Manhunt is a game that gets a bad wrap based on expectations. Due to its reputation people expect this game that is going to twist their stomach in knots. Since the game is ostensibly a “stealth” game it gets lost in superior mechanics presented in Metal Gear Solid or Tenchu. The thing that makes Manhunt special is the sum of its parts. It’s a gritty b movie based in the world of snuff that is a hybrid stealth/survivor horror and it pulls it off with few flaws.
Are the mechanics tanky? Yes. But that is to the advantage of the game. Great games are a product of their limitations. If that wasn’t the case we’d no clip to the end goal and call it a day. The limitations here are a part of the point and surviving each scenario under these limitations are what makes the themes work. Once you wrap your head around the tanky stealth mechanics you become a killing machine. Each forced section of melee or gunfight are like mini boss fights. Unless forced you should NOT be engaging in melee and gun fights and the forced fights work to illustrate this point.
The violence in the game Is indeed edgy and extreme but self-aware and a part of the game. The snuff film aspect works well. A lot of the segments work as classic Rockstar flavored satire. Beyond the satire the character design of some of the bosses are just straight up fantastic. I won’t spoil the boss designs here but the character designers really flex their creative muscles.
It’s not perfect. The scoring system doesn’t work in the game mechanics’ favor. Hardcore mode is poorly balanced. Taking away the player’s radar could work but having the five-star system tied into play time means that a five star rating is reduced to simple map memorization. Getting five stars is not flexible and genuinely makes the game a slog/grind to play. If I were to recommend anything to a new player I would say aim for three stars and only play on the default difficulty.
It's a shame the media killed this series. Rockstar has shied away from experimental games in recent years. Considering the blowback from press and fans alike it’s hard to blame them. Still, a modern Manhunt is a dream game scenario. That and Banjo Threeie.
Are the mechanics tanky? Yes. But that is to the advantage of the game. Great games are a product of their limitations. If that wasn’t the case we’d no clip to the end goal and call it a day. The limitations here are a part of the point and surviving each scenario under these limitations are what makes the themes work. Once you wrap your head around the tanky stealth mechanics you become a killing machine. Each forced section of melee or gunfight are like mini boss fights. Unless forced you should NOT be engaging in melee and gun fights and the forced fights work to illustrate this point.
The violence in the game Is indeed edgy and extreme but self-aware and a part of the game. The snuff film aspect works well. A lot of the segments work as classic Rockstar flavored satire. Beyond the satire the character design of some of the bosses are just straight up fantastic. I won’t spoil the boss designs here but the character designers really flex their creative muscles.
It’s not perfect. The scoring system doesn’t work in the game mechanics’ favor. Hardcore mode is poorly balanced. Taking away the player’s radar could work but having the five-star system tied into play time means that a five star rating is reduced to simple map memorization. Getting five stars is not flexible and genuinely makes the game a slog/grind to play. If I were to recommend anything to a new player I would say aim for three stars and only play on the default difficulty.
It's a shame the media killed this series. Rockstar has shied away from experimental games in recent years. Considering the blowback from press and fans alike it’s hard to blame them. Still, a modern Manhunt is a dream game scenario. That and Banjo Threeie.