Manhunt Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

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  • Summary: The year's darkest and most terrifying videogame experience has arrived courtesy of Rockstar Games, makers of the controversial Grand Theft Auto series. Walk in the shoes of James Earl Cash, a man sentenced to death only to find himself given an unexpected and sinister reprieve. Forced toThe year's darkest and most terrifying videogame experience has arrived courtesy of Rockstar Games, makers of the controversial Grand Theft Auto series. Walk in the shoes of James Earl Cash, a man sentenced to death only to find himself given an unexpected and sinister reprieve. Forced to fight and outwit hordes of bloodthirsty gang members vying for his head on a platter. All orchestrated for pleasure and profit by the voice of an unseen Director. This is a brutal bloodsport. Expand
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 37
  2. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. One of the bravest works of game creation I've ever played. [June 2004, p.132]
  2. 85
    Once the initial shock value wears off, you're left with a very challenging and rewarding video game. You might, however, want to keep a barf-bag handy just in case.
  3. Manhunt is seriously intense, and anyone with a stomach for the game's concept ought to find it fiendishly entertaining...An audacious game that backs up its extremely violent subject matter with solid stealth action gameplay.
  4. The killing can become repetitive, but the large variety of weapons helps keep some of the stagnant game play fresh.
  5. 77
    Where "Grand Theft Auto" was rather playful in its depictions of crime and violence, Manhunt is simply very blunt and all too real. It doesn’t attempt to present itself as anything other than what it is: a grim and somber representation of cold-blooded murder.
  6. TotalGames.net
    74
    Repetitive and tiresome at times but that's not the problem. The problem is that the developer has made no effort at all with the shadow/lighting system.
  7. GMR Magazine
    40
    Say it with us: Poorly implemented gimmicks do not make for entertaining games. [July 2004, p.89]

See all 37 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. ArielV.
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    Now this game has to be one of the most gory games that has actually shown this much in one game. I'm suprised that it didn't a n A Now this game has to be one of the most gory games that has actually shown this much in one game. I'm suprised that it didn't a n A rating. But by any means i have to say it's right up there with the one and only HALO 2. Expand
  2. MCNC
    Apr 20, 2004
    10
    This game does what splinter cell should have done; simplified the stealth genre and at the same time somehow managed to make it more tense. This game does what splinter cell should have done; simplified the stealth genre and at the same time somehow managed to make it more tense. Never have I felt like I was truly fighting for my life more in any game which preceded Rockstar North's seminal Manhunt. It does contain some questionable content, but I'll leave the complaints for that to those who care. Expand
  3. MikeS.
    Apr 20, 2004
    10
    F....in crazy sh.t!! if u like hardcore violence then this is it!!!!
  4. LamarK.
    Apr 25, 2004
    9
    First off, this game gained my intrest ever since I WATCHED it being played on the crappy PS2. I stress watched because I would never touch First off, this game gained my intrest ever since I WATCHED it being played on the crappy PS2. I stress watched because I would never touch such a vile and disgusting pile of technological bile of which is the PS2. Sorry, almost lost it there. This game just goes to show you why Rockstar is one of the premier developers, they continue to push the envelope by using that beautiful little rating box in the lower right hand corner of your game case. They have found and intriguing little niche, by blending both stealth and survival horror into a graphical 8mm snuff film fest. As far as gameplay and control, don't look for Sam Fisher type moves but expect tight and well designed control schemes and level creativity. If you've watched the movie 8mm and the Running Man then you've got a pretty good idea what the story is about. My only quirk with the game is that their are no port improvements. There should have been some sort of "And this version has". It's like game companies know the Xbox is the superior console, but won't use it's power to the fullest extent. But anyway they'll realize the power the system has to create great games. So all you Xbox fans out there, don't let this great game slip through your fingers, in other words don't sleep on this sleeper hit. And if your wondering why I didn't give "This Great Game" a perfect 10, it's because, as we all know, the greatest game of all time is Halo! Expand
  5. BenjaminH.
    Apr 28, 2004
    9
    I think the self-righteous people who frown on others that play this game need to give up. This isn't any more intense or gruesome than I think the self-righteous people who frown on others that play this game need to give up. This isn't any more intense or gruesome than some of the horror novels or films I've read or seen (Silence of the Lambs, Kill Bill). It is that from WITHIN that corrupts, not from without. Videogames and other genres reflect what's in (and has been in)society, not vice-versa. Grown-ups can distinguish between cartoony videogame violence and the genuine article. If you get your kicks from condemning others and censoring what they read/watch/play, go join a book-burning festival, I'm sure you'll meet some like-minded people there :) That aside, I really enjoyed this game. It's a raw tribute to the Freudian ID and doesn't hesitate to pull punches. The controls are pretty good and the environments are really well done. It is very intense and is NOT for WUSSIES and the FAINT OF HEART. It is indeed bloody, so if you don't want BLOOD go play mario or something. The rest of us adults can enjoy Rockstar's latest offering. Expand
  6. Aug 5, 2022
    8
    The Xbox port of "Manhunt" has a higher resolution and framerate than the PS2 version. Extra NPC dialogue was also added. However, theThe Xbox port of "Manhunt" has a higher resolution and framerate than the PS2 version. Extra NPC dialogue was also added. However, the disturbing rumble feature (which simulated slowing heartbeats/struggling victims) was taken out. Anyone who likes stealth games such as "Hitman" and "Splinter Cell" will be right at home with this. Of course, "Manhunt" isn't as good as those. But it's a tense and gory slasher game. I would rate it with an 8.3 out of 10. Expand
  7. KelR.
    Apr 27, 2004
    4
    I think all of you people who enjoyed this gruesome, horrific piece of crap need to get some serious counciling. I mean I'm no angel and I think all of you people who enjoyed this gruesome, horrific piece of crap need to get some serious counciling. I mean I'm no angel and do enjoy some violence in games but smashing peoples skulls in and watching the blood fly onto the camera is just not right, and makes me question what kind of society we are becoming. The graphics, sound, and overall production of the game was obviously done by professionals but I can't believe that people would actiually enjoy this kind of thing... Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

71
36
#36 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
38
#38 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004