Manhunt (PC)

You're forced to sneak around a series of maze-like levels killing "hunters" and SWAT-team members as you go, using such unsavoury methods as suffocating them with plastic bags and cutting their throats with shards of glass. This is primarily a stealth-based title, using many of the same techniques as Metal Gear Solid--you shuffle around walls, peer round corners and use noise to attract and distract the enemy.

This aspect of the game works extremely well thanks to the superb graphics and sound. These create an intense level of tension, so that when you mistakenly knock into an abandoned shopping trolley and alert a hunter, it's really quite terrifying. The combat, just as in GTA, is handled rather less well--but it's not anywhere bad enough to ruin the whole game.

In gameplay terms the only real fault with Manhunt is a lack of variety, with the game seemingly running out of new ideas well before the end. The true problem then is whether it's simply too depraved--but that's a decision you must make for yourself. It's definitely not for under-18s, though. --David Jenkins

I found Manhunt a game that you dip into for maybe 20 minutes at a time because it is just so incredibly repetitive however if you are going to find the 'jokes' in it amusing then you will play for longer. I will give it 3/5 for the control system, the initial half an hour play and getting kids the world over to play a stealth puzzler, but it really is just too repetitive to warrant a higher rating. I'd suggest that you buy any of the Hitman series instead, the gameplay is in principle very similar (although the violence is much more toned down) and Hitman has lots of other good features that Manhunt simply doesn't.


Best stealth/action game ever!   July 10, 2005
Emiliano Scavante (Italy)
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

This for me, was the best stealth action game ever! MANHUNT, has a great story in which, the gamer its involved in the character James Earl Cash. The game's graphic looks better on the PC version than the other consoles (PS2, Xbox). Unfortunately, the PC version hasnt got the Headset functionality as the PS2 have. The game is freakin awesome and, for some people can be also boring or frustrating, that depends on how you caught up the story. I can guarantee you that, once you play the game, you will leave breathless by the hurry to see who did all of this to James Earl Cash. As you might see, the game its 18+ rated due to the high-amount of violence and, was also banned due to a stupid worthless question of an english mother that said that MANHUNT was the reason of the killing of her son. THAT'S NOT TRUE! I already finished MANHUNT 3 times and, it never drove me to kill someone cuz, i see a game for what is it. The problem is that, that 17 year old boy who killed his friend of 14 Pakeerah, had serious mental issues in distinguing a game and reality. He only own a copy of the game and he killed his friend. How many times we hear on TV about homicides? so, MANHUNT ISN'T THE REASON OF THE KILLING OF PAKEERAH'S SON. The problem is that we live in a sick society and, government always found scapegoats for their problems. Rockstar only made their work in creating a game. And there's not only MANHUNT as violent game, there are plenty of violent game out there and no one ever cares about it. SO, PEOPLE STOP BLAME MANHUNT AND SEE A GAME FOR WHAT IS IT! anyway, if you ever played games like Syphon Filter, Metal Gear Solid or other action-stealth games, you will love MANHUNT! so, go ahead and get a copy while you can.


Survival horror at its best!   February 5, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

ManHunt is an action filled, gritty urban game. It contains many of the elements seen in games like Hitman, Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil. The stages or scenes are dark, gritty and textured to look like CCTV footage, especially seen when you execute the hunters. It is highly atmospheric and tense throughout, effects like always hearing the sound of your characters heartbeat and a real sense of realism. The only downside is the repetition which starts to dog the game as you progress. However this isn't too much of a problem if you like your'e games dark and violent.
Overall this is game is for someone who doesn't have the patience for Hitman, is bored of Resident Evil and is looking for a change in the survival horror genre.
Enjoy!


Missed opportunity   January 6, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Nice idea, but falls down in a few places. The whole of the first few levels of this game are entirely stealth based. You sneak around hiding in shadows, making the occasional bit of noise to atract an enemy, then you execute him when his back is turned. You are given new weapons along the way in an attempt to stop the game becoming tedious by allowing you to see new tyes of execution. Unfortunately it still becomes tedious until the shooting starts about 7 levels in.

The bit where you first have to involve yourself in firefights is extreamly fustrating, not least because the manual does not explain the "firefight" system, which means you'll either get massacred or run out of ammo very fast. Once you know how the system works it's actually quite good as it automatically allows you to pop out, fire, and then duck back behind cover with ease. You still tend to take damage though unless you're lucky. Unfortunately towards the end of the game (last 2 levels in particular) it becomes very fustrating as the firefight system is rather erratic. It doesn't always aim correctly which can result in you being killed quite easily if you don't manage to kill a guy with an assault rifle on the first shot. Also if you are hiding in a shadow and you wait for an enemy to come right up close it has a rather idiotic habbit of hitting the enemy with your gun rather than firing it, which also tends to result in you getting killed. This has happened to me a 2 key points when I was playing a section for ages, which resulted in me wishing to practice some of these execution techniques on the idiot who wrote that particular peice of code.

The AI is definately a bit weak. Some of the enemys act like morons and others like tactical geniuses, with no steady progression as the game goes on. The storyline is interesting, the graphics and sound are outstanding, as is the excellent atmosphere created by the game, but ultimately the game itself is just a bit too fustrating.