Manos: The Hands of Fate (video game)
{{Short description|2012 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Manos: The Hands of Fate
| collapsible =
| state =
| image = File:Manos_iOS_Cover.jpg
| caption = App icon for Manos: The Hands of Fate
| developer = FreakZone
| publisher = FreakZone
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = iOS
Android
Microsoft Windows
| genre = Platform
| modes = Single-player
}}
Manos: The Hands of Fate is a video game developed and published by FreakZone Games, based on the cult film Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966).{{cite web|title=The Worst Movie Ever Made Gets A Game Designed to Play Like Some of the Best Ever Made|date=20 July 2012 |url=http://kotaku.com/5927767/the-worst-movie-ever-made-gets-a-game-designed-to-play-like-some-of-the-best-ever-made|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=29 August 2013}} It was published in 2012 for iOS, with retro graphics and sound inspired by the 8-bit era for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was later ported to Windows and Android. Manos: The Hands of Fate features Mike, a husband and father who attempts to expunge a man known as "The Master" in order to escape a lodge and rescue his family.
Plot and gameplay
File:"MANOS - The Hands of Fate" screenshot, running on iPhone 4.png
Manos: The Hands of Fate is a side-scrolling platform game. Players control Mike, as he ventures through a haunted lodge in order to rescue his family from "The Master," the owner of said lodge.{{cite web|title=Manos: The Hands of Fate Game: Official Site|url=http://www.manosthehandsoffate.com/|publisher=FreakZone Games|accessdate=29 August 2013}} He is armed with a revolver, which can be upgraded to a more powerful shotgun. Mike is also able to locate hidden "Hands of Fate" which increase his vitality. At the end of each level, Mike encounters a boss, which must be defeated before he is able to advance to the next level.{{cite web|title=Manos Q&A|url=http://freakzonegames.com/post/27364326854/manos-the-hands-of-fate-q-a|publisher=FreakZone Games|accessdate=29 August 2013|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703041022/http://freakzonegames.com/post/27364326854/manos-the-hands-of-fate-q-a|url-status=live}}
Development
The idea of creating a Manos-themed video game was a running joke between developer Sam Beddoes and his friend.{{cite web|last1=Sampo|title=Interview with the Developer of the 'Manos' Game|url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=13192|website=Satellite News: The Official Mystery Science Theater 3000 Fan Site|date=26 July 2012|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330131655/http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=13192|url-status=live}} Beddoes realized the film was in the public domain and that making such a game would be legally possible. The initial idea was to resemble Shadowgate for NES; however, after watching an episode of Angry Video Game Nerd, Beddoes realized "what Manos was destined to be". When asked by Eurogamer how they could turn the movie into a video game, the developers replied "[B]y latching onto memorable moments in the movie and blowing them wildly out of proportion!", noting that a kissing couple drinking beer in the film are represented in the game as an enemy that throws beer bottles at the player.{{cite web|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|title=Manos: The Hands of Fate game due this week on iOS|date=23 July 2012|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-23-manos-the-hands-of-fate-due-this-week-on-ios|publisher=Eurogamer|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-date=14 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114083109/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-23-manos-the-hands-of-fate-due-this-week-on-ios|url-status=live}}
Manos: The Hands of Fate contains references to Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes and films; however, they were made intentionally obscure to avoid copyright infringement. During the MST3K Kickstarter telethon, the Game Grumps played the game along with Crow T. Robot in MST3K{{'}}s trademark "Shadowrama" style.
Reception
Manos: The Hands of Fate has received mixed reviews from critics. Cody Musser, reviewing the iOS version for IGN, gave it a 6.0 out of 10. He praised the graphics and sound, but criticized the controls, bugs, and hit detection.{{cite web|last=Musser|first=Cody|title=MANOS - The Hands of Fate Review|date=3 August 2012|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/03/manos-the-hands-of-fate-review|publisher=IGN|access-date=29 August 2013}} A review of the Windows version for ScrewAttack gave it a 6.5 out of 10. They praised the gameplay, graphics, and sound, but said it is too easy and short.{{cite web|title=Manos: The Hands of Fate. Game Review|url=http://www.screwattack.com/reviews/review-manos-hands-fate/page_2|publisher=ScrewAttack|access-date=29 August 2013|archive-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201133453/http://www.screwattack.com/reviews/review-manos-hands-fate/page_2|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.manosthehandsoffate.com/ Official site]
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Fiction about polygamy
Category:Retro-style video games
Category:Side-scrolling video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games about vacationing
Category:Video games based on films
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom