In order for Manhunt 2 to steer clear of an AO rating, the execution sequences were moderately censored with a visual filter, which can be a bit annoying but you definitely get the idea about what’s happening. Not only are the traditional executions a bit more creative, but you can now perform executions with firearms and even the environment i.e. Luckily though, the trademark ‘execution’ system has undergone a bit of a jazzing up. Instead, Daniel Lamb must rely on stealth to keep out of sight, but when the coast is clear, you can sneak up on the enemy and ‘execute’ them in one of three different ways with an array of guns and makeshift weapons. Your character is a scientist, and therefore has no combat experience. The idea is to progress through the level towards the objective, viciously slaughtering any of the freaky villains that get in your way. The gameplay in Manhunt 2 remains largely the same as its predecessor, which isn’t exactly a bad thing, but there are some welcome additions. I don’t want to dwell too much on the storyline, as it is all about bite size plot progressions that would be spoilers if detailed. Oh, and the main character actually speaks. Unlike the original game, a more cinematic plot that wouldn’t be out of place in a psychological thriller drives Manhunt 2. Together, they hunt for the truth of what exactly happened to them, whilst being hunted through their adventure by vicious employees of the ‘Pickman Project’. From here, he is guided out of the institute by a mysterious character called Leo Kasper. The game begins with our unexpectedly bespectacled hero giving a white-coated woman a thorough strangling as he wakes up confused in a cell within an institute for the criminally insane. The protagonist this time around is a rather unfortunate researcher who goes by the name of Daniel (or Danny) Lamb. The result is a good sequel that fans of the original will like, but it fails to replicate the suspense and grit of it’s predecessor.
Unfortunately, its currently caused more problems than it was worth, with its release being blocked and delayed for ages before finally being heavily censored to ensure its presence on store shelves.
The fuss and buzz has all but dissipated now, but that didn’t stop Rockstar from announcing a sequel. The curious public lined up at stores to see what the fuss was about. It was branded “filth” and appalled parents the world over because of its explicitly violent content. Suspicions of Manhunt being linked to a murder resulted in its prohibition in a number of countries. Then, all of a sudden, the media launched a full-scale attack.
It was released on the PS2 in November 2003 to generally favourable reviews… things were going well. Way back in 2003, a certain game, from a certain well known and infamous British publisher was released on the unsuspecting masses.