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Madden NFL 2007
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Pub.: EA
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Dev.:
EA
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Score: 8.6 |
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Manhunt Review
by 007
Rockstar released Manhunt into a vulnerable market of gamers unaware of what they would be exposed to. By now, many of us are aware that Rockstar has made it big with the Grand Theft Auto Series, and they also had heads turning with State of Emergency. Manhunt is definitely going to be grabbing some attention; hopefully it will be from the appropriate age group. Many games in today's day and age are given the 'M' for Mature rating, but Manhunt is one of the few titles that will push that rating to the edge.
It's difficult to grasp the true meaning behind the game. One could easily define the game as being in complete control, quite possibly being in control of living or dying. James Earl Cash (the main character) is given a second chance at life, but he cannot ruin this opportunity. He will have to hunt down his enemies, or they will hunt him and give him no breaks.
Features:
-Endless Brutal Action
-Single Player Experience, no Multiplayer
-5.1 Dolby Digital
-Xbox Live Headset Compatibility
Gameplay:
Manhunt takes place in the treacherous city of Carcer. The Director (a.k.a. Starkweather), will guide James through his earpiece throughout the city giving numerous objectives which nearly all involve brutally killing gang members and corrupt policeman. Cameras have been placed all over the place to film the movements and fights James gets into.
One of the most innovative areas of the game will lie in the executions. With every weapon comes a different way to execute your enemy. If you have a glass shard at your disposal and you use your stealth to come up to an enemy from behind, you can perform an execution. From there the game will quickly move to a cutscene where you'll see your enemy being brutally executed. Usually, James will stab his enemy in the neck with the glass shard.
The game is played from a third-person perspective, which gives clear vision of your surroundings. Manhunt is the most appropriate in third person because you will be able to seek out hiding spots more easily. This also gives you a clearer view of enemies attacking and in what capacity.
The gameplay calls for both stealth andend action. There will be times where you'll have to do both at the same time. Whenever you aren't able to execute an enemy and have to fight till death, finishing off your enemy will draw final screams and words. As you venture throughout the city times will call for heavy action, but many times you'll find yourself using stealth to your advantage. Stealth is key in advancing in the game.
Manhunt uses a pretty basic control scheme that isn't very difficult to get a hold of:
Left Analog Stick: Move
Right Analog Stick: Look
Directional Pad: Peek
Left Trigger: Target
Right Trigger: Sprint
A Button: Light Attack, Fire Weapon, Execute
B Button: Switch/Exchange Weapon
X Button: Strong Attack, Reload, Execute
Y Button: Action
Black Button: Strafe
White Button: Strafe
As you can see, there really isn't much to the controls. The most important thing is to understand that simply walking is the best way to get around. Not only does it make next to no noise, it doesn't drain your stamina meter. The sprint meter should be conserved in desperate times or when you need to take a step backwards in the level to grab some missed or passed health or ammunition.
Manhunt certainly keeps to it 'brutal' roots by having a plethora of weapons. As you begin the game, you'll only start off using the more simple weapons like the plastic bag, glass shard, or wooden baseball bat. As you move on through the levels the more lethal weapons will start appearing. The following is the weapons list:
-Wire
-Glass shard
-Plastic bag
-Metal bat
-Wooden bat
-Night stick
-Sickle
-Knife
-Bottles
-Jars
-Cleaver
-Hand axe
-Machete
-Chainsaw
-.38 revolver
-Avenger force .50 AE
-GS model 23
-SAP-12
-Sawed off 12-gauge
-SPAZ mark 1
-IDK type 2 sniper
-Defender mark 1
-Tranquilizer rifle
-Nail gun
Weapons are placed under three different classes: melee, firearms, and quickies. Melee weapons will consist of bats, night sticks, and sickles. Firearms will include all guns. Quickies will include weapons that can basically be used in one shot: glass jars, bottles, plastic bags, wires, and glass shards. What makes the game innovative is that James can't carry all guns at once. He can only carry one of each class, or exchange weapons for new ones he finds.
The AI in Manhunt is pretty good, but it isn't perfect. As an example, say James is equipped with a metal bat and attacks a gang member. It will usually take six blows to knock that person down to the ground and either begging you for mercy or taunting you to finish him off. Let's just say you let him live (not that you would anyway), he's going to get up moments later and attack you yet again. What will irk some gamers is that you're going to have to put the same amount of effort to knock him down again and finish him off. Once a gang member actually gets up from a severe beating, they shouldn't be able to attack you again with such ferocity and power.
For the most part, there's really is no other complaint with the AI in Manhunt. You'll come across some really vicious enemies throughout the game, and each gang member you come across is different. Many of them can more pain than others can, which presents a problem to you. Many of them will call for help when they realize there in tough, and all of them will put up a tough fight. That's why it's so important to utilize stealth.
Graphics:
Manhunt will have many comparisons made to the Grand Theft Auto series which isn't necessarily a good thing. The environments aren't done in tremendous detail and the textures don't seem to be up to par at times. The game is usually played in the in dark, gloomy levels, so there isn't much lighting. That way, there are plenty of sweet spots to hide out in when you're waiting to sneak up on an enemy. It's easy to see that elements from other Rockstar games have been taken into account for Manhunt, such as the weapons from the Grand Theft Auto series and State of Emergency. For the most part, the game is very well detailed and the resolution is clear and sharp. James himself is a strained out and beat man that clearly shows in his character model. Each gang is unique with different hairstyles and painted faces.
Audio:
The audio in Manhunt is second to none. I haven't heard a game sound this good in quite some time. I'm not talking about the background music or the sound effects, but the voice work done is simply extraordinary. The voice work done by Starkweather is outstanding with such depth and detail put into his lines. There's so much emotion put into his work that you just want to hear more and more of it. The gangs themselves have a lot of interesting comments, most vulgar and offensive, but that's what makes the game unique. It's hard to hear some of the lines over again, because there are a huge variety of comments coming from each gang. Gang members will have different approaches of talking to you. Most of the time it's going to be rude, vulgar, and abusive, but other times they'll surprise you by laughing, groaning, or making animal noises as they come after you.
Overall:
Manhunt isn't a game for the masses. This is a game for adult audiences, and no one else. One could imagine what kind of images Manhunt can put into ones head. By just playing for 15 minutes you'll get the picture quickly. As the game goes on, the hunt just gets more aggressive, violent, and vicious. Manhunt is a in-depth, solid experience that hardcore action fans will definitely want to check out. If parents are curious to know whether or not their kids should be wandering the streets of Carcer city, only allow them to play Manhunt if you're completely satisfied. Manhunt offers disturbing cutscenes that might offend or scare the younger age group. While one Manhunt's purposes is to give a good scare, just remember that this could leave a lasting effect. Make the right decision and enjoy one of Rockstar's finest titles as of late.
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| Rating |
| Gameplay: | 8 |
| Graphics: | 7 |
| Sound: | 9 |
| Value: | 8 |
| Tilt: | 8 |
| Overall: 8 |
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