Manhunt

by Rockstar Games

Product Features

• You are James Earl Cash, a killer sentenced to death row. On the night of your execution, you are taken away by a mysterious director named Starkweather. You're now the star of a brutal TV show. Dropped off in a city of psychopaths, where everyone is after him, Cash has one night to fight his way out of the city. Kill or be killed.
• Panic-inducing 3rd-person action rewards stealth over fighting. Use shadows to your advantage, find Safe Zones and hide out there - waiting & planning the perfect murder
• Use whatever you can find to kill the men after you -- the bloodier, the better. Cameras are everywhere & Starkweather wants to see blood. lots of it.
• The levels get tougher & tougher, and so should you -- use crowbars, bats, machetes, guns and lots of stealth to kill your way home
• Study the enemy's movements and lure them into traps -- but be careful, they get smarter as you play. Eventually they'll start setting traps for you.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001JXQ5Q
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: April 20, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,799 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Manhunt is grim, nihilistic, sickeningly violent, and far past any idea of "decency" that might still be left in video games. It also happens to be one of the bravest works of game creation I've ever played.

People will call the violence "dehumanizing," but I've never felt more like a human being in a game than when I was playing Manhunt. As James Earl Cash, you're hunted by roving gangs, forced to fight for your life with crude weapons like crowbars and machetes – all the while being taped for the mysterious Director (chillingly voiced by actor Brian Cox). Possessing no superhuman strength, you must carefully progress through the level, using audible distractions and the cover of darkness to kill your foes in myriad gruesome ways. Outnumbered and outgunned, you'll feel a gripping sense of fear, one much more real than the cheap zombie thrills of games like Resident Evil.

Manhunt is controversial to be sure, but don't let that distract you from the fact that this is a finely crafted title – its stealth gameplay is very refined, especially in the way its enemy AI reacts to sound and light. Some might find it too slow and deliberate, but I appreciated the way the developers use the pacing to create an almost overwhelming sense of tension. I also applaud the way that Rockstar North forces us to confront video games' obsession with violence head-on, stripping it of the usual sci-fi and fantasy trappings. It's easy to say, "How could they make a game like this?" The harder question is: "How could I enjoy playing it?"

Concept:
A great stealth title that features the most graphic violence ever seen in a video game

Graphics:
This Xbox port sees improved texturing and more refined character models

Sound:
Truly excellent – a masterpiece of chilling sound design

Playability:
The easy controls allow you to fully concentrate on strategizing your survival

Entertainment:
Far from the violent novelty that many would have you believe, Manhunt is brave and original

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
Much like a puppeteer operating a marionette, Manhunt tugs at your emotions and will leave you a jumbled mess at the end of your gaming session. Anxiety, uncertainty, fear, relief – you'll know these feelings well by the time the credits roll. Whether you find yourself holding your breath as an enemy hunts you down or praying that an unsuspecting foe doesn't turn around before you can wrap the plastic bag around his head, Manhunt will surely have you on the edge of your seat with its amazing gameplay and dark atmosphere. Rockstar also did a phenomenal job of changing up the gameplay and throwing curve balls at the player just when it seems that action is going to get repetitive. The content may be controversial, but believe me when I say that this is one hell of a play that you do not want to miss.

Rated: 9.25 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner


Subscribe to Game Informer

Product Description

Manhunt highlights the sick and gruesome world of cold-blooded murderers. It's an intense, violent gaming experience, capturing the dark side of humanity more accurately than any game before. NOTE - This game has accurate & realistic depictions of violence and murder. It is not recommended for sensitive or younger game players.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Running Man...hunt, May 5, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manhunt (Video Game)

Manhunt possibly the most dark and violent game yet...very easily..here's the deal you're James Earl Cash an ex Deathrow convict re-awakened after a false execution of sorts by the mysterious DIRECTOR "Starkweather".....you awaken in your cell to the voice of the director telling you your not dead and you thus enter his sick game of HIDE AND SEEK...you start off in an alley way somewhat beaten up and barely concious to what's going on taking orders from the DIRECTOR through an earpiece you found in the cell....thus the killing begins...you're being stalked by guys called "HUNTERS" usally gang members,twisted psychos with masks,cops, ex-military personell, and swat members...all of which have their own trademark style of hunting and intelligence in which they stalk you....as James Earl Cash you must rely heavily on stealth to make it through this game...taking to the shadows and leaping out whenever you feel the time is right...but be careful not to make too much noise or you're alert the hunters to your presence and it's pretty much run or be made into hamburger.....there's about 20 levels in this game....each level get's harder up until the last few where the game gets downright insane.....and lastly pitting you up with a deranged pigman named Piggsy who will tear you apart in seconds if you don't aproach him right...Manhunt is a fun and challenging game another Rockstar hit or miss...may be too graphic for some...but for those who can stomach bloodlet...your stupid to miss out on this sickly likeness to the Schwarzegger movie "The Running Man"....pick this up if you like any of Rockstar's previous games..it's not GTA..but it works. :) Oh and get the headset for this game it makes the whole experience that much better being able to yell at the Hunters instead of beating on things to draw their attention.....good game..get it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings out the Jason in you!, September 12, 2005

By 

Graboidz (Westminster, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Manhunt (Video Game)

Manhunt is one of the best games I have played since the original Resident Evil game on PS1. I am sure this game tops the list of every Parental Watchdog groups list of games to be avoided. It is ultra-violent with no redeeming social value of any kind, has absolutely no educational value, in short Manhunt is everything that I love about video games. I wanted to wait until I finished the game before reviewing it, as it's easy to tell that some of the reviews below are from folks who played a couple levels and then gave up. Sure, the gameplay may be a little repetitive, and if you want a fast paced, shoot-em' up, Manhunt may not be the game for you. But if you are up for being outgunned, out numbered, being hunted and stalked by a wide variety of sickos through multiple creepy levels, if you like the idea of creeping around, slicing and slashing your way through deserted ubran areas that are designed to give you nightmares, then Manhunt is the game for you. Sure, there may be some flaws to the game here and there, and you obviously have to suspend belief while playing, but this is one fun game that should give you hours of entertainment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depths of Madness, February 22, 2005

By 

Bryan M. MCNEELY (Fort Wayne, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Manhunt (Video Game)

Simply put, if you are disturbed by high levels of violence, crude humor and severe adult dialogue, don't bother picking this one up.

Behind it all lies an intense game filled with edge-of-your-seat thrills and action. Action in a stealth game? Yeah, believe it or not.

Because of how careful you must be to not alert your foes, this may be one of the scariest games ever. While Splinter Cell is more sophisticated, this is pure urban madness. To stalk the city with all eyes looking for you is unnerving. To stand in the shadows as a dubious fellow walks by only a couple feet away sets all nerves a' blaze.

Some levels may take quite a long time to finish simply because you must...MUST...figure out the best way to eliminate (or possibly avoid) your enemies. Otherwise, you will wind up dead as a result of a stampede of racist thugs, lunatic weirdos or grizzled militants beating you to a pulp.

The language, imagery and the chill you get from the director speaking in your ear only adds to this marvelous trek into the human psyche. Enjoy yourself as you kill...or be killed.