Manhunt 2

PSM3 Magazine UK

There's more to this than controversy. Intelligent, demanding brains, patience...and a strong stomach. [Sept 2007, p.76]

Play UK

Manhunt 2 offers heaps of grisly and depraved action, and we would have heartily recommended it to fans of the franchise. [Issue#155, p.76]

Playstation Official Magazine UK

If you're a horror geek, you'll have seen worse. But you won't often have seen much better. [Christmas 2008, p.98]

3DJuegos

Manhunt 2, rather hesitant in delivering its ulterior motif, is monstrously violent, extremely gory and smashingly bold when it comes to moral values. Suffering from procrastination along with other external factors, it manages to come to the spot and attract our attention, with much to yearn technically. Yet in terms of controversy, as the game intended when it started, success is the word. It is, so far, one of the most violent game in PS2 lines.

Game Informer

For those of us that loved the original, Manhunt 2 is a trip that’s worth taking, even if it’s not nearly as memorable or enjoyable. While I applaud the series for it’s uncompromising take on morality and violence, it’s hard not to notice that recent titles like "Mass Effect" and "BioShock" have covered similar territory in a more mature – and much more enjoyable – fashion.

GameSpot

It's not as shocking as you'd expect, but Manhunt 2 still satisfies your primal instincts.

GameZone

While it’s not as utterly disturbing as it was meant to be, Manhunt 2 is a gritty sequel that is still shockingly ultra violent but in a surprisingly good way.

IGN

The AI doesn't feel as good as the first game, the setting and environments don't feel as menacing, and the story is definitely weaker. That isn't to say that Manhunt 2 isn't a good game, because it is.

MEGamers

A decent experience not too different from the original, but neither as good, nor as fun as the original Manhunt was.

Gamer 2.0

Manhunt 2, though not as original and challenging as its predecessor, is a worthy sequel but not necessarily a must-buy. It’s certainly worth renting, and rental period is sufficient enough to beat the game’s 8 to 9 hour campaign.

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

Story aside, however, Manhunt 2 is an important game--not because of the controversy surrounding it, but because it is one of the final few original PS2 games. [Holiday 2007, p.81]

Games Radar (in-house)

It's hardly the pinnacle of stealth games - the enemies are dumb, and there's not much to do aside from sneaking and killing - but if you're in the mood for something creepy and horrific that'll leave you feeling a little dirty, Manhunt 2's still-shocking murders and eerie, is-it-real-or-am-I-just-insane storyline won't disappoint.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Highly stylised, dark and immersive, Manhunt 2 is a study in brutality, depravity and the spiralling descent into madness. In terms of content, it’s no worse than the original, but it’s not really any better, either.

Meristation

Manhunt 2 has suffered many delays and lots of problems before release, but it´s finally here. A game that is not suitable for everyone, due to its gore and violent nature, but it has some charm for those PS2 users who are looking for something fun for their machine. Sadly, a confusing story and some problems like close combat controls make it not as good as it could have been. The lack of the Wii motion controls makes it a less compelling experience.

Cheat Code Central

It all comes down to the basic fact that a work of art, created specifically for a mature audience, should not have been forced to compromise the way that this game has been. Gamers who have been waiting a long time for this game to come out, or even just gamers in general, should definitely stay far away from Manhunt 2. While it is definitely not the worst game I have ever played, it is definitely one of the biggest letdowns.

GameSpy

A bland third-person stealth adventure with sub-par combat and annoyingly stylized death sequences.

Boomtown

Manhunt 2 isn’t a bad game as such, and had a lot going for it, if it had been released in the PS2’s heyday. It wasn’t, and a year later, those polygons aren’t looking any smoother.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

I agree the premise isn't as intriguing as the first game's, but Manhunt 2's still got plenty of creeps and creepy atmosphere--it's the 8mm and Hostel of videogames. [Holiday 2007, p.69]

GamingTrend

Shockingly boring.

Worth Playing

With the difficult camera angles, blurry death sequences, bugs and glitches, playing Manhunt 2 really was like doing to the doctor — it'll hurt like hell, but something tells you that you have to do it. I shouldn't think of a game like that.

1UP

It's technically playable and, despite its best efforts, probably won't plunge the industry into a period of navel-gazing and political sanction. Everything else about it is largely forgettable.

Digital Entertainment News

Either version of the game is equally mediocre. The story holds some promise, but the action is so frustrating it's too much work to get to the meat of it.