- While the horror genre is seeing a surge, franchises like Manhunt are yet to make a comeback.
- Despite its narrow success, Rockstar is unlikely to revisit the franchise due to its controversy, which would cause more harm to the publisher today.
- With its unique immersive experience and stealth gameplay, Manhunt remains a genre-defining series that evokes strong reactions to its graphic content.
The horror genre has seen a surge in this decade, with many of the classic franchises from the late 90s and early 2000s, such as Silent Hill, being revived. There are still more franchises that I’d love to see return, but the best would be Rockstar’s Manhunt games.
The Manhunt games were psychological horror stealth games that were brutal and pushed the boundaries of gore within a video game. Manhunt is unlike any other horror game; it blends society’s ugly realities with sarcasm and survival aspects.
I’ll tell you how notorious Manhunt is to this day and why, out of every other franchise Rockstar has, they’re unlikely to visit Manhunt again.
Why it matters: Manhunt is one of those horror games that shivers you to the core, but due to the heavy controversy surrounding the game, we may see Rockstar return to it.
What Made The Manhunt Games So Disturbing
Now, to give a little context about the Manhunt games, they were everything you don’t expect from a video game, but from an R-rated film or a documentary on psychopathic killers. They were so over the top that it even made the developers working on them feel icky.
The game featured some of the most gory and violent executions in a video game that had to be toned down to sell. It went on to inspire other games like Marvel’s Punisher.
The level design is where these games shine the most; arguably, the atmosphere in the Manhunt game outdoes any other Rockstar game just because of how immersive it feels. The claustrophobic dark and gritty alleys filled with the added effect of disturbing audio really amp up the horror feeling in the game.
The original Xbox version of Manhunt also included headset features, and the director (the game’s main antagonist) spoke to the player directly through headphones, making him feel present throughout the game. Even a slight whisper in the mic would alarm nearby enemies, making you feel like you were living in the game.
The Manhunt Effect
Manhunt has caused more outrage than any other video game. Unlike other games, it doesn’t offer players a moral choice but instead forces them to make tough decisions.
The first game was also rated M, but the sequel took things further up a notch. Manhunt 2 is among the few games rated AO (adults only). Due to its violence, the sequel was banned in a few countries, such as England, and stores like Target pulled copies from their shelves.
The first game was also linked to the murder of Stefan Pakeerah by his friend, to which the police reported that a copy of Manhunt was found in the 17-year-old Warren Leblanc’s bedroom.
The victim’s family also pushed for a ban on the second game’s release when it first came out, but was rejected in court.
One could say that the Manhunt games don’t glorify violence; instead, they disgrace it, which is evident in the entire plot of the two games, where protagonists are forced to commit crimes for their freedom. If you enjoy the enforced violence in the game’s immoral choice, then the player is to blame, and developers are shaming you for feeling that way.
Why Rockstar Is Unlikely To Revisit The Franchise
Aside from the controversies, Manhunt games are pretty amazing and one of the most unique games you’ll ever play. The gameplay is more immersive and scary than any other game, in my opinion.
Manhunt also shares the same universe as GTA, and it has been referenced many times in GTA games.
Rockstar can work on another Manhunt game, but this time, it’s toned down significantly, but it’s not their way of doing so. The franchise is also too big to focus on these types of controversies, which can significantly damage its reputation. Moreover, GTA and RDR are too successful for them to focus on games that have made significantly lesser profits.
The subject matter of snuffy films and mental illness is way too sensitive to revisit the franchise in this era. With more internet exposure and a significant number of youth playing video games, Manhunt is too much of a risk, even for a company like Rockstar.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheerzahid03@gmail.com
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