Review: Manhunt 2 (Unrated) PS2

I was pleasantly surprised in finding copies Manhunt 2 for the PS2 in the local gaming stores. Upon closer inspection, the version available now is of the PAL variety, meaning its the European version. In anticipation that this is the said leaked Unrated version, I grabbed a copy. Here is my take on the game, without any story spoilers.

Booting up the game on PS2, you play Danny, a escapee from a mental institution. Assisted by Leo as a voice over in your head (which is strange as Leo is never seen around you while in game). In order to evade a "manhunt" on you and Leo, you resort to stealth, sneaking up to your hunters and pulling off one of three available "kills" with whatever weapon you can lay your hands on (ranges from syringes, glass shards to knifes).

To achieve this, you will need to target your hunter and holding the square or R1 button while the the target reticule changes color, from white to yellow and finally red. Releasing the held button will then trigger the "kill" animation, to which the level of violence and gore will depend on how long the buttons were held. For example, with a glass shard in hand, releasing the "kill" button when white will trigger a simple "stab in the neck" animation. But releasing the button when red will trigger a nastier "slash neck, followed with few thrusts in the stomach" animation.

All these animations come with blood sprays that splashes on the TV screen, everytime. Pulling off the highest level of "kill" animation is the pay off in Manhunt 2, and its really satisfying when you get it after slowly and painfully studying the victims movement for a few minutes.

From what I can see on screen, there is no blurness or darkening of the kill animations, which was what IGN reported in the revised M version. This has led me to believe the version I am playing is the AO version, with no cuts in it. I have not reached the infamous "pliers ripping hunter's testicles" part yet, so I cant verify that its indeed in this version I am playing now.

On the graphics side, Rockstar have added a layer of screen noise, which luckily you can turn off. Turning it off will give you a clearer and brighter screen, which is my preferred setting. Also, Rockstar have given the screen its own movement, that does shake even when Danny is standing still, making me rather nauseous. There is no option to stop this shake. Rockstar have included a 16:9 widescreen option, but no progressive scan. A strange graphical quirkiness is that the objects that Danny can pick up has a strange vibrating animation to it, which could represent Danny's state of mind, but it bugs the hell of me.

Danny controls well, but there is a very strange control setup Rockstar have implemented. You cant control the camera with the right analog stick, unlike the GTA series. I find this very strange as I have to resort to turning Danny to see whats on the sides, as opposed to using the right analog stick top pan the camera. While Rockstar have included a wall hug to peek over the walls (using the triangle button), the omission of camera control on the right analog stick is a very strange decision, given other Rockstar games does allow for it. I wont be able to verify if this will be in the M version of the game too (as this AO version could be a leaked, incomplete version).

All in all, Manhunt 2 lived up to its hype. With solid stealthy gameplay, satisfying payoff when pulling "kills", and very nice graphics for a last gen console, Manhunt 2 is one of the last AAA titles for the aging PS2. Its time to dust off your PS2 now.

Ratings: 9/10

Wii Review: Metriod Prime 3: Corruption.

Rejoice! Metriod Prime 3: Corruption (MP3:C) is here in Malaysian shores. You can find the retail US version of this Wii game in stores, prices ranges from RM200++, so do some bargaining to get the best prices. I have been playing the game over the past weekend, and here is what I think of it.

Published by Nintendo and developed by Retro Studio, Metriod Prime 3: Corruption is the final part of a trilogy, feature a silent female protagonist Samus Aran. Being a bounty hunter for the Galactic Federation, she is a trusted contract hunter in the battle against the Space Pirates, a race of evil aliens, the Metriods. Aran's quest will take her across the galaxy to several planets and ships, she will meet up with some recognizable hunters, do battle with Dark Samus and strive to keep from becoming corrupted herself. That's the main storyline, I wont spoil it for you.

MP3:C is Wii's best technical showoff, showing what the console can push out given tender and loving care while in development. Tonnes of particle effects, bloom lighting effects, 16:9 widescreen and 480P support, making it the best looking game. The game moves at 60FPS consistently and with level geometry and designs to boot, MP3:C is also Wii's most technical game to date. Admittedly the resolution is much lower than the other consoles, the level design and the smoothness of the moving graphics all makes up for it. In fact, in the middle of a heated battle, you wont be able to tell if this is a Wii or a PS3 game (running in 480P). Its that good.

Utilising Wii IR sensing capabilities, targeting on-screen targets is that much easier, much faster and much more accurate compared to any dual analog stick setup. Using the analog stick on the nunchuk to move about, the pointing the Wiimote on screen allows you to look around as you move, the first in the series. The Wiimote and Nunchuk combo is so well done, that this may the best way to play first person shooters on consoles. I played Resistance on PS3, but the Wiimote/nunchuk's responsiveness and accuracy beats the PS3 dual analog setup hands down.

On top of that, you have several motion sensitive movements, like twisting the door handles and casting motion of the nunchuk to... errr... cast Samus' Grapple Lasso. All the motion movements seems very natural, well incorporated into the gameplay and enhances the idea that you are in the game, unlike other tacky motion movements added for the sake of motion movements.

MP3:C features great level designs, requiring you to really think and plan your next course of action. Integral to this is the scan function which gives you hints to what stuff can be moved or shot at. I learned this the hard way when I was stuck in a particular area for 30 minutes, before I realised that I needed to scan the area for an exit. It was brilliant level design, providing good platforming levels with puzzle solving elements thrown in. This makes MP3:C more a platforming adventure game than a hectic first person shooter. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of hectic and furious battles to be had, but this is more an adventure game and sometimes battles are not to be found in some areas.

MP3:C itself is a long game, estimated to take 20+ hours to complete. With different colored medals as part of reward system for accomplishing certain tasks (kill 50 enemies, scan items, etc.) and using WiiConnect24 to share them with your friends, MP3:C is a very long, technically impressive, and the most beatiful game in the Wii to date. For Metriod Prime 1 and 2 players on the Gamecube, the story and the FPSish elements wont wow you as they did the first two times. But hey, I am playing Metriod Prime for the first time, and this is the best way to enjoy it.

Wii have finally gotten an AAA title. Go get it now.

Rating: 10/10.