Hands-on with the Wii version's controls.

The One Minute Preview

From Rockstar's London studio comes Manhunt 2 for Wii, 2007's most controversial video game. While not a direct sequel to the gory PS2 and Xbox video game, it retains its predecessor's mechanics, forcing gamers to sneak about, using the shadows as cover and executing enemies in a most gruesome fashion; whether it involves jabbing a pen into their necks or thrusting a syringe through an eyeball. Whereas the PS2 version forces gamers to kill people with buttons, its Wii counterpart goes a step further by incorporating the motion sensitive remote. In order to saw someone's head off, for example, players move the controller back and forth. The graphics lack high production values, but the gritty visuals set an appropriate tone. The story, however, fails to match the original's twisted tale, at least so far. Along with brutal executions and plenty of over the top cut scenes, Manhunt 2 should provide plenty of diabolical thrills if it comes out.

Full Preview

Manhunt 2, Rockstar's bastard stepchild, continues to draw criticism from anti-violence crusaders the world over. Banned in the United Kingdom and subsequently bashed in the U.S. after receiving an Adults Only (AO) rating, it was put on hold indefinitely so Rockstar could tone it down. Doing so, however, prevents gamers from experiencing the game in its purest form, an adventure that uses the motion sensitive Wii remote in order to murder people in the most gruesome of fashions.

This time around, gamers step into the psychotic life of Dr. Daniel Lamb, a scientist who falls victim to an underground experiment known as the Pickman Project. After losing his funding, Dr. Pickman continues his masterpiece with the belief that he's only a few steps short from cashing in. When Daniel agrees to be a guinea pig, the process goes insane. Committed to Dixmore Asylum (where Pickman dumps experimental rejects), Lamb sits in a cell for six years, growing crazier but still having moments of clarity that show valuable memory nuggets from his past, including co-workers and his loving family. At the same time, he befriends a weirdo named Leo, a fellow inmate that talks of escape. These conversations become a reality when lightning strikes the asylum, zapping the electricity and opening all the doors. With Leo's encouragement, Daniel sets out to locate everyone responsible for making him bonkers, thus embarking upon a murderous rampage.

Much like in the original game, Manhunt 2 forces players into the shadows with the hope of sneaking past enemies undetected. At the same time, they'll use various weapons to execute their foes. Most weapons highlight three types of executions, designated by color and displayed by arrows that appear behind the victim. A Hasty execution (white arrows) occurs almost immediately, a Violent one (yellow arrows) happens after a few seconds and a Gruesome execution (red arrows) plays out after waiting several seconds. The longer a player waits, the better the chances are of viewing the Gruesome execution. On the flip side, waiting too long may prove fatal, as the non-player character may turn around and attack.

Initially, gamers come across a syringe, presumably filled with some life ending substance. Executions include a simple jab to the neck (the Hasty execution) and the shocking Gruesome one, which entails jabbing the needle into someone's face. Later on, Daniel comes in contact with other toys, including a shotgun, axe, sledgehammer, baseball bat and a makeshift club. The glass shard proves especially devious, as he (in the Gruesome execution) stabs his victim in an eyeball and then slits their throat.

Manhunt 2 takes no liberties with the gore, so expect to see brains splattering against walls; eyeballs erupt with blood and gaping throats spewing crimson. In addition, the game includes several environmental executions, moments in the story where Daniel has the option of offing characters using some object in the environment. In one scene, he bashes a telephone over a scumbag's head, chokes him with the cord (while dragging him around the room) and then breaks his neck. In another, he pushes a thug into an electrical box head first, which causes the guy's melon to explode into chunks of meat.

Evangelists despise the game, not just for its content, but also for what it asks players to do. Armed with the remote and nunchuk, they execute people by physically mimicking the motions. For example, to saw someone's skull, they move the remote back and forth in a sawing motion. In addition, they'll use the controllers to rip off a poor guy's testicles or yank out someone's spinal chord. Furthermore, the Wii version packs three exclusive weapons (mace, razor, broken bottle), which will probably be used in some gruesome form. To cut someone, perhaps gamers will raise the remote and slash the air.

Like in the previous game, players must use shadows to their advantage. The HUD/mini map on the bottom left corner of the screen displays enemy positions, along with the direction they're facing as well as their alert status, be it orange (oblivious), yellow (suspicious) or red (aware). Most times, stepping into a shadow saves the player, providing they haven't been seen. However, the developers added a unique mini game in which, every once and a while, gamers have a few seconds to press random buttons. If they fail to do this, an enemy will see them and yank them from the shadows. Because the mini game appears randomly, gamers must always be aware of their situation. They can no longer step into a shadow and simply remain there forever.

In addition, players will climb and crawl, as well as punch with weapons in their hands, thus intensifying the first few blows. However, if they use a weak object like a pen or syringe, it'll break after four or five punches. They'll also use sounds to muffle noise. For example, while in a brothel, Daniel waits for someone to moan in order to break a window, the moan masking the sound of shattering glass.

These things notwithstanding, Manhunt may fail to capture its prequel's magic. The story, at least at this point, doesn't fit. In the first game, gamers play as a convicted felon forced to star in some scumbag's snuff films. The over the top violence is balanced with a greasy, voyeuristic (even pornographic) stain that perfectly fits the game's dark tone. In the sequel, gamers play as an all American dad, a family man; even worse, he looks like a dork, the type of guy that wouldn't be able to kill anyone. Finally, the whole concept of lightning hitting the asylum just screams cliche.

The Wii quality visuals don't help matters. The game looks like it should've debuted years ago, with unrealistic looking character models and bland environments. Sweet little touches, such as the shaky camera and the dirty filter slapped onto the screen add ambiance, but it would've looked a lot better running on an Xbox 360. At least it runs in 480p and 16:9.

Whether or not gamers will play Manhunt 2, however, remains to be seen. Unless Rockstar tones down the violence (to get a much more acceptable M rating), numerous stores (Walmart being the biggest) won't carry it, thus crippling its potential sales. We demand the original version, as we prefer to experience it the way Rockstar intended. Yet at this point, that seems unlikely.

Original link: Click Here