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ROCKSTAR ARE A COMPANY that seemingly likes to push the boundaries, with Rockstar North spearheading that push. With their ground-breaking Grand Theft Auto titles they have let gamers perform some heinous acts whilst making their games hugely fun and wildly popular. Forbidden acts such as setting people on fire or running them down in a car do not carry the horror they should do when seen in a Rockstar game. They seem to know how to take very adult material and treat it with maturity. And more importantly make it fun.

So it is with great anticipation that we look forward to the release in New Zealand this week of Manhunt, the new game from Rockstar North. Part of what fuels our anticipation is from what little they've told us: "Manhunt explores the depths of human depravity in a vicious, sadistic tale of urban horror." What this quite means we're not exactly sure but given the premise of the game we're expecting quite a bit of violence, although in a more targetted way than Grand Theft Auto's rampages. If Rockstar can make this human depravity fun at the same time they may have another winner on their hands.

You play as James Earl Cash, a man on death row given a repireve, although not a happy one. Instead of instant death Cash is placed in the man-made city of Carcer City, a city full of gangs just itching to bring death to Cash. All this for the benefit of the mysterious Director in what turns out to be a brutal bloodsport, almost like an updated version of The Running Man. Our enjoyment of that movie has us looking forward to playing through Manhunt even more. "Manhunt has allowed us to explore and invent new gameplay and unique story concepts that will change the way people play video games," said Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North. "The game is designed to get under your skin and never let up throughout the whole experience."

It is this feeling of paranoia that we're looking forward to experiencing, the feeling of being hunted. When Cash initially arrives in Carcer City he is weaponless. With a whole city out to kill him it would be unwise to step out of the shadows unarmed, so stealth will play a major part in the game. While stealth is getting on the verge of being over-done in games (like cel shading) we're expecting that Rockstar North will be implementing some ideas that can make it fresh again. From the screens and movies we have seen it appears that the presentation of the game could also contribute to some of the paranoia. From the angle of view to the use of cctv cameras the feeling of claustrophobia pervades. Combine this with sound that promises to contribute to this feeling and Manhunt is shaping up to be quite an atmospheric game.

As well as their penchant for the darker side of society, Rockstar North also possesses quite a dark sense of humour. Witness the passing comments from pedestrians in Grand Theft Auto, or the bouncing car after picking up a hooker. It works best when that humour is combined with even darker material, so we can probably expect a little light relief in Manhunt to balance out the darkness. Already we've seen screenshots of gangs wearing smiley face masks, and even one in a bunny outfit. How this exactly this fits in with the "vicious, sadistic tale" is still to be seen.

Rockstar North have made us fans with their Grand Theft Auto series. The impact of that series on games will influence what Rockstar, and particularly Rockstar North, release. While we're sure that Manhunt will not contain the same open design or playability that that series has there is every chance that it will be a game that is just as vital and rewarding. Certainly there is a chance for the game to fail. Ambitious games such as this do not always succeed, especially where they rely so much on atmosphere and Rockstar may be taking a risk with Manhunt. Will that risk pay off? Look out shortly for our full review.

Show me the screenshots!