Headhunter

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: May 14, 2002
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. GameSpy
    72
    One of the game's biggest deficiencies is the camera, which doesn't work well when you're in attack mode.
  2. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    This is still a pure adventure game: rigidly linear, heavy on plot and exposition, and not immune to the bad habits of the genre, like switch pulling and fetch questing.
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Because the controls are overly ambitious (read: complex), instead of being a crack shot with mad skillz, Jake Slade is about as easy to control as a 6-year old kid. [June 2002, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Armchair Empire
    65
    While Headhunter does well to borrow from games like "Metal Gear Solid 2" and the sort of comically futuristic world found in movies like Robocop, it falls short with it’s blandly typical story and constant cliché rip-offs that cheapen the experience.
  6. netjak
    62
    Oh the controls, in my opinion they sucked a$$. The rolling technique and all was cool in conjunction with the ducking and aiming aspect; but the way it was executed was horrible.
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PSX Nation
    60
    Fun little guilty pleasure while it lasts though.
  8. G4 TV
    60
    Sufficient gameplay of third-person shooting, stealth, and a hefty load of campy newscasting that fortunately can be skipped.
  9. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The technical faults of this shoddy port put a big fat smudge on an otherwise great game. [June 2002, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. GamePro
    60
    Its cool graphics, story, and gameplay variety are buried by the brutally bad camera and controls.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best PS2 Game of 2002
73
#73 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
  1. CleopatrainCali
    Jul 16, 2019
    10
    Wonderful story, brilliant graphics (at the time of release), excellent gameplay, and an outstanding soundtrack. My only disappointment wasWonderful story, brilliant graphics (at the time of release), excellent gameplay, and an outstanding soundtrack. My only disappointment was that it was rather short, and that they only released one sequel. Both games are phenomenal, and I really wished they released more from the Headhunter series. In the meantime, I am hoping at least both games can be remastered for the ps4? fingers crossed xx… Full Review »
  2. MillerReviews
    Mar 19, 2019
    6
    Playing again in 2019 to see if this game has held up with time. The premise is that in the near future criminals are subject to donate organsPlaying again in 2019 to see if this game has held up with time. The premise is that in the near future criminals are subject to donate organs instead of serve prison time. You play a headhunter who is capturing felons and trying to remember who he is. The plot is interesting.

    The game unfortunately is littered with poor camera angles, and annoying lock on targeting which sometimes misses the mark completely and makes playing the game in stealth mode very frustrating. Although with the controls being clunky, it is still mildly playable.

    Bosses can be tricky with the controls the way they are, as the roll button doesnt make much use if you can't roll away quick enough. The motorbike controls are insanely annoying, and everything you hit will make you stop dead in your tracks, as well as the turning and cornering being the most frustrating part of the motorbike parts. The AI is very stupid, to the point where enemies and sub bosses will blow themselves up with grenades, or completely ignore the fact you are there until you blast them in the face at point blank range. Again, the enemies health is a little exaggerated, especially when firing into a enemy who is bare-chested at point blank range and it taking at least 6-7 shots to put him down. Also when enemies are killed, they flash and disappear, which in my own opinion, ive never liked.

    The FMV sequences that are news reports are very "Robocop" esque and are a nod to movies of the early to mid 90s. The graphics are OK and hold up like any other PS2 game made around the year 2000.

    Apart from all those issues, its still worth a punt if you have nothing better to play and fancy wasting a few hours of your life.    … Full Review »
  3. BenN.
    Aug 5, 2003
    8
    Brill, MUCH better on the Dreamcast though, finally a game that shows the REAL power of the legendary Yamaha YZF-R1, a proper motorbike!
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