13. Manhunt/Manhunt 2
2003/2007 Rockstar Games
Rockstar make this list for the third and final time with the dark, sordid and depressing
Manhunt. Playing as a death row convict, the game sees you entrapped in a city overrun by convicts and murderous gangs inspired by those in the film
The Warriors. Escaping requires sticking to the shadows and executing your enemies as gruesomely as possible. Killing involved gruesome improvisational weapons like shards of broken glass and plastic bags, as well as tools like crowbars and sledgehammers. When approaching an enemy from behind with a weapon raised, a reticule would change from green, yellow to red - indicating the severity of the execution. Manhunt didnt hold anything back, with these depictions of death being obscenely violent and accompanied by realistic sound effects. Ugly and uncompromising, Manhunt was attacked following the
death of Stefan Pakeerah - murdered by a friend obsessed with the game. The equally unpleasant sequel was banned outright by the BBFC, but later released with cuts after an appeal from Rockstar. While the studio is no stranger to controversy, Manhunt was perhaps too disturbing even by its own standards. It has since been held under scrutiny and disdain by some of its own developers. On his blog, ex-Rockstar developer Jeff Williams made
his own views on Manhunt very clear.
Manhunt, though, just made us all feel icky. It was all about the violence, and it was realistic violence. We all knew there was no way we could explain away that game. There was no way to rationalize it. We were crossing a line http://youtu.be/PGuhX5AmjuA
Which game is the most shocking ? Any others you feel are equally controversial ? Won't somebody please think of the children ? Let us know your thoughts below.