However, Cooke stated that, 'Although the difference should not be exaggerated, the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game.' He added that the first title was already 'at the very top end' of what it considered acceptable for an 18 certificate, and that it came before the results of recent BBFC research were released. The first game in the series, Manhunt, was given an 18 rating by the BBFC when it was released back in 2003. However, in the case of Manhunt 2 'this has not been possible.' There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.'Ĭooke says that the decision is not one that the board has taken lightly, and that where possible, it considers cuts or modifications to the game to remove offensive material.

The reasoning behind the decision is that, according to BBFC director David Cooke, 'Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. The PSP version has not yet been submitted to the BBFC for a rating. However, both the PS2 and Wii versions have been refused a rating by the British Board of Film Classification, meaning they cannot be legally sold in the UK.

The highly anticipated upcoming title, which casts gamers in the role of doctor Daniel Lam-who offers himself as a guinea pig for a neurological weapons project-was due to go on sale in the country on the Wii, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 2 on July 13. Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2 has achieved the dubious honour of being only one of two games to be banned in the UK.

Manhunt 2 banned