Chapter 1 - Tips and Hints

Although Manhunt 2 is primarily a stealth game, it’s certainly possible to play as a straight up action game. Possible is a relative term, though. Until your character locates a firearm, attempting to muscle your way through levels will be extremely difficult if not nearly impossible in some cases. Manhunt 2 is built for stealth. From the gory, "blurry" executions to the patterned enemy patrols, it pays off to remain patiently in shadows, utilize lures, and sneak up on enemies while attracting as little attention as possible.

Unless you’re attempting the game on "Insane" difficulty, you’ll have the benefit of the radar, which will certainly prove invaluable over the course of the game. The radar indicates enemy position, which direction enemies are facing, enemy status, and ambient noises, both how much noise you’re creating and the noise level of other characters or objects.

Yellow enemies are idle. These enemies are standing at their post or currently moving on their patrol patterns—these enemies are essentially unaware of your presence. Orange enemies are suspicious. Perhaps you’ve made a sound, tossed a lure to make a noise, or the particularly enemy may have even seen a glimpse of you. Orange status enemies will divert off their patrol pattern to investigate the noise. Tougher "hunter" enemies will check shadows; if you’re inside, you may have to complete a button combination mini-game to avoid detection.

Red status enemies are aware of your presence and location. You’ve been spotted and are potentially in big trouble. If it’s just a single enemy, you shouldn’t have much trouble battling the enemy with melee strikes. But if multiple enemies detect you, it’s a difficult situation to overcome through melee fighting alone.

You can turn red status enemies back into orange by running away and taking cover in shadows or finding a good hiding spot and waiting it out. It’s not always effective but can work in certain circumstances. Enemies are persistent, though, and fairly quick and can maintain pursuit even if you’re running away at top speed. Obviously you should avoid making multiple enemies aware of your location…unless of course you’re carrying a firearm. If that’s the case then ignoring stealth and going straight-up action is a viable tactic.

A shadow keeps you hidden from enemies and allows you to watch movement patterns so you can sneak up and perform an execution.

Shadows are your best friend. When entering a new area, immediately scan around for dark areas. You may find safety in a corner or behind a dumpster. Your health bar turns blue when you’re clouded in shadow. You’re relatively safe from detection here although tougher enemies can scan shadow areas and detect your location if you fail to complete the mini-game sequence (you must quickly press the indicated button or button combination).

Hiding in shadows will keep you hidden but it won’t necessarily get you around dangerous enemies. You will likely have to get rid of an enemy to proceed in the game. This is where the shadow works offensively as well as defensively. There are a couple ways to lure an enemy toward your hiding place. You can smack the wall with a melee attack or you can use a lure (yellow items such as cans, bottles, and bricks).

Toss the lure toward where you want the enemy to investigate. You should toss the lure in a location where the enemy will have his back turned so you can approach from behind and perform the execution.

Once you recover a firearm, Manhunt 2 can become an action game. Pistols, shotguns, uzis, sniper rifles, and assault rifles—they’re all powerful and capable of eliminating enemies in quick fashion, especially if you aim for the head and score a headshot.

Although you can inflict a lot of damage with your firearm, your body can’t sustain much from enemy fire. You must still take cover, such as hugging a wall or taking cover behind a table. Pop in and out of cover to target and take shots on the enemy. Remain in cover while you need to reload. Stick close to corners because often you can carefully aim around the corner and target enemies before they can return fire.