Player 1

This week: Manhunt

PJ HRUSCHAK | CIN WEEKLY CONTRIBUTOR

Manhunt.

JUST THE FACTS

TITLE: Manhunt

SYSTEMS: Xbox, PC (PS2 previously released)

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1

DEVELOPER: Rockstar Games

COST: $49.99

ESRB RATING: "M" for Mature for intense violence, strong language, blood and gore

PJ'S LAST WORD: Manhunt is a rather well executed, artistic take on the standard stealth game that quickly becomes tedious and dull. Borrow or rent to save the bucks, and play it in the dark.

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I can't decide if I should say "thank goodness" or "what the hell?" whenever Rockstar Games releases a new title.

Rockstar takes a shady concept, something decent American citizens would never do, and makes an entertaining, kick-ass game out of it. For example, its successful Grand Theft Auto franchise includes murder, mass carnage, theft, vulgar language, reckless driving, and yes, the famed patronizing of hookers. But it's so fun.

Previously available only for the PS2, Manhunt has recently been released for Xbox and the PC, allowing even more gamers to perform illegal activities in the privacy of their home.

On one hand, Manhunt has a well-executed dark and creepy theme framing a decent stealth game. On the other, it's filled with flaws and tedious game play.

BE THE MAN

In Manhunt you play as convicted criminal James Earl Cash, awakened from a fake execution in a dingy room. You are instructed by a voice in an ear speaker to make your way out of the building and kill everyone you encounter, otherwise you're really dead.

Ever see The Running Man, starring Richard Dawson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura? Pretty much the same idea.

That voice in your ear is snuff film director Lionel Starkweather, who stages the combats so he can film the carnage for his bloodthirsty fans. If you do as he says, he may even set you free.

TALL, DARK AND SCARY

The game is well-designed, having the look and feel of security camera footage, complete with grainy imagery, horizontal feedback lines and shaky footage. Even the PC box art features a VHS tape sticker on the side.

Early in the game, Rockstar offers an appropriate suggestion: Turn off all your lights, shut the blinds and play in the dark. Not only will it help make the game that much more creepy, but it will also ensure you will have the bloodiest and most frightening nightmares ever.

Your main goal in Manhunt is to sneak up on various gang members and execute them in bloody, gory silence, then hide their bodies so you will not be discovered.

There are plenty of shadowy places to hide, including a crazy number of recessed doorways, rusty vehicles or scattered boxes. As a baddie turns his back, you have to sneak up behind him and silently take him down. If you can catch up to him before he turns around - which is often difficult, since you both walk at nearly the same speed - hold the attack button a few extra seconds to get an even bloodier kill.

You can also use a headset to hear Starkweather's voice in your ear or to make noise in the game to throw off the bad guys by speaking into the microphone.

As you progress through the game, you'll find increasingly effective weapons, starting with a plastic bag and wire, and working up to a chainsaw, shotgun and even a nail gun.

AVOID THE LATE FEES

Rockstar has made a pretty good stealth game with a well-conceived and executed artistic style that includes bonuses such as splattered blood close-ups and creative headset interaction.

But, like many of its other titles - such as Smuggler's Run and State of Emergency - it exhausts a good idea with repetition. Too much of a good thing is, well, not good.

The intolerably slow pace of the game and the overworked sneak-hide-sneak-hide-kill pattern kills the game's enjoyment after only a couple of hours.

If you enjoy stealth games and can stomach the premise, then you can rent or borrow Manhunt for a few days, return it and never have to play it again.

PJ Hruschak still has his original Atari 2600. E-mail him at player1@cincinnati.com.