digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gaming_news/Manhunt_2_gets_the_ban_hammer_in_the_UK’;Manhunt 2 has been reviewed by its first ratings board, the British Classification board, otherwise know as the BBFC has decreed that Rockstar, the developers of the game, cannot release Manhunt 2 in the UK on either the Wii or PS2. Effectively, banning this game means that it cannot be legally supplied anywhere in the United Kingdom. The only game previously banned prior to the board’s review of Manhunt 2 was Carmadeggon back in 1997.

More Inside David Cooke from the BBFC has said in a statement that;

Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly, Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Boards published Guidelines.

In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing.

Rockstar/Take Two may still appeal the decision or decide to cut the game back to get it on sale. The OFLC has yet to say anything on the game but it’s more than likely they will give the game a RC, with the Refused Classification rating meaning the game is also banned from legal reatail here. However, it’s a matter of wait and see, so vooks will keep you posted on the issue in the meantime.

Source: MCV