BBFC Reject Revised Manhunt 2

The BBFC have rejected the revised version of Manhunt 2. Rockstar's appeal for the initial rejection was suspended, pending the outcome of the classification for the revised version.

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC had this to say:

“We recognise that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version. The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the ‘execution kills’, but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature.

“We did make suggestions for further changes to the game, but the distributor has chosen not to make them, and as a result we have rejected the game on both platforms. The decision on whether or not an appeal goes ahead lies with the distributor"

This comes after the game was allowed to be released, alebiet with the AO rating, meaning it will not be stocked by "family-friendly" retailers such as Blockbuster and Walmart.

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Guitars for Guitar Hero 3 revealed

Activision and Neversoft revealed the 3 different guitars that will be available to buy alongside Guitar Hero 3.

PS2 owners are given a black guitar, Wii owners a white one, with a Wiimote docking station. Whereas 360 and PS3 owners are given identical white designs. All the guitars will be wireless this time round, and will allow players to change the faceplate for customisation, rockstar style.

The game is out by the end of the year.

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Rockstar respond to BBFC's bannage

Rockstar have responded to the BBFC's decision to ban upcoming PS2 and Wii game, Manhunt 2. The game also recieved the highest form of censorship in the states (Adult Only), which means it will not be stocked by 'family-friendly' stores such as Walmart.

Rockstar had this to say:

"We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision.

"Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers.

"We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended. We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."

It's interesting to see that the US hasn't banned the game. Is it because they have more lenient censorship regulations, or is it because the BBFC are being too harsh on Rockstar (which they categorically deny), from past experience and media furore surrounding Rockstars' hit releases such as the GTA series, the original Manhunt, and most recently Canis Canem Edit (Bully).

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BBFC Ban Manhunt 2 from UK

The BBFC has rejected Manhunt 2, which was due to be released in July on both PS2 and Nintendo Wii.

The decision was taken by the Director and the Presidential Team of Sir Quentin Thomas, Lord Taylor of Warwick and Janet Lewis-Jones.

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC had this to say:

“Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board’s published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. 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. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

“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. That work was classified ‘18’ in 2003, before the BBFC’s recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.”

“Against this background, the Board’s carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public.”
Under the terms of the Video Recordings Act distributors have the right to appeal the Board’s decision.

This is the first game to be rejected by the BBFC since Carmageddon back in 1997, and that decision was later overturned on appeal.

Rockstar have yet to comment on the BBFC's decision.
Rockstar have now responded to the decision

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Guitar Hero 3 details and wireless guitars

Activision revealed a host of details for Guitar Hero 3, which is due out in the autumn on PS2, PS3, Wii and 360.

Firstly, the guitars will be wireless, and have removable faceplates, as well as a new button colour design. 360, PS3 and Wii owners will be treated to a Gibson Les Paul design, whereas PS2 owners will get a Kramer designed guitar.

Also of note is that the game will now include head-to-head online play, which is sure to delight all those who were expecting the 360 Guitar Hero 2 to include that. Also making a return is the obvious downloadable song packs, hopefully this time they will be more reasonably priced, and include some more imaginative songs.

An initial song list has been revealed, and rockers may be happy to hear that this time many songs will be the actual originals and not covers (* denotes covers)

• Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
• Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
• Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
• The Metal (by Tenacious D)
• My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
• Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
• Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
• School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)*
• Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)*
• Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)*
• Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)*

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MetaReview: Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

Almost 3 months since its American release and almost year since its Japanese release, this sequel to one of the longest running franchises hits European stores this week.

I myself am not too keen on all the turn-based battles and have avoided all iterations of the franchise, but from what reviewers have been giving this game, it looks like this is one of the best Final Fantasy releases ever. Maybe I'll have to dip in and give this a try to see what all the fuss is about.

Eurogamer (100/100) "It's not hard to see us looking back in five years time and seeing FFXII as a pivotal, changing moment in how RPGs are designed; a game which drew on the experience of Final Fantasy's branches into tactical strategy and massively multiplayer, as well as on the more mature storytelling of other mediums, and folded it back into the number series, to wonderful result."

1UP (95/100) "From beginning to end, this is the most complex Final Fantasy game yet, and it's just as evident in its plot as in its mechanics."

IGN (95/100) "A fantastic RPG. It blows all of its PS2 competition this year right out of the water and is among the all time elite role-players ever made for the system. "Kingdom Hearts," "Devil Summoner," "Xenosaga III," "Tales of the Abyss"... none of them are on the same level as Square Enix's bold and riveting move in a new direction."

Gamespot (90/100) "There's still a disconnect between what happens during gameplay and what happens during cutscenes, but by integrating the combat and exploration, Final Fantasy has come one step closer to being more immersive than before."

Final Word: Essential

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MetaReview: God Hand (PS2)

The last release from the renowned Clover Studios, comes in the form of a God Hand, a tongue-in-cheek action game. You play as Jean, whose hand was chopped off by a mercenary. He comes across the legendary 'God Hand', which attaches to his arm and gives him super-powers, which helps him inflict massive damage onto his enemies using this new found strength.

1UP (80/100) "Yes, other brawlers may perfectly replicate the real-life trajectory of a fist making its way to a face. But God Hand takes you back to those days when you were a little kid in Chuck E. Cheese's. And that's far more satisfying -- and impressive."

Eurogamer (80/100) "It's really, really good gaming, assuming you don't let the game push you around like a playful big brother with little a superiority complex. God Hand just wants to have fun. And so do we."

GameSpot (80/100) "God Hand's pure focus on ridiculous martial arts brawls makes this simple action game fun and challenging. Bonus points for the wild sense of humor and surf rock soundtrack."

IGN (30/100) "God Hand quickly becomes a boring, annoying and frustrating game."

Final Word: Recommended

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MetaReview: Okami (PS2)

With the PAL release of Okami having just passed last Friday, this is probably going to be one of the last true gems of the console. It's a shame that the developers, Clover Studios, have disbanded, as the quality of their games have truly been commendable.

With the likes of the many Viewtiful Joe iterations, and their final game God Hand, the studio showed us that differentiation can be rewarding for both the developers and the players. Okami has recieved critical acclaim across the board, with the game being touted akin to Zelda.

Eurogamer (100/100) "Right from the start it conjures an atmosphere of being something special, but to keep that level of quality up consistently over 60 hours ensures that this will be a game that will be talked about for years to come...A work of art, you might say."

IGN (91/100) "a game that any self-respecting PlayStation 2 owner should pick up simply because you've never played anything like it before."

Gamespot (90/100) "Okami's stunning good looks give it the appearance of a cross between a cartoon and a traditional Japanese ink-and-watercolor painting, and perhaps best of all, the game keeps going and going for much longer than most other games like it."

NTSC-UK (80/100) "Okami is gorgeous but it is also an epic game that sucks you in so completely that hours pass unnoticed as you roam the massive landscape. [JPN Import]"

Final Word: Essential

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Vice City Stories for PS2

In todays most unsurprising news, Rockstar have revealed that GTA: Vice City Stories will be released on the PS2 on March 9th in Europe.

"Since its release in October, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the PSP system has garnered praise and acclaim worldwide. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories offers PlayStation 2 system owners a big screen experience of the same storyline and missions, featuring the open-world, innovative gameplay, incredible production values and diverse music that are the trademarks of the Grand Theft Auto franchise."

The game should be budget-priced, much like Liberty City Stories.

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25 Essential PS2 Games

The Third Part of the Essentials, the PS2. The first of the last-gen systems, which still dominates the market. You would have thought everyone would have bought a PS2 by now, but yet there are still people entering the PS2 market today. It is the format with the most games, and the biggest third-party support because of it's huge user-base, but it shouldn't be too hard narrowing it down to 25 Essential titles.

• Canis Canem Edit (Bully)
• Devil May Cry
• Frequency
• Gitaroo Man
• God of War
• Gran Turismo 4
• Grand Theft Auto: Trilogy
• Gregory Horror Show
• Guitar Hero
• Ico
• Jak & Daxter
• Kingdom Hearts
• Manhunt
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
• Okami
• Onimusha 3
• Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
• Psyvariar
• Rez
• R-Type Final
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3
• Virtua Fighter 4: Evo
• We Love Katamari

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Top Ten Games of 2006

I did a top ten films one, so it would only be right to do one for games as well. There were so many great games, and it's very hard to choose, but the main highlights of the year for me are (again in alphabetical order.

Animal Crossing (DS)
Very addictive game an excellently suited for the DS. The touch screen makes it easy to control and select items, as that's what you'll be doing for most of the game as you try and amass a fortune and build your house. The inclusion of online play makes it much easier to communicate and trade with fellow Crossers compared to the Gamecube version.

Canis Canem Edit (PS2)
Rockstar show us how to play nice and stick up for the geeks in this kid-style GTA. With NO blood, NO sex, NO drugs, NO knives and NO guns. So next time, the press should actually play the game before slagging it off. It's actually quite a sophisticated game, and if you break the rules, you get punished, much like real school - so maybe kids playing this game will learn something decent.

Guitar Hero (PS2)
I'm not really a rock person, but found this game highly enjoyable, and it has to be the most innovative game of the year for me (bar the Wii games). Although Guitar Hero 2 was also released this year, in my opinion, the former had the better songs. It's a great pick-up and play title, although you'll need to put it down after each song to rest your arms!

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
This has got to be the best launch title ever. The game itself is huge, and I'm talking huge. Ive played it for just under ten hours and have barely scratched the surface of it. And the Wii's controllers make it a perfect combination. From the fishing, to the sword-fighting, it all goes hand in hand. Its a beautifully crafted game, with great visuals and sounds as you would expect from a Zelda title.

Lego Star Wars 2 (360)
I'm not a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise, but having played the first Lego Star Wars game, enjoyed it a great deal, and the same goes for this one. With it's cutesy graphics and simple gameplay mechanism, it's great fun to play - especially in co-op mode.

Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
Amazing artistic style, and graphics. Possibly one of the best PS2 games ever made. The game itself has a simple premise - kill each colossus by finding its weak spot, but every time you're met with a new colossus, each one as big as the last, you can't help but feel a sense of overshadowment, as the sense of scale and size of the enemy is absolutely bewildering each time.

Tony Hawk's Project 8 (360)
Back to basics in this years outing of the Hawk's franchise, and it's certainly done it a load of good. No more silly and pointless side missions, BMXing, or driving cars - just pure skating at its best.

Viva Pinata (360)
You'd expect a developer like Nintendo to release a game about gardening, but here you have Rare, releasing their best game in years. If you play it for a bit, you'll instantly get hooked, seriously. You'll want to build more gardens, in different styles, just to attract a variation of Pinatas. And when you get deep into the game, you'll want to check out online encyclopedias to find out the ways to attract different species and cross-breeding and the like. Splendid game.

We Love Katamari (Ps2)
If you tell someone what this game is about, you'll get a guaranteed laugh, and for those that haven't played it, you'll probably laugh as well. The game sees you (a small alien) rolling around a ball and collecting items - the more items you collect, the bigger your ball gets, in turn allowing you to collect bigger items. I can't believe that nobody thought of such a game earlier! The actual story behind We Love Katamari is pretty far fetched, but enjoy it for what it is and you'll love Katamari as well.

Wii Sports (Wii)
The simplest game you'll ever play. That's what makes this game so amazing. Even if you've never played games, all you need to do is pick up the Wiimote, and you'll get the hang of it in less than a minute. And it comes bundled with 5 games, all of which are multiplayer, so you can whip out your Wiimotes every time someones around and have a boxing duel or tennis tournament. And best of all, it comes bundled free with the machine! Nice one Nintendo!

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