Manhunt 2

"Painfully average"

I really didn't like the original manhunt but to be fair I barely played it. I did watch a friend go through it and it seemed slightly challenging. I did have some interest in this game when I found out you could perform sweet moves using the Wii's controls so I was at least sold on a rental. Boy was I glad I only rented this one.

You're a person in a medical facility of some sort. A breakout happens, you get out and you're following a man. The plot gets more advanced but to tell you more but ruin the games mediocre and clichéd plot twist. Hey, it might have been original 5 years ago but now it's just a tired trend.

Graphically the game is barely on par with titles released 3 years ago on the PS2. The textures are murky and the character models, while shaped correctly move awkwardly. Not only that but the locations are boring and the gruesome deaths have been edited down by a screen blur which causes so many issues with actually playing the game that it becomes annoying.

The sound in the game did absolutely nothing for me. Voice work was bland and felt very off at times do to either it not fitting the character or just bad sound quality. I really don't remember any music in the game. The sound effects are decent. Footsteps on different surfaces and each weapon making its own sickening sound as it makes contact.

The Wii controls are nothing like I expected them to be. You move around using the analog stick. A lets you initiate the attacks. Now for the attacks themselves you'll need to saw sideways or gyrate up and down. Very simple motions that appear at the top of the screen. It's rather boring actually and gets a bit tedious after awhile. Not only that but sometimes the A button trigger never happens and then you end up running into the enemy and having to run and hide somewhere.

The idea of Man Hunt 2 is pretty much the same as the original. Run along linear levels and kill the enemies to make it to the next area.

It's fairly simple and the AI seems to have been tweaked a little. Now if you're seen you can hide but they will sometimes notice you in the dark. Not really sure but they can do that.

So the idea is to lure one away from a group, kill them from behind and hide the body. Then just continue along until it's over.

I just don't see the fun factor in that. It's not like the plot is interesting like the first title and it's not like the Wii controls add a whole new dimension to the game.

To be honest the game is also a lot easier than the first game. The AI may have some new tricks but it only works in theory as they still do dumb stuff and die quickly. They also don't really respond well t each other so I don't. Know.

The game itself is thankfully short so it's easy to complete in a rental. The game offers a bonus mission and I think that's it. It just doesn't have a lot to offer.

Personally I say rent this game but I think most fans of the original will be let down. Not only that the Wii controls aren't as good as one would have happened and the censored content, while not bad, it just causes the game to be hard to play at times due to the blur effects. Rent if you're that interested, otherwise I say give this game a pass.

Story - 5/10
Graphics - 6/10
Sound - 6/10
Control - 7/10
Game Play - 5/10
Replay Value - 3/10

Final Score - 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 12/21/07

Game Release: Manhunt 2 (US, 10/29/07)