Warning: This game is NOT meant for anyone under the age of 18!!!

Never the ones for good taste, Rockstar seems content to always push things to the extreme. This is something that has obviously worked for the company when considering the enormous sales numbers of the Grand Theft Auto series. Yet, at the same time, it also seems like their crass humor, violence and sex are really the only things the company can sell since some of its other franchises haven't done all that well. Manhunt is one of the more extreme cases of boundary pushing to come out of Rockstar. Combining elements of The Running Man with the dark horror of snuff films (like the ones seen in 8mm), Manhunt is a game that is likely to win acclaim from some gamers for its content rather than its gameplay.

The graphics in Manhunt set the game's mood perfectly. Overall, they do exactly what they are supposed to do -- make you uncomfortable. This is a tone set by most of the game. Levels are dark, run down and just plain eerie. This is not the place you want to be at after 12 midnight, or for that matter, 12 noon. Environments are about as creepy as those found in Silent Hill, only instead of things like fog setting the tone, it is a brutal, inner city sprawl. Character models have the same look and feel of characters from Rockstar's other games -- only with a little more detail. Leather clad thugs and murderers roam the streets and chase you down. The detail on enemies is nice, and helps give them a creepy, yet fun, madness. Your character even changes over time and will feature cuts, bruises and blood splatters as time progresses. One of the more interesting aspects of the game is how the camera will change its perspective to a grainy, surveillance camera view when you kill enemies. This is one of the areas that will undoubtedly make people uncomfortable with the game. Again, this game is not meant for anyone under the age of 18. I'm in my mid-twenties, and still had problems with some of the game's presentation.

One of the MAJOR qualms I had with the game was the use of language - in particular, the use of certain four letter words. Ask anyone who knows me; I'm the last person to get offended with anything. In fact, more than usual I'm the one being told to watch myself or tone it down. But the language in Manhunt is inexcusable in parts. I don't mind a few cuss words here and there -- but just as long as there's a reason for them. Though a few uses can be justified in the game, often times it just felt like they were thrown in just to be there. It's almost like a little kid looking for attention at times. Personal feelings aside, the audio is really good -- especially when using the USB headset to listen to comments from The Director. Ambient sounds are what really help to sell the game's gritty graphics. Some of the really dark parts occur when pinning down enemies. They will literally begin pleading for their lives. Again, this gave the game a very 'un-right' feeling since I sometimes felt bad for what I was forced to do in the game.

Manhunt places you in the role of James Cash, a violent criminal who has been sentenced to death. After receiving what was supposed to be a life-ending injection, Cash wakes up in a room. A mysterious voice, known only as The Director, informs him that he has been given a second chance. The catch is, he's not given a chance to become a hero and right his wrongs, he's given a second chance to survive. As it turns out, the Director is making snuff films, and he wants Cash to star in his next production. Cash is then dumped in the middle of Carcer City, a run down ghost down ruled by gang violence and murders.

Beyond the violence, language and more violence, Manhunt turns out to be a pretty slick stealth game -- similar in concept to something like Metal Gear Solid. Of course, I feel a little uneasy at making that comparison since someone will buy it thinking the games are similar theme-wise, but it's a fitting one nonetheless. You, as Cash, wander the streets of Carcer City trying to avoid the hoods out to get you. These thugs are out looking to kill you, which means you have to be very careful not to attract attention. In addition, you also have to kill them before they kill you. This is where the grisly elements of Manhunt come into play. Unlike other stealth games, where your weapons are the shadows and sometime a gun, Manhunt requires you to use various objects from your surroundings as makeshift weapons. These include things like plastic bags and glass shards. As you progress through the game, you'll eventually acquire more standard weapons like shotguns and bats. After sneaking up on people and using your weapon, a target will appear and begin flashing. The longer you hold down the attack button, the more brutal of a murder will take place. This is where the game gets really hard to watch, and becomes its most uncomfortable. The killings in the game are very disturbing and help the game earn its M rating. White kills are quick deaths, while red ones are just plain sick and hard to watch. I could go on -- but there's really no reason to.

Mission layouts are laid out rather well, but usually revolve around the 'Survive' motif. This can get a little dull at times, but some variety is thrown in to break up the monotony. For example, one mission has you chasing a lunatic dressed in a bunny suit around a mental hospital. Once you beat the game, there's not much offered in replay value. Depending on the rankings you get for your kills, you can unlock bonus levels.

Manhunt has two settings -- Fetish and Hardcore. Both of these settings are unforgiving if you're not careful. Regardless of which setting you play on, the game has a pretty high learning curve which requires you to take note of your surroundings as well as different gang behaviors. For the most part, the game offers a nice challenge. The AI is very good and very responsive to your actions. This isn't a game where you can beat up one guy, while his buddy down the street (and a little off screen) stands around. Much of the enemy reaction seems to be based on sound -- so the quieter you are, the better your chances for making it out of situations alive.

The gameplay in Manhunt is rather good, but doesn't push the stealth concept any more that it already has (aside from the use of the USB headset). The control setup is easy to use and works. The controls are responsive and I didn't notice any real glitches when trying to sneak. I was rather impressed with the amount of control the analog stick afforded considering that it usually has a tendency to not work in these situations. A majority of the game is spent pressed up against walls and silently working your way around city streets. Just as in other stealth games, Cash can pick up bottles, bricks and -- more disturbingly -- a severed head to distract thugs. Another nice use of the headset is that your voice plays a part in the game. If you sneak behind someone and yell, they'll either be distracted or stunned. At the same time though, if you're trying to sneak around and accidentally sneeze, your cover will be blown.

While Manhunt is more than likely going to receive attention for its content, it is still a solid title. Although I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the stuff that goes on in the game, Rockstar should get credit for managing to build a good game to backup their edifice to all things illegal. Stealth fans should have a fun time with the title; however the graphic nature is not for everyone. Parents -- please, I implore you to NOT let your kids anywhere near this game. No matter how much little Jeffy begs, pleads and promises that he'll clean his room or be REALLY, REALLY good, this is NOT a game he should even look at. I know there's usually a tendency to say, 'Oh -- it's just a game', but trust me, this isn't for them. The game is rated Mature for a reason. However, if your kids do manage to get a hold of the game, it is not the fault of Rockstar and the game industry as a whole. Blame the one who bought it or sold it.