is a stealth, horror-survival videogame developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games . It was originally released for the PlayStation 2 on November 18, 2003. The game was later released on the Xbox and PC on April 20, 2004.

A psychological horror title in which players are forced to participate in a series of snuff films, Manhunt was highly controversial among videogame critics at the time of its release, although it received positive responses from game reviewers for its atmosphere and depiction of violence.

Manhunt is notable for its tie-ins with Rockstar Games' flagship series, Grand Theft Auto, especially with games within the 3D Universe continuity. It is noted for its usage of Carcer City as its primary setting; a location originally mentioned in 2001's Grand Theft Auto III.

A sequel, Manhunt 2, was released in 2007, still containing references and relations to the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

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References and crossovers with the Grand Theft Auto series

GTA 2 features a series of gangs, one of which goes by the name The Loonies, they are described as ‘Mental Patients’ and have a very similar look to the Smileys gang from Manhunt. The cars they drive have a small smiley face on the top of them, similar to the simplistic design the Smileys use for their masks, or draw on walls. In Manhunt, the Smilieys are referred to as ‘Loonies’ by Starkweather, during the scene ‘Mouth of Madness’ The fact that they are also mental patients bears too much of a similarity to the ‘Loonies’ from GTA 2 to simply be a coincidence.

On the Lips 106 radio station, the host Andy states: "So I'm sitting here, reading the Liberty Tree, and it says 'In nearby Carcer City, a good day for law and order as police chief Gary Schaffer was cleared of corruption charges in a controversial decision by the court.' Let's hope those missing witnesses turn up safe and sound.” This is also a potential timeline conflict. Grand Theft Auto III is supposed to take place around 2001, yet at the journalists apartment in Manhunt we can see from the calendar on her kitchen wall that the events of Manhunt take place around November 2003. The only other explanation is that this is the second time that the Police Chief has found himself in trouble.

is supposed to take place around 2001, yet at the journalists apartment in Manhunt we can see from the calendar on her kitchen wall that the events of Manhunt take place around November 2003. The only other explanation is that this is the second time that the Police Chief has found himself in trouble. The bathroom which the player must jump down to during the third scene in Manhunt (Road to Ruin) was originally used in Grand Theft Auto III , where the player meet up for missions from Ray Machowski in Staunton Island.

, where the player meet up for missions from Ray Machowski in Staunton Island. When the player picks up a weapon, or other pickups, the sound that it produces is the same as in GTA III .

. Sometimes, a Hoods member might mention the Maibatsu Monstrosity.

Many weapons in GTA LCS also appeared in Manhunt. The weapons include a hand axe, baseball bat (aluminum), and a handgun. Some of them even appear to be the same weapon model as used in Manhunt, if not then certainly based on the same designs.

also appeared in Manhunt. The weapons include a hand axe, baseball bat (aluminum), and a handgun. Some of them even appear to be the same weapon model as used in Manhunt, if not then certainly based on the same designs. Another possible hint to Manhunt include a mission titled Snuff, in this mission the player has to eliminate members of the Sindacco Family that are putting pressure on a fellow Sindacco member who would like to become a member of the Leone Family. The turn coat in question is JD O'Toole, he runs a sex shop. During the mission he is watching from a nearby building and video tapes it all for his very own snuff movie, he calls Toni to express his gratitude for the clip.

A man calls up from Carcer City on Chatterbox FM.

Various pedestrians in the game can be heard claiming to have had previous occupations in Carcer City, such as 'I was a plumber in Carcer City!’

Some of the pedestrians have familiar Manhunt characters printed on their shirts. It can be hard to locate some of these pedestrians due to the fact that they seemingly only appear in specific locations and at certain hours of the day. These characters include The Smileys among beta gangs and characters that were cut from the final game including The Jury, The Scarecrow, and The Monkeys.

The criminals section of the Liberty City Police Department's website includes two characters that are listed as originating from Carcer City.

One of the statistics maintained in Grand Theft Auto IV is 'Distance traveled', under this statistic it is possible to achieve 'Liberty City to Carcer City' as the distance traveled. This is achieved fairly early into the game, no more than a few game hours, this further indicates that Carcer City is in close proximity to Liberty City.

While going to the bank in The Paleto Score, Michael De Santa says that his first score was in a small money deposit on the outskirts of Carcer City.

During The Last Team Standing Event Weekend, players who completed the event playlist would receive as a reward a Smileys’ “Please Stop Me” Manhunt throwback mask.

As part of The Diamond Casino Heist update, several new masks based on Manhunt gangs. This includes the Smileys, Innocentz, and Wardogs. Also included are the Piggsy and White Rabbit masks and an Ape mask based off a bonus mission called "Monkey See, Monkey Die!" in Manhunt.

Vehicles

Many vehicles from the GTA series appear in the Manhunt games, both as props and working vehicles.

However, there are also a few vehicle models in the Manhunt series, that while they look similar to various GTA vehicles, were not taken directly from the GTA series. These include as a step van that resembles the Boxville, a box truck comparable to the Yankee, and the Cerberus armored van, which is similar to the Securicar.

In Manhunt

The Journalist drives a red beta Blista Compact. However, perhaps due to an oversight, it changes to the final model during cutscenes.

The Police Cruisers used by the Carcer City Police Department are based on the Police Car from Vice City, with a black and white livery, an additional bullbar and different sirens.

with a black and white livery, an additional bullbar and different sirens. A beta Virgo appears in a picture in Starkweather’s Estate. The same picture later appeared in San Andreas in several safehouses.

in several safehouses. Wrecked Stallions can be found in the game.

Both the GTA III and the GTA Vice City rendition of the Pony appears as a wreck throughout the game.

and the rendition of the Pony appears as a wreck throughout the game. An Admiral makes a brief appearance during a cutscene.

A wrecked Coach from GTA Vice City appears at the beginning of the game.

appears at the beginning of the game. A Linerunner wreck from GTA III appears at Denton's City Junkyard.

In Manhunt 2

The Trashmaster from GTA III is used at the beginning of the game to escape from Dixmor Asylum. However, it has a different front fascia, which makes it more similar to a Ford Cargo rather than a Mack MR.

is used at the beginning of the game to escape from Dixmor Asylum. However, it has a different front fascia, which makes it more similar to a Ford Cargo rather than a Mack MR. The Police Car reappears in identical form as in the first game. It also has a civilian green variant based on it, which can be found in a parking lot of the TVMK Studio.

Mule trucks from GTA III can be found throughout the game. Some of them have company logos on their sides.

can be found throughout the game. Some of them have company logos on their sides. The Kuruma can be seen in some chapters of the game. It also has an unique black variant used by the Watchdogs gang.

The Blista appears during the game's introduction and later in Wooddale. It has slightly different front fascia, somewhat resembling a Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The Bloodhounds gang uses Patriots from GTA Vice City as their transport.

as their transport. The Burrito from GTA Vice City can be found in the game. It also has a variant with a camo paintjob used by the Bloodhounds.

can be found in the game. It also has a variant with a camo paintjob used by the Bloodhounds. The Enforcer can be seen during a chapter used by Project Militia soldiers.

A grey Stinger from GTA Vice City appears in a house's driveway.

appears in a house's driveway. The Greenwood can be spotted a few times during the game. It also has a wrecked variant found in the Sewer System.

Several Admirals can be found at an Auto Shop.

The Voodoo appears outside the Strip Club and Fetish Dungeon.

A Linerunner from GTA Vice City appears at the RSV Gas Station.

appears at the RSV Gas Station. The Reefer is docked at the jetty of Blackwell Island.

The Maverick is seen several times during the game, used by the police, the Bloodhounds, and the Project Militia.

General

Many models for objects that enhance the scenery can be found around 3D Universe games are shared with Manhunt. This includes, but is not limited to, chairs, tables, flower beddings, buildings and billboards. This is done to maintain a certain level of consistency between games due to them all being in the same universe.

Footstep sounds in Manhunt are identical to those in the 3D Universe games.

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