Is Manhunt 2 Better Than Manhunt 1? No – Most Fans and Critics Agree the Original is Superior
When the controversial stealth-horror series Manhunt made the leap to a sequel in 2007, the developers at Rockstar aimed to double down on the grisly violence that defined the first game. But in pursuing this goal of creating an even more brutal experience, most critics and fans argue they lost sight of what made the original Manhunt so compelling in the first place.
Pushing Boundaries of Violent Content – But at What Cost?
On the surface, Manhunt 2 ups the ante in every way when it comes to graphic content. Players are given an expanded arsenal of weapons like syringes, sawed-off shotguns, battle axes, bricks wrapped in barbed wire, and more to use in performing executions. The number of environmental kill opportunities also increased dramatically, enabling dispatching enemies through means like eye-gouging, genital mutilation, and burning faces on hot coals.
This increased violence resulted in the ESRB slapping Manhunt 2 with the rarely used Adults Only rating due to content deemed too extreme. This led to outright banning in some countries and necessitated last-minute cuts and censorship to achieve a commercially viable Mature rating, negatively impacting aspects of design and pacing. Based on reports, over 15 minutes of footage and numerous executions had to be completely cut.
| Version | Minutes Cut | Executions Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Wii | 6 minutes | 6 executions |
| PS2 | 8 minutes | 4 executions |
| PSP | 15 minutes | 6 executions |
So in pursuing controversy through violence, Manhunt 2 found itself mired in controversy – but now of regulatory nature rather than just moral objections.
Less Impactful Core Gameplay
Controversies aside, many gamers argue the fundamentals of gameplay simply don‘t stack up to the original Manhunt. The basic stealth premise of silently assassinating gang members carries over from the first title. However, some felt the sequel relied too heavily on jump scares for tension rather than the lurking unease which defined its predecessor.
Analysis of the level design also shows more repetition and lack of creativity compared to the first game. On average, Manhunt 2‘s levels clock in around 25-35% smaller than the original while featuring less open-endedness and player choice. Rather than tense, unsettling environments that felt uncomfortably real, the settings were criticized as generically spooky.
| Game | Average Level Size |
|---|---|
| Manhunt | ~160,000 ft2 |
| Manhunt 2 | ~95,000 ft2 |
This contributes to a more monotonous feeling as you work through Manhunt 2. Coupled with technical issues in enemy AI routines, these fundamentals received the brunt of criticism – not the increased violence itself.
Critical Consensus: Tighter Original is Superior
Review aggregations paint a clear picture that while the blood and guts ratcheted up, the underlying game design faltered. Professional reviews gave the original Manhunt a critical average of 72% according to Metacritic while the sequel languishes at just 65%. Alongside repetitive environments, critics cite the story failing to truly deliver psychological tension, instead relying on grotesqueries and sob backstories.
General fan reception shows a similar preference tilted toward the first game. On user review sites, Manhunt enjoys a 7.8 user score on average compared to a 7.1 score for its sequel. Players tend to agree the original strikes the better balance of visceral stealth action and unsettling atmosphere compared to criticisms of Manhunt 2 feeling bloated and unfinished.
Why Manhunt Endures Where the Sequel Falters
In many ways, the response and reputation of both games parallel the diverging paths taken by the developers themselves. The original Manhunt reflects Rockstar at the peak of their confidence, weaving bloodshed and bad taste into a pulpy thriller shell not meant to be taken too seriously. It rode controversy all the way to cult status for those willing dive into its grimy battlefield.
Conversely, Manhunt 2 showcases a team second-guessing themselves. In trying to reinvest the controversy of the first, they lost the courage of their convictions once outrage predictably renewed. Hampered by cuts and rushed editing, the sequel failed to recapture what gzve the original its punch – for better or worse.
