If we, as gamers, keep persuading non-gamers that our hobby is respectable and intellectually challenging, then maybe we won't be treated like children and told what we can't play.

The gameplay still remains the same as it was in the first game, stealth, hid in the shadows, approach to your victim without been detected and execute him. Of course games aren't the cultural equal of film, a much older medium - but they might well be one day. Manhunt 2 is a huge improvement over the first game, with a more polished gameplay, visuals and a much darker story.

But equally, and increasingly, there are games that deal with adult themes of love, loss, violence and death in emotionally powerful ways. This Manhunt is much shorter than the first. The story is much better than the original, but was kinda obvious to me (for the most part) after the first few levels. Just as there are cartoon films for children, there are simple, colourful games. Manhunt 2 is an above average game, but not nearly as exciting and 'something different' as the first Manhunt. What we need is a change in the way games are viewed in this country - a widespread recognition that games can provide a broad range of cultural and artistic experiences. But adults, much more capable of finding out what a film or game contains and more able to withstand peer pressure to watch or play, should be able to decide for themselves. Minors should be protected from material that involves extreme violence and strong horror. So when the BBFC says allowing the game to be released would 'involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors', I agree, up to a point. As an affiliate of Amazon and other companies, ads & affiliate links on this blog allow us to earn income from qualifying actions and purchases (at no extra cost to you). Particularly as the game is for the PlayStation 2, PSP and Wii - three relatively inexpensive platforms that are incredibly popular with pre-teens. But in the current environment, where games retailers are widely considered unreliable enforcers of age restrictions and parents too often see games as toys and ignore the massive '18' logo on the cover, there is no way of keeping such a horribly violent game out of the hands of children. In fact, Amazon is currently the only place you can still legally buy Manhunt 2 in its original, uncut, AO rated form.

Manhunt 2 amazon