Surfing the controversy. Curling irreverence, walk the line between bad taste of disgust. Rockstar is customary due. With its GTA series, whose fourth episode reflected as such a mature (or a reluctance?) Quite unusual, the American developer is trying to buy a pipe? Having played Manhunt 2, one might think that yes. Because as surprising as it may seem, the second episode really slice with the first, released in 2003. Five years, so this is the time it took for Rockstar we lay this suite with us. Or rather four, if one considers that in 2008 only served to expunge Manhunt 2 a good part of its controversial content. But rather than draw conclusions too quickly, really see what he has in the stomach.


The guts to air

After the television and adventures of James Earl Cash, hero despite himself a first episode of quality, Rockstar changes a little register with Manhunt 2. We stand Daniel Lamb and Leo Kasper, two characters of the past and personality disorders. Topics of a terrible experience that disrupts their lives, these two characters are related to one another, the plot based solely on their quest for identity and meaning, flashbacks to support. If we do not reveal why the how, just know that the handling Scenarist held for three levels up, and it was clear enough to be very (too?) Quickly. The story as such does not clear the quality of the first opus, particularly intelligent and engaged on a relatively new subject for the time: Reality TV. It was expected to end more from Rockstar, and some sequences well staged pass the pill, it will ultimately do little adventures Lamb and Kasper.


Talk immediately point angry that this final European Manhunt 2. To please the censors, Rockstar saw fit, or was forced to put water in his blood red wine. No more executions barbarism visible (or overflowing), which constituted a major interest of the first series. A dark red filter (on Wii and PSP, PS2 white) mask effect the killing of our adversaries, marred by the same sadistic pleasure that we felt five years ago, contributing to a little more credibility to an atmosphere crade burdensome to the core. Hardly can we be satisfied with our abuses to mimic the Wiimote during exciting action sequences contextual (QTY) more or less difficult depending on the gun violence and murder. Fortunately, smothering the plastic bag, Taillades to false, massacres shots shovels and other executions using the decor (novelty of this series, symbolized by a skull on the radar) receive special care to noise. Cracking bones, muscles that are tearing and screaming choked our unfortunate victims are indeed preferential treatment, helping to make almost horror, now based more on imagination than on sight, even worse " that true. " Almost ...


A manhunt sterile?

What fans of the excellent first episode is reassuring, Manhunt 2 has not lost any of his spinal substance. Because if executions have lost their teeth visual, the overall atmosphere of the game remains in the same tone as the first series. The sale alongside frankly debugs and technically if the game has changed very little since the first series, it is clear that the overall result is convincing. In the psychiatric hospital, part of the first mission, flags suburban through institutions generally infrequent, visited the scene indicate clearly against our habits of player. Indoors or outdoors, levels are generally well constructed, though somewhat close throughout. As in the first opus, it will have to be careful where you put your feet. In addition to the traditional gravel, many objects "upset" have made their appearance, their sole reason is to identify you. Car Manhunt 2 is always a game of infiltration. Hiding in the dark to pounce against an innocent junkie or a psychopath all that is more friendly will be your priesthood for ten hours, the time of closing weeks of courses offered by the Supreme Detail play, statistics and other assessments which destroys your progress in the first episode have disappeared, do not really the player to repeat missions to be more discreet.


The first episode had already laid the foundations for a tour infiltration more difficult to implement and camera system foireux on artificial intelligence coded well. Whether on PS2, PSP or Wii, impossible to properly guide his camera. If mobile understanding of why (the PSP has only one stick), difficult to forgive on PS2 and Wii, both carriers can offer different alternatives. The suffering is real in all situations, whether to tapir in the shadows to crack or to flee a group of mercenaries in fury. It will leave his skin on numerous occasions, causing frustration and irritation. Otherwise stick with the ambiance of the title of Rockstar? Not really, especially since many sequences to shoot the gun mandatory parasitize just a little more game experience already this frenchised Manhunt 2.


The bug in the rough

More nasty beast that, Manhunt 2 offers a lot of ridiculous situations. Enemies scanning the tarnished (with the key QTY) without us now to worship "on tape on the wall, the enemy comes and we quietly Kill", the proposed infiltration is really hard to see. In contrast to the Metal Gear Solid series which has renewed its concept and its mechanical, Manhunt does nothing more than five years ago. Worse, the first episode seemed much less buggy than this. We therefore regret that the enemies are able to affect us through a wall or door but we simply forget after a race games, they hear us at the slightest opportunity to share trucide violently when one of their colleague to two meters, they are often nicely in our crosshairs of sight where they are hiding for several minutes ... The inconsistencies are everywhere, affecting all the immersion is so important in this type of game Yet final chapters offer some good moments of "manhunt", rather enigmatic in the end facing the avalanche of defects that could already exceeded the gameplay offered by Manhunt 2.


But the worst is yet to come. The game Rockstar is paying the luxury of being technically less successful than its predecessor. In addition to numerous display bugs, artificial intelligence and collision, causing various situations as unreal as laughable, difficult not to see the delay affecting technical Manhunt 2. Textures of a distressing poverty, modeling and other characters botched slowdowns finally intempestifs just bury a fair might have found four years ago. The interest of such a game is not in its realization, but that is not the problem. Inadmissible on PS2, barely more successful Wii is finally on PSP (support offering the least handy ...) that the finding is the least bitter. Forget referring again executions, with a filter cover misery spoil the fun of "discovery" of different ways to kill, especially since the arsenal is consistent.

Conclusion
Enjoying yet of a significant capital sympathy after a first episode of quality and arriving after a good touch lady Censorship, Manhunt 2 takes vigorously feet in the carpet because of its gameplay from another age, and a playability a camera system unspeakable, a scenario somewhat surprising and completely outdated technology. The reasons to be satisfied are little obvious, even if it appreciates the universe still crade and violence that transpire in the game, hearing if not visual. Manhunt 2 ultimately not be as hard-lovers atmosphere that disturb, requiring little on the form and substance. Few people, actually. Two choices to remain Rockstar continue to play on the controversial aspect of its title, but offering him a more current at all levels, or let her die in this series sadly very poor with this episode.