The ratings body that oversees the classification of video games in Britain has again banned the sale of “Manhunt 2″. The British Board of Film Classification ruled once again that the horror-laden action/puzzle game is not sufficiently toned down to substantiate a public release. “Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game,” the BBFC said in its release.

“Against this background, the Board’s carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public.”

The game’s publisher, Take Two Interactive, was quick to release its own statement on the ruiling. “The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for video games. The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2.”

Rockstar Games, the programmers of “Manhunt 2″, said that it would reappeal the board’s decision. The game has already been resubmitted and approved for release on October 31 in North America.