Video game reviews: Manhunt (PS2)
I remembered the hype and attention of Rockstar Games’ “Manhunt” received upon its release. As a person that could use a form of stress relief, I was very attracted to the theme of Manhunt. While it was from the makers of “Grand Theft Auto,” Manhunt by no means played like the game. You could not go around randomly shooting at people. If you look at the game play carefully enough, it seems to be some warped version of “Metal Gear Solid.” Despite the violence factor, Manhunt does require players to critically think and react.
If you do not think carefully, the computer A.I. controlled enemies will beat ever living snot out of you. Plus, they would probably mutilate your corpse.
When you think about it, this gives players the proper motivation to think critically. You have to treat the game as if you were playing Metal Gear Solid and “Hitman.” Technically, you have the skills of a military operative and a hitman. The main character is James Earl Cash, who is supposed to be on death row. However, he gets rescued by a man named Starkweather who is creating a real Reality TV show with Cash as the “star.”
The game is split up into a bunch of levels in which Cash has to survive. But, there is opposition from thugs and gangs that want nothing more to take Cash’s head. Cash has several methods of killing them. He can kill them in the direct way. However, you will not get style points.
In order to get style points, you have to sneak up from behind and kill them. The longer you wait the kill will be far more violent and suspenseful. There are items in which you can use to kill your enemies. There are different types of weapons at your disposal. The lowest tier of weapons would be the ones that are disposable. They disappear after one-time use. Such examples include a paper bag and a glass shard. You can suffocate your enemy from behind with the paper bag. You can impale your opponent’s skull or slit the throat with the glass shard.
Later in the game, you get access to more devastating weapons which have unlimited uses. You can get a machete and decapitate your victim.
You can use the severed head as bait to get your enemies riled up. While they are distracted, you can sneak up and go for the cinematic kill. Despite the violence, there is quite the interesting storyline present in Manhunt.
There are elements of stealth tactical action present in the game. You have to use the environment to your advantage to distract enemies. You have to use the darkness and walls to your advantage. Depending on the enemies, they may leave your alone if you run.
There are enemies that will constantly chase after you. In the first few levels, you could possibly get away with doing the simple frontal approach.
However, the enemies become harder as you progress through the game. The enemies will be replaced by more intelligent enemies. One example would be the War Dogs, which is made up of former military and hunters. They use military tactics to hunt down Cash. If you make it near the end, you have to fight against Pigsy. Pigsy is the most terrifying of all the enemies as he wears a pig’s head as a mask and totes around a chainsaw. You have to survive against Pigsy until you get to a certain point of the stage.
The game play is more than enough to get your adrenaline pumping. The enemies can pop up at any given moment. If they see you, they will hunt you down. If you look past the violence and bloodshed, you will see that Manhunt is a game that requires a whole lot of critical thinking and reaction.
However, it is not necessarily a game that is appropriate for children.
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