Difference between revisions of "Manhunt"

Revision as of 01:32, 14 March 2019

Manhunt is an action, stealth-based adventure video game developed by Rockstar North, and published by Rockstar games. The game originally first released for the Playstation 2 on November 18, 2003, followed by its release for Microsoft Windows and Xbox on April 20, 2004. Ten years later, in 2013, Manhunt was re-released on the playstation network for the Playstation 3, and in 2016 for the Playstation 4. Manhunt received praise for its violent scenes and dark story by critics. Since its first release there has been 1.47 million copies sold on the Xbox and Playstation 2 combined. In 2007 Rockstar created its sequel, Manhunt 2.

Manhunt follows the story of James Earl Cash a criminal who's sentenced to death row. His lethal injection is merely a sedative which allows Lionel Starkweather, a former film director, to leave Cash in Carcer City. There he becomes the star of Starkweather's snuff films. Due to its graphic violence in cut scenes and game play, Manhunt received controversy. In addition to criticism, the games sale was banned in several countries.

Game Play

Manhunt is played in a third person point of view through the character James Earl Cash. In every level (called scene), Cash is outnumbered and the stealth mechanics are necessary. The map on the lower left hand corner shows the alertness and position of enemies near, represented in 3 colors. A yellow enemy icon embodies an enemy that is moving around, an orange enemy icon is an enemy that is alerted by Cash's presence, and a red icon is an enemy which has spotted Cash. Anything from walking or running on gravel to banging on a wall can alert an enemy. The circle on the lower left hand side of the screen shows emanating circles whenever noise is produced. Avoiding running will preserve Cash's stamina shown in the lower right hand corner along with his health.

The stealth mechanics include hiding in the shadows (called the safe zone), and attacking enemies by sneaking up behind them without catching their sight. When locking on to an enemy there are 3 choices that present themselves, a "hasty", "violent", and "gruesome" kill. The 3 are presented within 5 seconds of locking onto an enemy, and once one is chosen Cash uses one of 3 weapons collected throughout the game, one-off, melee weapons, or guns. A "gruesome" kill leaves cash most vulnerable, however, rewards the player at the end of a level. "Movies with a five star rating have loads of brutality crammed into as little space as possible", which in turn unlock bonus levels and concept art. The game can be replayed in 2 different levels ranging in difficulty, fetish being normal and hardcore being most challenging.

https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/18/manhunt-2?page=3 https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sony_Playstation_2/Manual/formated/Manhunt_-_2003_-_Rockstar_Games.pdf

Ethical Dilemma

Violence

Manhunt's controversy focused on its violent content. Rated M for mature upon release prohibited its sale to minors. The blood, gore, intense violence, and strong language gave Manhunt its rating. The concern and controversy spoke on its impression upon children, "Upon popular release, a lot of popular voices - mainstream news sites, Californian U.S Representative Joe Bacca - decried the game as encouraging violence"

References

http://www.vgchartz.com/gamedb/games.php?name=manhunt&keyword=&console=&region=All&developer=&publisher=&goty_year=&genre=&boxart=Both&banner=Both&ownership=Both&showmultiplat=No&results=50&order=Sales&showtotalsales=0&showtotalsales=1&showpublisher=0&showpublisher=1&showvgchartzscore=0&showvgchartzscore=1&shownasales=0&showdeveloper=0&showcriticscore=0&showcriticscore=1&showpalsales=0&showreleasedate=0&showreleasedate=1&showuserscore=0&showuserscore=1&showjapansales=0&showlastupdate=0&showlastupdate=1&showothersales=0&showshipped=0