Super-violent game Manhunt returns to PlayStation after a decade

Rockstar Games announced that its controversially violent Manhunt is coming to the PlayStation Network next week as a PS2 Classic. It will release on Tuesday, May 14 for the price of $9.99.

The stealth/psychological-horror game follows Death Row inmate James Earl Cash, who plays a game of kill-or-be-killed with maniacal snuff film director Lionel Starkweather. The title earned more than its share of criticism when it released nearly 10 years ago for PlayStation 2 and one year later for PC and Xbox. The Chicago Tribune called it "easily the most violent game ever made" but added that it "is the Clockwork Orange of video games, holding your eyes open so as to not miss a single splatter — asking you, is this really what you enjoy watching?"

At the time, though, U.S. Representative Joe Baca said that it was "telling kids how to kill someone, and it uses vicious, sadistic, and cruel methods to kill."

Manhunt even disappeared from store shelves when it was suspected of triggering a homicide — but then, we know how the media likes to run with that angle. Police didn't find any hard evidence that it was to blame.

The story of the game's release is relevant, though, considering the shooting in Newtown in December and the renewed outcry against video games — and deeper study into them — that has resulted.

Rockstar also mentioned that its game adaptation of The Warriors will be joining Manhunt soon on PSN.

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