Parents' Guide to

Manhunt

By Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Incredibly gruesome -- not for kids of any age.

Game PlayStation 2 2004
Manhunt Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 20 parent reviews

reviewerofvideogames
reviewerofvideogames Adult
May 15, 2021
age 18+

Very Violent

This is the most violent video game in the entire world. Never let your children play this game because they can kill people in this game and maybe your child could become the killer. SO PLEASE DON'T LET THEM PLAY
Fanboy2
Fanboy2 Adult
March 26, 2020
age 18+
See all 20 parent reviews

What’s It About?

As the star of MANHUNT you are James Earl Cash, a criminal who is on death row. Following your supposed execution, you wake up to find you have been \"rescued\" by the \"director.\" The director's goal is simple: He wants to tape you assassinating men he has hired to hunt you down and kill you. You are beaten and abused by the director's men, then thrust out into a world of thugs, gangsters and psychotic killers who make every effort to hunt you down.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (20 ):
Kids say (41 ):

Words cannot really be used to describe Manhunt -- however, a few that come to mind are disturbing, sick, and scary. Not much else can be said for a game of which the entire focus is having the player assassinate people in the most gruesome way possible, all for the delight of a "director" who is taping your every move. If for any reason we needed to train kids to be expert killers, Manhunt could be the textbook.

Every aspect of a gruesome death is covered in slow-motion detail. The director is not happy with a simple death; instead you need to make the assassination bloodier, more cunning and more horrific to get the director's praise. Manhunt should make hardened criminals queasy, much less your kids. Keep your kids away from this one.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why a game like this might be made. What is the appeal? Why do you think people like to play games that are so violent? Are violent games always bad for people, or can they be a safe fantasy?

Game Details

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