ESRB rates 'AO' version of Manhunt 2 for PC

by David Hinkle { Aug 24th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Violent game poster child Manhunt 2 is headed to Windows PC according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board's online database. It appears to contain slightly different content from that found in 2008's M-rated console releases, as the PC entry has been rated "AO - Adults Only." Manhunt 2 initially had an AO rating in the States, but it was later changed to Mature (thus allowing it onto store shelves).

Will the PC game feature all of the stuff that was deemed too mature for consoles? We've put in word to Rockstar for clarification and will update the story when we hear something.

Tags: esrb, manhunt, manhunt-2, rockstar

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Aug 24th 2009 2:04PM

i had this game for the PSP, what a bad sequel in my opinion. They cut out what made the game great.

If they sell this game for like 20 bucks then i'll download it no prob, need specs though, my comp is old

Tiptup300 @ Aug 24th 2009 11:26PM

I would have bought the game for PC if it were AO. Just to show that they show be a viable option for game developers.

David @ Aug 24th 2009 2:04PM

the violence and gore in the manhunt games are nothing compared to condemned 2.

Platinum_Skeet @ Aug 24th 2009 2:41PM

Meh the Wii controls put in the spotlight from the beginning it was bound to get an AO rating..

Marrvia @ Aug 24th 2009 6:18PM

I haven't played Condemned 2, but there is no way it is more violent. Manhunt 2 is all about killing people in the most violent way possible. Decapitating people with a machete as they scream in agony with each strike until there heads come off. You can even do this to police officers in the game.

If any game deserves an AO rating, it's Manhunt 2. Not GTA:SA with the hidden sex mini game that is impossible to even see unless you purposely look for it.

BTW, I have nothing against the violence in Manhunt 2, I'm just pointing it out. It's less violent than Saw & Hostel movies.

The Baron @ Aug 24th 2009 2:08PM

A PS2 port from 2007?

I'd say something about gameplay being more important than graphics, but, it's Manhunt 2.

BlackDove @ Aug 24th 2009 2:09PM

You know, I'll play it just due to the AO rating.

I wish all games were AO.

MystileArmor @ Aug 24th 2009 2:17PM

Sorry to hear you were cryogenically frozen in the late 50's. I'd be happy to inform you that nowadays porn is a somewhat accepted category of media.

MystileArmor @ Aug 24th 2009 2:19PM

Sorry to hear you were cryogenically froze in the late 50's. I'd be happy to inform you that nowadays porn is a somewhat accepted category of media.

Quiggy @ Aug 24th 2009 2:31PM

Yeah, I'm pretty pissed at the lack of gore in Super Mario Galaxy and LittleBigPlanet. It really ruined both of those games.

Dave @ Aug 24th 2009 2:45PM

Disappointed by fake naked-Mario codes much?

samfish (uses the Joystiq Comment-Kill filter!) @ Aug 24th 2009 2:45PM

GET OUT OF MY REPLY CHAIN, you...you...thread hijacking hobos, before I...hmm... BEFORE I CHOP OFF YOUR DICKS AND SHIT DOWN YOUR NECKS!

Anthology @ Aug 24th 2009 6:05PM

You sure are edgy and cool.
Dark and mysterious too, I bet.

Einhanderkiller @ Aug 24th 2009 6:26PM

AO-rated Peggle would rock.

samfish (uses the Joystiq Comment-Kill filter!) @ Aug 24th 2009 2:09PM

Somehow I doubt this will make the game suck any less.

Gibbeynator @ Aug 24th 2009 2:14PM

Of course it won't. But it's bound to stir up a ton of trouble with the mainstream media, which translates into more sales for Rockstar.

Rockstar sure knows how to sell a bad game.

MystileArmor @ Aug 24th 2009 2:18PM

what the fuck? how did that end up there? that was meant for Blackdove.

MystileArmor @ Aug 24th 2009 2:21PM

Holy shitballs Joystiq....
I give up. Sorry guys.

samfish (uses the Joystiq Comment-Kill filter!) @ Aug 24th 2009 2:24PM

"But it's bound to stir up a ton of trouble with the mainstream media, which translates into more sales for Rockstar."

That's not really what happened last time, though.
As I recall, they whined about it for about 2 days a week or two before it came out and then forgot about it.
And then the game flopped anyways.

MORAL! (most) People won't buy a controversial game if it's shit.

Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 24th 2009 2:27PM

My question is, where is everyone's Avatars on here going? Is James Cameron stealing them for his movie or something? I see more white boxes on here every day.

Quiggy @ Aug 24th 2009 2:32PM

Dammit comment system! That was meant for Blackdove.

Dave @ Aug 24th 2009 2:53PM

WTF? JOYSTIQ FIX YOUR DAMN COMMENT SYSTEM!!

Anthology @ Aug 24th 2009 6:06PM

The fuck? Good job Joystiq.
My other comment was directed at Black-whatever up there.

Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Aug 24th 2009 2:09PM

It's AO because you can actually brutally dismember the GFW Logo.

Mr.Chrome @ Aug 24th 2009 2:15PM

'AO' FTW!

Tank @ Aug 24th 2009 2:21PM

Awesome, I played the original on the PC, and I'm glad the sequel is coming too...I was mildly considering picking up the Wii version, now I'm glad my patience has paid off.

Destron @ Aug 24th 2009 2:22PM

Right, because teenagers suddenly experience a positive morality change between the ages of 17 and 18.

Drew @ Aug 24th 2009 3:02PM

I hadn't considered that. +1 Senatorship for you, sir.

clanboru15 @ Aug 25th 2009 10:05AM

You didn't?

MinimumWageNinja @ Aug 24th 2009 2:23PM

I love Rockstar Games, I even got the GTA IV key to the city mailed to my house (mmm, sweet collectables gaga). However, Manhunt 2 even as a huge fan was somewhat of a letdown. I loved the idea behind it, but overall it felt like it was missing a lot things technically. I probably would still buy the PC version if its the originally intended version because let's face it, the versions we got weren't only technically flawed but the guilty pleasures were censored out leaving almost no reason to play it at all. Now if the PC version is the original vision, it gives some evening out to be looked into at least for me. Most people I know hate the game.

Phish @ Aug 24th 2009 2:42PM

I remember emailing the Joystiq podcast about this..or maybe it was another one..

I said on day one that rockstar should've ported it and released an "uncut" version.
whatever podcast it was said they probably wouldn't because it wouldn't be financially viable. SUCK IT (insert name of podcast here) whichever one it was!

Ravnos @ Aug 24th 2009 3:17PM

This game wasn't nearly as bad as everyone made/makes it out to be. It's far from great, but I played the uncensored PSP version and it was a decent stealth action game. Gamespot and IGN both rated it at 7.5, and I can agree with that rating.

The PC version is kind of lagging behind, though. This game is almost 2 years old at this point. It's a bit ridiculous to think that it took them 2 years to port it to the PC, so why the wait?

Mr Khan @ Aug 24th 2009 3:31PM

It would still be banned from store shelves though, wouldn't it? Or do the stores treat PC games differently in that regard.

But the problem of retailer shelf-space never really materialized. Neither Nintendo or Sony would license the AO games for their platforms, as i recall (Microsoft won't either, but it wasn't for them)

Gibbeynator @ Aug 24th 2009 3:43PM

I'm fairly certain AO games can't be sold in stores. But, then again, digital distribution is a whole different entity. You can pick up an AO version of Fahrenheit on D2D.

eldee @ Aug 24th 2009 4:09PM

It's up to the retailer. AO items can be sold in the US unless there are municipal or state laws regulating it.. there is no federal regulation.

you obviously won't find it in walmart, however.

eldee @ Aug 24th 2009 4:08PM

thanks, but no thanks, rockstar. you can't treat PC users like second class citizens and give us a Playstation 2 game two years too late and expect us to help you make up your lost revenues. Perhaps if you'd have released it BACK THEN with the AO rating, a lot of people who didn't want the neutered PS2 version would've supported you.

Too little, too late.