Manhunt 2

Really, the game warrants a 4 because it's technically playable and, despite its best efforts, probably won't plunge the industry into a period of navel-gazing and political sanction. Everything else about it is largely forgettable.

It's not as shocking as you'd expect, but Manhunt 2 still satisfies your primal instincts.

To its credit, Manhunt 2 features a far more interesting storyline than you'd find in most B-movie slasher flicks. The voice work is well-acted, and the characters are alive with personality, even if they are suffering from severe psychological disorders. Learning about and understanding the story behind the game's main character and delving deeper and deeper into the truths behind the malicious "Project" will keep players interested far longer than the obfuscated death visuals or the rudimentary combat system which degrades into a mindless and uninteresting button mash should you fail to sneak up on a victim.

"Rockstar's title may have dropped the AO label and toned down the presentation of death strikes for an M rating, but this blood-soaked effort is still one of the grossest and most disturbing titles we've ever seen. It's also fun, thanks to usually-tight control and an abundance of dark atmosphere."