Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: DOS
- Developers: Tsunami Media
- Publishers: Tsunami Media
Man Enough (1994): A Sexist Relic from the Dawn of FMV Games
In the annals of video gaming, there are countless titles that have been lost to obscurity, forgotten by time and the ever-marching progress of technology. But every now and then, a game surfaces from the depths of gaming history that is so bizarre, so misguided, and so utterly offensive that it demands to be remembered. Man Enough (1994) is one such game.
What is Man Enough?
Man Enough is a full-motion video (FMV) dating simulation game developed by Digital Pictures and published by SEGA. The game was released for the Sega CD and 3DO consoles in 1994, and was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews.
The objective of the game is simple: to have intercourse with as many women as possible. The player takes on the role of a man who has subscribed to a dating agency called “Man Enough.” The agency is run by a woman named Jeri, who assists the player by popping up on the screen to give hints and evaluate progress.
After subscribing to the agency, the player is taken to a gym where he meets five women: Blair, Erin, Fawn, Kellie, and Quinn. The player can interact with these women by clicking on them with a cursor. Clicking on their heads initiates a conversation, while clicking on their bodies plays a short “sexy” video.
The player must use information from the game manual to choose the correct answers to questions asked by the women. Wrong answers result in negative reactions, while right answers lead to positive reactions. The player must also successfully complete mini-games in order to progress through the game.
Why Man Enough is So Bad
Man Enough is a terrible game for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is incredibly sexist and misogynistic. The game’s entire premise revolves around the idea that women are objects to be conquered, and that the player’s goal is to have sex with as many of them as possible. The game’s dialogue is full of crude jokes and sexual innuendo, and the women are all portrayed as one-dimensional stereotypes.
In addition to its sexism, Man Enough is also incredibly repetitive and boring. The gameplay consists of nothing more than clicking on women and choosing answers to their questions. There is no real challenge or strategy involved, and the game quickly becomes tedious.
Finally, Man Enough is simply not very well made. The FMV graphics are pixelated and jerky, and the acting is wooden and unconvincing. The game’s interface is clunky and difficult to use, and the overall production values are extremely low.
Legacy of Man Enough
Man Enough was a critical and commercial failure, and it has since been largely forgotten by gamers. However, the game has gained a cult following among fans of bad games, and it is often cited as one of the worst video games ever made.
Man Enough is a reminder of a time when the video game industry was still in its infancy, and when sexism and misogyny were rampant in popular culture. The game’s legacy is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked sexism and the importance of representation in media.
Review
Man Enough is a terrible game that is best avoided. It is sexist, misogynistic, repetitive, boring, and poorly made. There is nothing redeeming about this game, and it deserves its place in the annals of gaming history as one of the worst games ever made.
Score: 1/10
Recommendation: Do not play this game.
Review Score
3/10
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