Its A Manhunt, Baby

Get off the road,

While it is nigh impossible to separate video games and violence, Manhunt 2 is in a league all its own. I am not exactly squeamish, but that game, the people who make it and the people who will play it sicken me. Blood and gore don't usually bother me, but something about Rockstar's latest killing spree doesn't sit right.

I can't quite put my finger on what precisely is so disturbing. Maybe that the take downs are called Executions, which implies some sort of twisted justice. Despite whatever the developers have convinced themselves of, people aren't playing Manhunt for the story or themes. It is nothing more than the interactive equivalent of a snuff film and the only reason it gets attention is the shock value.

The extreme violence doesn't make sense in context. It is supposed to be a stealth game, right? Ripping out someone's spine is about the last thing a fugitive would do if they wanted to avoid calling attention to themselves.

Maybe it is the fact that is a sequel. Rockstar already had their little sadistic experiment; it was mildly interesting at the time and I wrote it off as a small "arty" game merely designed to see what they could get away with after the success of Grand Theft Auto III. With 2, it is apparent that they are not going to let a sleeping dog lie and further hurt the public perception of the medium. Once certain public crusaders get their hands on it, it will only become more difficult to prove we aren't sick, twisted social outcasts. Thanks a lot guys.

Which brings me to the Wii version. Strangling someone in game by using the cord that connects Wiimote and Nunchuck? I don't even know how that would work, but I really don't care to find out. While it does not reach the level of the phantom "Murder Simulator" Jack Thompson would have us believe exists, there is a difference between a button input and actually going through the motions. While the point of the system is to create more immersing, interactive experiences, some lines should not be crossed. Time will tell if this is one of them.

What separates this from a game like Mortal Kombat? They feature similarly violent acts, but Manhunt is much more disturbing. MK doesn't take itself seriously and most of the violence is there to humiliate your friends, not senselessly take out NPCs.

So, yeah. What do you think? Am I growing prudish in my old age or is this game nothing more than childish provocation on the part of Rockstar?

Now you're a man,
Trey Parker