Rockstar Games' most controversial game just got a remaster as we wait for GTA 6
We've still got a long way to go before Grand Theft Auto 6 finally drops following a frustrating delay, but that wait might just have been made better with the release of a remaster for Rockstar Games' most controversial release.
Rockstar Games have always toed the line of controversy in the past, as even outside of Grand Theft Auto - which focuses on robbery and violence - you have similarly aggressive titles like Bully and The Warriors.
It's definitely what people gravitate towards the developer for though, and it has allowed Rockstar to carve out a space in the games industry that very few other studios, if any, can compete with.
That has translated into immeasurable hype for GTA 6 too as fans simply can't get enough of what's been shown so far, but a lengthy delay has left many wondering what they can do to fill the time.
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Thankfully the community has stepped up and taken things into their own hands to fill the void, giving one of Rockstar's most controversial releases a much needed remaster.
Which Rockstar Games title has got a remaster?
As reported by GAMINGbible, 2003's Manhunt has now received a fan-made remaster that dramatically enhances the visuals and lighting to bring it into the modern day.
The update, released for free on ModDB, specifically targets ray tracing by adding "full path traced lighting and PBR textures" to the game, which will make everything seem more realistic and modern.
All of the game's 20 levels have received this visual overhaul, and it's definitely worth giving a go whether you've never played the game before or you're a long time fan.
It's still very much a work in progress though, and creator gabdeg has already released a hotfix that fixes some issues that were pointed out by players, but it might be the perfect thing to pass the time before GTA 6 comes out - at least until we hear more about upgraded versions of GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Why was Manhunt considered controversial?
While the Grand Theft Auto series is known for its violence, Manhunt really took things up a notch. Players control an inmate on death row who is forced to create snuff films of criminal gang members, and it features extremely graphic violence, especially at the time of its 2003 release.
The game was banned in several countries as a consequence of this, and things were only escalated with its 2007 sequel which featured ever stricter bans and widespread censorship due to it's increased level of graphic violence.
Manhunt was also allegedly linked to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah by 17-year-old Warren Leblanc in the United Kingdom just a year after its release, after police found a copy of the game in the latter's bedroom, which the victim's parents claimed played an influence in his actions.