The much ballyhooed release of the delayed-due-to-censorship Manhunt 2 is looking like something of a lead balloon. Too bad considering the original Manunt is something of a twisted masterpiece; a truly horrifying game that slyly explores violence and entertainment with real depth.

CNN.com’s review — more of a casual-gamer POV:

To be clear, “Manhunt 2″ disappoints not because it’s controversial. In fact, Rockstar Games’ infamous “Grand Theft Auto'’ games are very entertaining digital diversions even if you strip away the mature theme — but there’s little substance to be found in this “Manhunt”‘ sequel.

The Onion has this to say:

If only the reason for all the mayhem were slightly more compelling. Rockstar’s usual cutting cultural commentary is absent, making “Manunt 2″ feel more like a modest game than its reputation indicates.

IGN gives it a decent 7.5, but also has this to say:

That actually brings me to a serious point, which is that you don’t have the same sense of malice or risk that you had from the first title. In the original Manhunt, you felt a palpable sense of danger around possibly every single corner, and it was one of those situations where you needed to beware of each step you made, because there wasn’t always a shadow that you could step into. In “Manhunt 2,” not only can you create your own shadows by breaking some lights, you can even avoid detection and kills thanks to ambient noise from machines or loud music. As a result, you never really get the sense that you are one second from being descended upon by three or more deranged or perverted thugs amped on adrenaline and drugs that want to pound you into the ground simply because that’s how they get their kicks. You have more of a sense of being able to move freely across each environment, picking and choosing when you’ll eliminate each enemy at will. What’s more, you don’t have that fear that the gangs will find you, because the AI just doesn’t feel nearly as relentless or as dangerous.

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