Manhunt
Postal might have been gruesome, but at its core the game is black comedy. Manhunt, however, presents a shockingly brutal and realistic portrayal of murder. The game’s protagonist is an escapee of death row, having been implicated in the production of snuff movies, and while the plot in itself is twisted, it is the manner with which players were able to horrifically execute NPCs that attracted attention from censorship factions.
Players are able to choose from varying levels of brutality when performing execution finishes, the most violent of which result in disturbing levels of violence and gore, with weaponry ranging from razor wire to plastic bags. These grim executions are encouraged via a star system that is only awarded when the executions are performed.
[zergpaid]Critics of the game were quick to point out that there was a purpose behind Manhunt’s cruelty and barbarous death animations. Rather than mere murder simulation for entertainment, Manhunt attempts to shock players into comprehending the inhumanity of their actions, and the game was also lauded for its slick and effective examination of the human psyche.
Even so, the sociological and philosophical reasoning behind Manhunt‘s excessive violence wasn’t appreciated by everyone. Indeed, the game was banned in both New Zealand and Australia, and was later involved in a lengthy court case after being blamed for the death of a British youth in 2004.