...

[Satan's Therapist]

Got it for the psp a while ago and although its very crude I did enjoy, temped by being able to pull the moves off with the wii remote though but will wait to see how it gets reviewed on the wii specifically.

[blagmasterg]

Got it for the psp a while ago and although its very crude I did enjoy, temped by being able to pull the moves off with the wii remote though but will wait to see how it gets reviewed on the wii specifically.

Gamestm revied it on the wii and gave it a 6/10 can't remember the issue number (but Mike probably knows) but it was around the same time that the ban was first confirmed

[DustD]

Not me - although I never actually cared in the first place. I thought the first one was a substandard pile of cack which sold more on the strength of controversy than any quality, and I didn't really see anything different about the sequel. Even GamesTM, who had been really looking forward to it only gave it a 6 as in just above average.

Then again I am aware that I may well be in a minority in these here parts, and I must emphasise that I am just expressing an opinion, rather than seeking to convince anyone that I am stating facts.

Personally I thought the original Manhunt was underrated. There were flaws (like being able to remain undetected if you stood in a shadow, even if an enemy was looking right at you), but on the whole I thought it was graphically good, decent combat, well thought out level design and a reasonable plot.

I have some truly memorable gaming memories from this, in particuar when 'Piggsy' jumped out from behind me with a chainsaw...

Many people got caught up in their own media influenced opinions that the game was too violent. My own opinion is so what if it was?

I think to accuse the game of glorifying violence is horribly shortsighted. If anything its the opposite. The main character spends the entire game trying to uncover the devious man from behind the gameshow and on the way he dispatches deranged psychopaths and Nazi's - not orphans or Girl Guides! Whats peoples problem with that? People do die in graphic ways but, the game is an 18 and certainly nothing worse than what you would see in an 18 rated movie.

Its awful that the sequel has been refused release here. The BBFC haven't got a clue.

[Superbeasto]

Not me - although I never actually cared in the first place. I thought the first one was a substandard pile of cack which sold more on the strength of controversy than any quality, and I didn't really see anything different about the sequel. Even GamesTM, who had been really looking forward to it only gave it a 6 as in just above average.

Then again I am aware that I may well be in a minority in these here parts, and I must emphasise that I am just expressing an opinion, rather than seeking to convince anyone that I am stating facts.

Personally I thought the original Manhunt was underrated. There were flaws (like being able to remain undetected if you stood in a shadow, even if an enemy was looking right at you), but on the whole I thought it was graphically good, decent combat, well thought out level design and a reasonable plot.

I have some truly memorable gaming memories from this, in particuar when 'Piggsy' jumped out from behind me with a chainsaw...

Many people got caught up in their own media influenced opinions that the game was too violent. My own opinion is so what if it was?

I think to accuse the game of glorifying violence is horribly shortsighted. If anything its the opposite. The main character spends the entire game trying to uncover the devious man from behind the gameshow and on the way he dispatches deranged psychopaths and Nazi's - not orphans or Girl Guides! Whats peoples problem with that? People do die in graphic ways but, the game is an 18 and certainly nothing worse than what you would see in an 18 rated movie.

Its awful that the sequel has been refused release here. The BBFC haven't got a clue.

Have to agree with you there, Manhunt had a slightly queasy atmosphere about it, and was a little unsettling, but it wasnt any more violent than your average horror movie, and morally I don't think it was anywhere near as reprehensible as some people make out. You're forced to kill scumbags and psychos for your own survival, morally its the same position heroes have been put in for years in movies, games and comics. I vividly remember quite early in the game feeling a teeny bit unsure how I felt about, until my prey started talking and I realised I was up against a gang of white supremacists. All moral questions went out the window there.

[giacomo]

I think it probably comes down to the fact that in a film you watch the violence, whereas videogames take it very much to the next level by making you personally commit it.

[blagmasterg]

Don't get me wrong - I'm not just spouting off an uninformed opinion, I did actually attept to play the first one but I just found it dull. Controls were clunky, atmosphere felt forced and the combat was boring. Then again, I did only give it about 5 mins before giving up, so maybe if I gave it another chance I'd like it. I just can't be arsed.

Once again, I would like to point out that this is my opinion, not me trying to convert anyone or tell them 'the way it is'. Everyone likes eomething different and I just happened not to like this.

[rumblecat]

I loved the first one but the sequel is pretty poor. Without 'The Director' you lose that same level of intensity and the bad guys are woefully underpowered, so getting caught isn't such a big deal anymore. Especially as after a third of the game you these ridiculously effective guns which basically remove the point of stealth and turn it into an average 3rd person shooter. First one though is still one of my favourite games of the last gen, loved the atmopshere, the music, the black humour and the tense gameplay. Some of the levels still stand out- the shopping mall, the zoo, escorting the drunk, chasing the rabbit...

That Manhunt 2 is pretty average is a real shame, as it could have been so much better. First four levels are great though, but it's the bizarre decision to drop stealth and hiding for normal gun combat which ruins it- the first game did something similar but much much later on, and it felt more like a smart change in gameplay. The sequel just doesn't have the same twisted level design- without someone trying to control you and force you to play their game, it becomes a lot more ordinary.

[DustD]

That Manhunt 2 is pretty average is a real shame, as it could have been so much better. First four levels are great though, but it's the bizarre decision to drop stealth and hiding for normal gun combat which ruins it- the first game did something similar but much much later on, and it felt more like a smart change in gameplay. The sequel just doesn't have the same twisted level design- without someone trying to control you and force you to play their game, it becomes a lot more ordinary.

Thats a shame. I suspect that one of the reasons for the drop in its 'twistedness' (I realise thats probably not a word...) is the pressure from the various ratings boards to soften it up.

The real issue here though is those uneducated 'nannys' at the BBFC and the moronic tabloid press who have decided in their wisdom that even a fully grown adult shouldn't be allowed to purchase a game they consider to be sick and perverse.

A rating goes on the box, just like a flim. People over the age rating can buy it. People under the age rating can't. If a kid ends up playing Manhunt or something then thats the failing of either the place of purchase or the parents - just like if a kid is caught drinking or smoking.

Why must I be denied my adult freedoms to protect little Timmy from half-arsed shopkeepers or parents?

[rumblecat]

At least it's been cleared for release now, I agree the whole ratings thing was a fiasco- still, in three weeks times you can be happily jabbing people in the eye with a syringe if you want It is a strange one to pick one though because it's a lot less disturbing and violent than the first game, and nowhere near as brutal as something like Condemned 2.

I'm guessing that the change in gameplay and, um, twistedness is less to do with the ratings board though and more to do with it's troubled development history. R* North made the original game but the sequel was given to the R* Vienna, but the studio was then closed down with the game was unfinished- and development was transferred over to R* London who completed it and apparently re-worked some of the earlier stuff. I think the first game had a pretty clear idea of what it was, while the second one is a bit more confused and never really plays to it's strengths. The first four levels are great- lots of creeping round and trying to isolate enemies so you can pick them off- but then it just goes a bit tits up. Only played it on the PSP though so I'll probably pick it up again for the PS2...

[Kingcrimsonprog]

This is out in a few days now. Anyone going to pick it up or has the interest long since died ?

[rumblecat]

I'll get the PS2 version. I played it through on the US PSP version but I quite fancy seeing it on the big screen. Not a classic, but the first four levels are pretty good.

[ScotsWahey]

To everyone that doesn't care that this game could have been banned. You're morons. The fact that it may or may not be a crap game isn't the point. The point is that no game should be banned. An 18 sticker is all you need and a blurb on the back explaining what the game is about. If you can't make a decision about whether or not the game is suitable for you or the person you're buying it for then you're a simpleton.

[Satan's Therapist]

To everyone that doesn't care that this game could have been banned. You're morons. The fact that it may or may not be a crap game isn't the point. The point is that no game should be banned. An 18 sticker is all you need and a blurb on the back explaining what the game is about. If you can't make a decision about whether or not the game is suitable for you or the person you're buying it for then you're a simpleton.

With you 100% on that.