8Bit/Digi

Not since Manhunt 2 has a title caused so much controversy over its violent content. Critics have denounced it for its poor taste in content while supporters have defended it by pointing out how it’s no different from games like Postal.

On the surface, Hatred is suppose to be a dark and gritty game that puts players in the role of The Crusader as he embarks on a killing spree. The black-and-white imagery (with blood being the only subject to have color) should have also given it an artistic tone to what should have been a disturbing experience.

However, everything about Hatred was built on the controversy and hype. While the context should be a gritty, it fails at any point to make the player feel disturbed by their actions. At best it could be compared to any game that involves shooting at an animal in a cage. The entire point of this game felt like it was trying to add fuel to a controversy that has been dead since the early 2000s.

Hatred could have been a unique experience if it was released anytime from 1999 – 2005, when such titles were a popular way to stick it to anti-video game activists like Jack Thompson. Yet as of 2015; video games have become part of pop-culture while the culture has become more austere. Quality video games are expected to either have a thought provoking story with multi-layered characters, a multiplayer experience, or a challenge that stimulates the player. Video games that only offer shock value have gone the way of the dodo as they are no longer relevant.

On a side note; fan-boys who enjoy the game really need to stop comparing Hatred to Postal and Manhunt, they are not the same experience. Despite its violent content, the Postal series is a comedy that mocks contemporary morals and culture. Manhunt is a horror survival that was a modern retelling of The Most Dangerous Game, while those you hunted were not innocent bystanders.

Hatred is neither shocking or artistic and calling it a “video game” feels like an insult to the gaming while at best having appealed to the communities lowest common denominator. Destructive Creations has failed to shock players while the honor for the most disturbing moment in gaming still belongs to “No Russian” in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

One would hope that inflated hype was the only thing wrong with the game, but unfortunately a series of glitches and poor controls makes the experience even worse. For a game that requires little hardware to function, it has a serious lag issue along with a series twitches that deprives players of what little enjoyment they could’ve had. Trust me, it’s not my computer (I could play Crysis on full settings), this game just has a lot of unresolved bugs.

The controls don’t respond properly as players will struggle to function in the environment. Going in a straight line alone is so difficult that its surprising that trophy is not available for completing the task. Aiming is so annoying that trying to hit the target is a nuisance that requires more patience and less skill.

Hatred is less of boundary-pushing title and more of an over-glorified flame bait that was developed by attention whores. Also a reminder for disgruntled gamers who wasted less than two hours of gametime, Steam now offers refunds.