Manhunt PlayStation 2
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 89
  3. Negative: 7 out of 89

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  1. KyleB.
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    Perhaps one of the best stealth games in the entire genre, implementing some of the most interesting aspects of the complex games such as splinter cell, while allowing us more freedom of choice, or perhaps a total lack there of. The great thing about this game is that we don't have to put up with slapstick character releationships, or those darn annoying female/male love intrests. The game puts fate of 20 other peoples in your hand, while allowing you the freedom of the roman arena in your controller. … Expand
  2. JamesA.
    Nov 27, 2003
    10
    This is just truly brilliant.
  3. DanielD.
    Nov 20, 2003
    10
    Rockstar Has Done it again !!!! This Game From the first screen has you locked in... the Graphics r great and the stroy line is to die for if you live GTA or GTA vice city this is one game you will have to add to your collection.
  4. JoeS.
    Jan 15, 2004
    10
    This game is mint.
  5. chadsdads
    Feb 1, 2004
    10
    chad why were u playing such games, why i oughtta... stab you with that butcher knife in our kitchen, you sick little shit, you need to be shot 100 times for playing this game i told u not to buy, and even if u were playing, why did u give it an "8" it shud have been a "10", u gay kid.
  6. Brandon
    Mar 1, 2004
    9
    Brilliant. Brilliant stealth. Brilliant shooting. Brilliant acting. Extremely violent, makes GTA:VC look like Barney and friends. Not much of a story, but the deaths are just fun to watch and make you jump and squeem. The shooting is awsome, a few shots and your dead...exactly how every shooting game should be. You hide, and shoot, repeat, seems repetative but very pulse pounding. Strategy is the key here. One of the greatest games I have ever played. Don't miss out on it. However, if you are below 15, do not buy this game, dont warp your mind to this.… Expand
  7. CoryP.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    Smash or trash time, and this game well deserves a perfect score. Sure there is better stealth games out there and better graphics and all that other special crap, but this game didn't need it to pull of a great experience. I love the fact that this game of very,very,very, few can pull off a well deserved mature rating ( I don't know how many other titles try to pull it off and fail to succeed). I am not a pyschopath, i know the difference between reality and virtual reality, but I believe there should be a sequel (pray to the almighty Rockstar) if not more games of its kind.... but again please let there be a sequel.… Expand
  8. Neil"FROG"W
    May 3, 2005
    10
    What other game allows you to creep up behind some thug and murder them with a plastic bag. I mean. whatelse in a game do you want? haha.. Ok, now that might sound a bit belistic! But when you want a game of this quality which gives you a thrill and rush at the same time. You have to buy it! This game isnt just about killing killing killing. well its a major part but its all mainly about staying alive! Go get it. anyway u can.… Expand
  9. TheClaw
    Nov 22, 2003
    10
    Gory atmospheric and the most violent game ever. very fun hiding and surviving highly disturbed but brilliant.
  10. Creamer
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    Awesome gameplay, an amazing storyline, and real time graphics make this a superb must buy for any gamer with a shred of sadisitic sense. We're looking at a game that stands out with GTA3 and Metal Gear Solid, yet still adds its own inovation to a needy consumer world. Rockstar has done it again, anyone that owns a PS2 deserves a peek, even if you only rent it. Bravo Manhunt. Bravo.
  11. MichaelG.
    Dec 6, 2003
    10
    Absolutely fantastic gameplay ok graphics good but there should have been a easier difficulty because it is kinda hard also the special move are friggin good as hell lots of gore gotta luv it.
  12. TonyL.
    Dec 8, 2003
    10
    Starts slow - just gets better and better and better and better. Then after 15 hours gameplay it ends - and you feel alone - and scared.
  13. BradyT.
    Jan 5, 2004
    10
    This game is grand. It is amazing how much atmosphere was put into this game and the grainy video tape feeling to make you feel scared when you start playing for the first time. This game wouldnt even have needed all of the violence to be scary, but , Im being honest here, anybody who plays through the first part of it and doesn't quit must say they get enjoyment from seeing the worst kill each item does. Its fun to see in a sick sort of way. Some of the parts amaze me how violent they are. For anyone who has gotten to that part ill say one word-- Wire. But, really if violence is not in this game it would be boring and unimportant. But , if there is only one thing thats important about this game it is, Rockstar is obviously trying to see how far over the line they can go without getting caught. Actually this is so violent that everyone taht complained about Grand theft Auto before, will have completely forgotten about it, and put manhunt on the top of their complaining list.… Expand
  14. AdrianR.
    Mar 11, 2004
    10
    This game is the best game i have played for years i think that the death are so realistic i thought that i was inside the game.P.s. Kill, Maim and Suffocate the F****rs
  15. AshL.
    Mar 12, 2004
    10
    This game is one of the best made to date its bloody and its tense all great quallities to make a good game p.s big ass supreamist bastards!! hunt them down and choke the f**kin life out of them!
  16. TomB.
    Mar 23, 2004
    9
    Manhunt is one hell of a gruesome game, its brilliant!
  17. MikeL.
    Apr 29, 2004
    10
    I got this game for the pc version and the graphics are wayyyyyyyy 10 times much better than on the ps2 or xbox...because my computer is on high quality, i got p4 3.2 and a awesome video card, radeon 9800 xt!!! 254 yeaaa babbay!!! clean graphics!! THIS GAME WAS OFF THE HOOK IT WAS ANOTHER INCREDIBLE GAME TO PLAY...i just like the gore...and it wasnt boring...never bored me...
  18. KyleBrown
    May 11, 2005
    10
    Alot of people complain about the simplicity of this game, although I found it to be a much needed release for the dazzling complexity of games such as Splinter Cell or Metal Gear. It throws the varying degrees of hidden in the shadows that you found in Splinter Cell. Where somehow you could find your self only Half hidden even though your unbelivibly well hidden in the shadow cast by a lamp post. Also the game dosent suffer from an annoying love interest such as Meryl, an annoying teenage daughter who seems to readily accept being held in some room with no windows in the CIA or other newly created Acronym from the world of tomorrow in Clancy land. The game has simple controls, simple plot that involves no incestous releationships or constant and predicitable plot twist. The games is a Black comedy and appeals our sadistic side with a charcter with abosolutely no redeeming what so ever, aside form his dashing looks and charming perosnality most people don't realize because of plastic bag on their head. Its simple is enertaining and offers what many games don't, Violence, evisceration and gobs of foul language.… Expand
  19. JoeM.
    Sep 18, 2007
    9
    An incredibly atmospheric, gritty and bold masterpiece that every mature gamer should consider experiencing.
  20. JoeReviewer
    Nov 10, 2003
    10
    Looks promising.
  21. JoeReviewer
    Nov 10, 2003
    10
    Looks promising.
  22. ZachM.
    Nov 15, 2003
    9
    This game looks thrilling. It looks like a cross between 2 movies, The Warriors and Surviving the Game. That right there makes me want to buy this game when it comes out!
  23. TomW.
    Nov 18, 2003
    10
    Cool! This game looks great!
  24. MarkC.
    Nov 19, 2003
    10
    This is the most intense game you will ever play. It's a brilliant concept that actually makes you feel as if you're being hunted in a snuff movie, like nothing I've ever played. Not for Kids, but for anyone over 18 it is well worth buying, becoause if you rent it you'll just scratch the surface - it's not easy.
  25. BrianL.
    Nov 24, 2003
    9
    I don't know why some people keep bashing this game. It is a solid stealth based game, and in my opinion is just as good as Splinter Cell as far as gameplay. The graphics are pretty good, and there is no slowdown that i have seen, which is probably why they don't look perfect. The character models are far better than those in Vice City, and they move much more fluidly. The gameplay is almost perfect, my only complaint is that the controls are a little difficult at first, but once you get used to them it isn't a problem. The enemies are smarter than those in the MGS series; they attack in groups when they see a dead body lying around, and respond to well to sound. The weapons are varied enough as well so the kills don't get repetitive, and the main character can hold types at any time. The sound is very good as well. Enemies make hilarious comments that are varied enough so it isn't repetitive, and there is brooding music that heightens when enemies are active. Guns are also used earlier than the middle of the game. You get a nail gun on the fourth level, and then two or three levels after that there are more available. There are two difficulty settings and secrets in the game too, such as extra levels. Anyone looking for a great stealth game and a good challenge should purchase this game.… Expand
  26. Kairow
    Dec 15, 2003
    9
    Why should you buy this game? Just to show the world an adult game can be well made and entertaining. GTA3 was fun, but this is scary.
  27. StuartK.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    This game... Well, It's just great. They took a game that is based on stealth and threw in a freaky plot, and twisted schemes.
  28. Zer0Maverick
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    Fun as hell. I just love to hack someones head off with a machete, so sue me.
  29. Zer0Maverick
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    Fun as hell. I just love to hack someones head off with a machete, so sue me.
  30. Tony
    Jun 18, 2005
    10
    This game could have been the most violent and distrubing game i have ever played but holy shit if it wasnt fun killing and watching the many kills in this game i love this game 10!
  31. EdB.
    Aug 12, 2005
    10
    Awesome. Game play is killer. You sneak around and snuff out a bunch of low life losers who want to snuff you out first. They truly make you feel like they had it coming. Bottom line: if you dont like this game then your a WHIMP! People that mention the violence please shut up... violence...blah blah..violence...blah grow up you conservative babies ITS A GAME ..its not real. Repeat after me ...its not real , its not real. Better? good now go see a psychologist and change your diper.… Expand
  32. MikeA.
    Nov 16, 2003
    10
    WOW! this game is absolutely incredible. I received this game early through a Rockstar promoton in Toronto, and they have outdone themselves once again. The most atmospheric and intense game you will ever play, cinematics are great, graphics top-notch, sound...oooh the sound is amazing and most important the gameplay ROCKS!!! buy this game and don't play another game in your life. BETTER THAN GTA!!! this game is the best game I ever played....I gotta go play some more!!!!… Expand
  33. MikeA.
    Nov 16, 2003
    10
    WOW! this game is absolutely incredible. I received this game early through a Rockstar promoton in Toronto, and they have outdone themselves once again. The most atmospheric and intense game you will ever play, cinematics are great, graphics top-notch, sound...oooh the sound is amazing and most important the gameplay ROCKS!!! buy this game and don't play another game in your life. BETTER THAN GTA!!! this game is the best game I ever played....I gotta go play some more!!!!… Expand
  34. CantsayW.
    Nov 17, 2003
    10
    This game is awesome, a bit gruesome, but awsome. the gore is a bit extreme to see at first but after getting used to it, this game is all you'll be wanting to play!
  35. PopularD.
    Dec 13, 2003
    10
    This has to be the best game so far. The story is superb, the graphics arent the best, but to tell you the truth, they fit in perfectly. controls are easy and the ending...well you can find out for yourself. A definite buy, but also one for the adults.
  36. KyleK.
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    This game is a bloodthirsty wicked fun gruesome game. The hunters are heaps funny, controls easy and the graphics can't be excellent because they aren't going to get a crow bar through someone's neck perfect. Wicked game, not scary, just fun.
  37. R.K.
    Dec 29, 2003
    10
    This game is great. A lot of weapons, very blooded.
  38. Azel
    Jan 15, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You are put into the shoes of convicted criminal James Cash. Sentenced to death (for a crime that is unknown to the player), his execution is staged, and rather than being put to death, he is simply given a sedative, and then abducted. Thus, he ends up in the clutches of a sick snuff film director, who intends to use James in his latest movie. Left in an abandoned part of city, with paid gangs hunting him down, James has no choice but to listen to his instructions given to him through an ear piece. He must survive by killing those that are hunting him, and remain hidden, whilst the director catches it all on film.

    Throughout the game, the whole point is to remain hidden from the gangs hunting you down, and then either creep past them without them seeing you, distract them, or creep up behind them and kill them. If you walk, rather than run, your footsteps are too quiet for the hunters to hear. If you run, they will hear you and investigate, similarly, if you bump into a trash can or walk on a noisy surface, then they will hear. The game is set at night, and so there are lots of dark shadowy areas to hide in. Once you are completely within a shadow, hunters will not be able to see you.

    The game is split up into scenes, and each scene involves a particular gang of hunters. Each of them has their own kind of dress code and way of speaking. You start off against The Hoods, who are basically just thugs in balaclavas. You later face a gang of racist skin heads, some lunatics, some ex-army nutcases and so on. Each gang uses different weapons, starting unarmed, then gradually getting more dangerous with knives, bats, and eventually guns.

    The hunters will actively search for you. They do not follow set paths as they look for you, unlike other stealth games. Some hunters in the game are reluctant to leave a certain post that they are defending, but 99% of the time, hunters will look anywhere for you. This means that you constantly have to be careful about what you're doing, and where you are.

    If a hunter is at long distance, and he catches a glimpse of you, he will just walk over and examine the area, he won't know that it's you instantly. Similarly, if you make a slight noise, he will check it out. If you are close by and he sees you, he will recognise you and chase you, and call any of his partners nearby. With this in mind, the best thing to do is wait in shadows, or out of sight, and wait for opportunities to strike, or to creep past. By tapping walls with your hand, you can lure hunters to your position, and then creep away, leaving them where you were. This becomes a basic tactic that you will continually use in order to get past hunters, or to lure them in to kill them.

    Once a hunter has been alerted and is chasing you, he will run as fast as he can, and so you must run away. You can decide to fight hunters face-to-face, but you will normally get defeated if they gang up, which they normally do. The best thing to do is to try and lose them. If you just run straight ahead down an alleyway or corridor, you will never lose them because they will be able to see you. You have to break the line of sight, by taking a corner. After you do this, the hunter will run to the junction or corner, and turn in the direction that he saw you take. But if by then you're hidden somewhere, he won't know where you went, so he will stop and search. Depending on what gang you are against, they will search for longer periods of time, and they can run faster and have a higher state of alert and awareness.

    Whilst you could try to get through the game by avoiding the hunters, your best bet is to try and take them down if they're in the way of progress. The best way to do this is by using stealth kills. The way this works is by targetting a hunter from behind, when they are unaware of you, then getting in range and then holding down the kill button. Then, when you release the kill button, James will perform the stealth kill, which the hunter cannot escape from. You must use a weapon in order to perform a stealth kill, James can't do it with his bare hands.

    Each weapon has three kills. While you hold down the kill button, the target around the hunter's head will turn from white to yellow to red. Thus, there are three levels of execution. The level 1 (white) executions tend to be instant kills, level 2 (yellow) involves a more brutal killing, and level 3 (red) will have James trying to inflict as much pain as he can whilst executing the hunter. The purpose of this is to satisfy the director, who insists that James makes his movie as brutal as he can. Ultimately, however, it is up to the player how James deals with the hunters, and you can choose to punish the hunters with level 3 executions if you feel like it; it allows you to vent your frustration especially if the hunter is badmouthing you, or has been difficult to stalk. On the other hand, you can give the hunters a break and kill them instantly    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 47 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 47
  3. Negative: 4 out of 47
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    An engrossing thrill ride. [19 Dec 2003, p.L2T 20]
  2. eToychest
    80
    It is incredibly easy to screw up and get killed in this game, which sometimes forces you to repeat lengthy and difficult sections of each level. Thankfully, there are mid-stage save points that allow you to restart there instead of at the beginning of the level.
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  3. GameZone
    83
    The controls are responsive and worked well, both for the sneaking around aspect and the heads up melee fighting if you happen to get spotted.
    Read full review
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