British Board of Film Classification Holds Manhunt 2 Unclassified: Destructoid Responds

It goes without saying, but Jim Sterling of Destructoid.com is really angry that the British Board of Film Classification has refused to classify Manhunt 2. The move effectively bans the game in the United Kingdom, and thus the U.K. is another country to refuse its citizens a chance to play what is fast becoming one of the most controversial games of all time.

But what is so controversial about it? This is one of the question Sterling poses to the BBFC in his letter, to which they make an interestingly stale response.

However, their press release sheds more light on their actions:

“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,” the BBFC press release states. “There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.”

You know, this sounds like every single violent video game ever created. This makes me want to get this game more than anything else, actually. Maybe this whole thing is just a marketing tool?

If it is, it’s absolutely, evil brilliance.