Cyber Manhunt 2: New World – The Hacking Simulator (Chapter 5)

If you enjoy independent indie game coverage, consider supporting Indie-Games.eu on Patreon. It helps keep the site independent.

• Developer: Aluba Studio
• Publisher: Spiral Up Games
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Story-rich / Puzzle
• Release Date: January 20, 2024
• Initial Price: 9.99€
• Reviewed Version: PC

It’s interesting that Cyber Manhunt 2 costs just €10. In my original Early Access review, I rated it 3.5, mostly because of some challenging puzzles and mini-games, as well as the overwhelming amount of information presented, which requires a fair bit of reading. I still maintain that opinion, but if you’re looking for a narrative-driven hacking simulator with impressive visual presentation, excellent music, and impressive voice acting, you’ve come to the right place.

After replaying a few chapters and thoroughly finishing the game, my impressions have definitely changed. While the extensive reading might seem daunting, it actually allows you to immerse yourself deeply in the rich details and world of the game. I appreciate the variety of characters we encounter and the diverse stories we can explore, which makes Cyber Manhunt 2 stand out among similar games.

Chapter Five Serves as the Climax of a Brilliant Game

In Cyber Manhunt 2, you take on the role of an AI assistant for a major corporation. It is rich with real-world hacking strategies and moral dilemmas, all set within a dystopian cyber-society. With the release of the fifth and final chapter, the game now provides a fully realized experience. You can enjoy 10 to 13 hours of mystery and investigation, and explore significant issues like online security, school bullying, loan sharking, and much more.

The sequel improves upon its predecessor in many ways. Information gathering has become more intuitive, and cracking passwords is far less frustrating. Small animations between tasks add a charming touch, resulting in smoother and more polished gameplay overall. The user interface and graphics are also impressive. Additionally, there are fun mini-games, and you’ll likely appreciate certain mechanics, especially the way information is searched and hacking is executed in this game.

Chapter Five offers an experience lasting about 2 to 3 hours, where you are introduced to AdminX, an AI system intending to alter everyone’s future and memories, seeking to gain control over events. When Nathan, the main character in this chapter, experiences a certain deviation from the norm, the AI seeks to eliminate all inaccuracies, and that’s when you take the main role. Without revealing too much, this chapter, like the others, starts slowly as you gather information and get to know various characters. However, as new elements are revealed, the finale brings a wealth of extra content.

I enjoyed several puzzles and mini-games in this chapter, such as eliminating the AI system through piloting and using virus scripts, as well as the eerie experience of accessing all the cameras in a room to observe everything happening. However, despite Chapter Five looking rich in content, it feels scarce during gameplay, largely because the ending is quite predictable. The AI’s attempts to erase memories and control others ultimately fail, as the narrative simplifies into one group supporting the system and another opposing it.

Why Is Cyber Manhunt 2: New World So Good?

Despite these concerns, Cyber Manhunt 2 is an incredible game overall. It’s fascinating how certain elements are integrated and presented in such a realistic way, prompting you to question our current technology and its potential future consequences—which is precisely what all five chapters aim to convey. This game explores the moral dilemmas we may face and our understanding of the world.

The positive reception of this title should not be in doubt. It features several straightforward stories that follow a linear narrative, connecting various points and objectives to lead you toward the final decision and conclusions of each chapter. One of the game’s greatest strengths is its animations and cinematic scenes, both during and after each chapter. However, this isn’t a game you can finish in one sitting; there is simply too much information to absorb, and your progress will depend largely on how quickly you can read and process the details.

All things considered, you have nothing to lose by playing this game; it’s affordable, offers plenty of content and playtime, and can engage you more than you might expect. Thematically, the stories are consistently interesting and can significantly pique your interest. I highly recommend Cyber Manhunt 2.

Review copy provided by the publisher