Although Rockstar catches heat for its controversial Grand Theft Auto franchise, the 2003 PlayStation 2 game, Manhunt, stands out as its most devious creation. Gritty, excessively gruesome and intense, this twisted adventure adds new meaning to "survival horror". This year, the company looks to trump the original with Manhunt 2, which features more blood, plenty of homicidal freaks and nail biting cut scenes. Providing Rockstar London weaves an intriguing story, this could be one of the year's best games.

This time around, gamers step into the psychotic life of Dr. Daniel Lamb, a scientist who falls victim to an underground experiment known as the Pickman Project. After losing his funding, Dr. Pickman continues his masterpiece with the belief that he's only a few steps from cashing in. Daniel agrees to be a guinea pig, and in the process goes insane. Committed to Dixmore Asylum (where Pickman dumps experimental rejects), Lamb sits in a cell for six years, growing crazier but having moments of clarity that show valuable memory nuggets from his past, including co-workers and his loving family. At the same time, he befriends a weirdo named Leo, a fellow inmate that talks of escape. These conversations become a reality when lightning strikes the asylum, zapping the electricity and opening all the doors. With Leo's encouragement, Daniel sets out to locate everyone responsible for making him bonkers, thus embarking upon a murderous rampage.

Much like in the original game, Manhunt 2 forces players into the shadows with the hope of sneaking past enemies undetected. At the same time, they'll use weapons to execute their foes. Most weapons highlight three types of executions, designated by color and displayed by arrows that appear behind the victim. A Hasty execution (white arrows) occurs almost immediately, a Violent one (yellow arrows) happens after a few seconds and a Gruesome execution (red arrows) plays out after waiting several seconds. The longer players wait, the better the chances of viewing the Gruesome execution. On the flip side, waiting too long may prove fatal, as the non-player character may turn around and attack.

Initially, gamers come across a syringe, presumably filled with some life ending substance. Executions include a simple jab to the neck, the Hasty execution and the shocking Gruesome one, which entails jabbing the needle into someone's face. Later on, Daniel comes in contact with other toys, including a shotgun, axe, sledgehammer, baseball bat and a makeshift club. The glass shard proves especially devious, as he (in the Gruesome execution) stabs his victim in an eyeball and then slits their throat.

Manhunt 2 doesn't take liberties with the gore, so expect to see brains splattering against walls, eyeballs erupt with blood and gaping throats spewing crimson. In addition, the game includes environmental executions, moments in the story where Daniel has the option of offing characters using some object in the environment. In one scene, he bashes a telephone over a scumbag's head, chokes him with the cord (while dragging him around the room) and then breaks his neck. In another, he pushes a thug into an electrical box head first, which causes the guy's melon to explode into chunks of meat.

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