History YMMV / Headhunter

* MemeticMutation: When the first game was released, many people had a field day pointing out that Jack's beard was his most distinguishable feature, since most game protagonists at the time were clearly shaven. This has led to some nicknames such as "Metal Gear Solid 3: Bearded Justice" (years before [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater the actual game]] hit), "bearded ComicBook/JudgeDredd alike", and more.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: The first game received a bit of this treatment for taking many gameplay elements from ''VideoGame/SyphonFilter'', ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil1'', and most particularly ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', enough that people accused and dismissed it as a clone at first glance. Fans of the game would tell you that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as it took some of their stronger elements and combined them to form a solid, cohesive and enjoyable package.

* MemeticMutation: When the first game was released, many people had a field day pointing out that Jack's beard was his most distinguishable feature, since most game protagonists at the time were clearly shaven. This has led to some nicknames such as "Metal Gear Solid 3: Bearded Justice" (years before the actual game hit) and "bearded ComicBook/JudgeDredd alike".

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Special mention goes to "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGrN_RD86C4 Jack's Theme]]", "Greywolf", "Ramirez at Bay", and "Final Conflict" from the first game, with "Perilous Descent", "Recycling Migs", and "Taking Liberty" from the second.

* ScrappyMechanic: The first game has a [[PressXToNotDie Quick Time Event]] take place against a certain rival before the climax, but unlike many games that utilize it, the buttons have to be held down briefly to avoid the attacks. Let go too early, you get shot and die. Hold it down too long, you get shot and die. Fortunately, it only happens once in the game, but it was known to throw many people off.

* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans of the show who aren't familiar with this series associate "Jack's Theme" with the show itself. Oddly enough, neither one of the ''Headhunter'' games reached Japan.

** Greywolf, mostly due to his memorable boss fight and his dialogue. Most people found the BadassBiker cool before he helps you out later on, which made it even better.

* NightmareFuel: The last part of ''Redemption'' is filled with this. The halls of Research & Execution have blood on the walls and floor, [[spoiler: discovering a mutilated Che]], who's completely broken after being experimented on by Candy Floss, and his audio recording that he decided to experiment on her without using anesthetic. There's also his creations, the biomechs, which are zombie-like machines that attack in large numbers.

* EvilIsCool: Candy Floss, for being the scariest and most intimidating villain the franchise has to offer.

* PlayerPunch: ''Redemption'' is filled with these. Jack's son was shown to have been kidnapped by the machines as a child, and it only gets worse from there. [[spoiler: [[DemotedToExtra Angela]] falls from the roof of her building to her death midway through the game, [[LadyOfWar Che]] is DrivenToSuicide after being tortured by Candy Floss]], but none of that compares to when the ultimate fate of [[spoiler: Jack's son Chris is revealed, now a [[UndeadChild living corpse]] connected to and controlled by a computer network. Jack disconnects him to put him out of his misery, but a machine later rips his corpse out and uses it to fight against Jack, forcing him to put down his son ''again'' in a boss fight. Leeza's dad also dies in the ending, after she spent years trying to find him]].

* AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Special mention goes to "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGrN_RD86C4 Jack's Theme]]", "Greywolf", "Ramirez at Bay", and "Final Conflict" from the first game, with "Perilous Descent", "Recycling Migs", and "Taking Liberty" from the second.

* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans of the show who aren't familiar with this series associate "Jack's Theme" with the show itself. Some have even called it "Arino's Theme."

* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans of the show associate "Jack's Theme" with the show.

* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans of the show associate "Jack's Theme" with the show.
* JustForFun/XMeetsY: The game's mechanics and story drew comparisons to other popular games at the time it was released, and for good reason. [[VideoGame/MetalGear Hugging a wall to hide or sneak a peek at anyone around a corner? Virtual training missions]]? [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil A mansion related to a much bigger scheme involving science and a big bad corporation? A gigantic man-monster with only "kill" on the mind]]? [[TropesAreNotBad Not that this was necessarily a bad thing]].

* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans of the show associate "Jack's Theme" with the show.

* PlayerPunch: ''Redemption'' is filled with these. Jack's son was shown to have been kidnapped by the machines as a child, and it only gets worse from there. [[spoiler: [[DemotedToExtra Angela]] falls from the roof of her building to her death midway through the game, [[LadyOfWar Che]] is DrivenToSuicide after being tortured by Candy Floss]], but none of that compares to when the ultimate fate of [[spoiler: Jack's son Chris is revealed, now a living corpse connected to and controlled by a computer network. Jack disconnects him to put him out of his misery, but a machine later rips his corpse out and uses it to fight against Jack, forcing him to put down his son ''again'' in a boss fight. Leeza's dad also dies in the ending, after she spent years trying to find him]].
* SongAssociation: Music from both games were featured in the early seasons of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'', to the point where several fans consider "Jack's Theme" as Arino's theme.

* AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Special mention goes to "Jack's Theme", "Greywolf", "Ramirez at Bay", and "Final Conflict" from the first game, with "Perilous Descent", "Recycling Migs", and "Taking Liberty" from the second.

* PlayerPunch: ''Redemption'' is filled with these. Jack's son was shown to have been kidnapped by the machines as a child, and it only gets worse from there. [[spoiler: [[DemotedToExtra Angela]] falls from the roof of her building to her death midway through the game, [[LadyOfWar Che]] is DrivenToSuicide after being tortured by Candy Floss]], but none of that compares to when the ultimate fate of [[spoiler: Jack's son Chris is revealed, now a living corpse connected to and controlled by a computer network. Jack disconnects him to put him out of his misery, but a machine later rips his corpse out and uses it to fight against Jack, forcing him to put down his son ''again'' in a boss fight. Leeza's dad also dies in the ending, after she spent years trying to find him]].

* AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Special mention goes to "Jack's Theme", "Greywolf", "Ramirez at Bay", and "Final Conflict" from the first game, with "Perilous Descent", "Recycling Migs", "Taking Liberty" from the second.

* AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs.

* AwesomeMusic: The games are perhaps known best for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing, which were both composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega of Europe, with the first game being performed by a live orchestra. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs.

* AwesomeMusic: The series is widely known for their cinematic soundtracks before cinematic soundtracks became a common thing. Composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega of Europe, the original game's score was performed by the London Session Orchestra and was the first soundtrack for a video game to be recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, which garnered him awards and skyrocketed his career in the music industry. While the sequel lacks the live orchestra and has a more ambient feel, it still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Fans of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'' were treated to songs from both soundtracks in the second and third seasons.
* BrokenBase: Fans of the original game are certainly split when it comes to the DarkerAndEdgier ContestedSequel, ''Redemption''. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent Leeza]] or that [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks she took the spotlight away]] from [[{{Deuteragonist}} Jack]], that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], the game's overall gloomy mood and depressing story that lacks the flair of the original. On the other hand, the game does have its share of defenders that enjoyed the game and dark sci-fi narrative, finding it to be a worthy follow-up to the original, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.
* CompleteMonster: Candy Floss, the DepravedDentist and TortureTechnician, and head of Research & Execution in ''Redemption'', is by far the most unredeemable character in the franchise. His work is first shown when Jack discovers a tortured and mutilated [[spoiler: Che, who refers to him as the "diablo"]], who is DrivenToSuicide. When Floss is introduced, he taunts Jack about experimenting on his innocent son before he was sent to Liberty, and explains his past as a dental surgeon who was sent Below for conducting mechanical experiments on ''children'', and resents society for deeming him a monster. While he was able to continue his inhuman experiments Below, he laments that he misses the tears in the children's eyes, the screams of pain, and look of utter fear in their faces. After Jack takes him down, Floss expresses no regrets and taunts Jack further by saying he's lost everything, which includes his missing son, his partner, [[spoiler: and his now deceased ex-wife]].

* PlayerPunch: ''Redemption'' offers quite a brutal one, when the ultimate fate of [[spoiler: Jack's son Chris]] is revealed. [[spoiler: Not only does Candy Floss gleefully reveal that he experimented on the innocent child, but when he's discovered in Liberty, it's no wonder Jack puts him out of his misery. But a machine later rips his corpse out and uses it to fight against Jack. That's right, the final boss fight with Jack is against his own son.]]

* FirstInstallmentWins: Many fans seem to favor the original game over its sequel, due to its memorable bike-riding moments, fun dialogue and humor, unique story, and orchestrated soundtrack.

* AwesomeMusic: Composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega, the original game's score was performed by a live Orchestra and was the first soundtrack for a video game to be recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, which garnered him awards and skyrocketed his career in the music industry. The sequel lacks the live orchestra but still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs. Fans of ''Series/RetroGameMaster'' were treated to both soundtracks in the second and third seasons.
* BrokenBase: Fans of the original game are certainly split when it comes to the DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption''. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] or that she [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent took the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], and its depressing story. On the other hand, the game does have its share of defenders that enjoyed the game and dark narrative, finding it to be a worthy follow-up to the original, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.
* CompleteMonster: Candy Floss, the DepravedDentist and head of Research & Execution in ''Redemption'', is by far the most unredeemable character in the franchise. His work is first shown when Jack discovers a mutilated [[spoiler: Che, who refers to him as the "diablo"]], who is DrivenToSuicide. When Floss is introduced, he taunts Jack about experimenting on his son before he was sent to Liberty, and explains his past as a dental surgeon who was sent Below for conducting mechanical experiments on ''children'', and resents society for deeming him a monster. While he was able to continue his inhuman experiments, he laments that he misses the tears in the children's eyes, the screams of pain, and look of utter fear in their faces. After Jack takes him down, Floss expresses no regrets and taunts Jack further by saying he's lost everything, which includes his missing son, his partner, [[spoiler: and his now deceased ex-wife]].
* CultClassic: The first game in particular is seen by one by many Dreamcast fans, as it came late in the system's life, and while its development was advertised in some US magazines, [[NoExportForYou it never hit the states on the console]]. Although the sequel isn't as fondly remembered by some fans of the original, it also has its good share of fans and defenders who also consider it one.

* AwesomeMusic: Composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega, the original game's score was performed by a live Orchestra and was the first soundtrack for a video game to be recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. The sequel lacks the orchestra but still retains the cinematic touch and certainly isn't without its own memorable songs.
* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] or that she [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent took the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], and its depressing story. On the other hand, the game does have its share of defenders that enjoyed the game and dark narrative, finding it to be a worthy follow-up to the original, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.

* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent taking the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], and its depressing story. On the other hand, the game does have its defenders that enjoyed the dark narrative and world like the first game, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.

* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent taking the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], political jabs, and its depressing story. On the other hand, the game does have its defenders that enjoyed the dark narrative and world like the first game, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.

* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. Although many appreciated the improved mechanics, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent taking the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game was [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome killed off]], political jabs, and its depressing story bordering on DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. On the other hand, the game does have its defenders that enjoyed the dark narrative and world like the first game, and feel that adding a new spunky female protagonist was a smart move for the sequel.

* AwesomeMusic: Composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega, the original game's score was performed by a live Orchestra and was the first soundtrack for a video game to be recorded at Abbey Road studios in London. The sequel lacks the orchestra but still retains the cinematic touch.
* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. While the mechanics improved in many ways, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent taking the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game [[TookALevelInJerkass became an utter Jerkass]] only to [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome be killed off later on]], political jabs, and the story treading toward DarknessInducedAudienceApathy levels. On the other hand, the game does have its defenders for its intriguing narrative and interesting setting much like the first game.
* CompleteMonster: Candy Floss, the head of Research & Execution in ''Redemption'', is by far the most depraved of the series cast. His work is first shown when Jack discovers [[spoiler: a mutilated Che, who refers to him as the "diablo"]], before being DrivenToSuicide. Floss then taunts Jack about his son also being sent there, mentions that as a dental surgeon Above, he conducted mechanical experiments on ''children'', and was deemed a monster by society and sent Below because of it. And while he was able to continue his inhuman experiments, he laments that he misses the tears in the children's eyes, the screams of pain, and look of utter fear in their faces. Once Jack beats him, Floss expresses no regrets and taunts Jack further by saying he's lost everything, which includes his son, his partner, [[spoiler: and his deceased ex-wife]].
* CultClassic: The first game in particular is seen by one by many Dreamcast fans, as it came late in the system's life, and while its development was advertised in some US magazines, [[NoExportForYou it never hit the states on the console]]. Although the sequel isn't as fondly remembered by some fans of the original, it also has its good share of fans and defenders intrigued by the setting and narrative.

* BaseBreaker: The DarkerAndEdgier ''Redemption'' was this for many fans of the original game. While the mechanics improved, not everyone was fond of [[RebelliousSpirit Leeza]] [[AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent taking the spotlight away]] from Jack, that a major character from the previous game [[TookALevelInJerkass became an utter Jerkass]] only to [[SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome be killed off later on]], political jabs, and the story treading toward DarknessInducedAudienceApathy levels. On the other hand, the game does have its defenders as an intriguing sci-fi tale with an interesting setting and world much like the first game.
* CultClassic: The first game is seen by one by many Dreamcast fans, as it came late in the system's life. Although the sequel isn't as fondly remembered, it also has its share of fans and defenders.

* AwesomeMusic: Composed by Richard Jacques during his tenure at Sega, the original game's score was performed by a live Orchestra and was the first soundtrack for a video game to be recorded at Abbey Road studios in London.
* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: In a review of ''Headhunter Redemption'' in the UK edition of the Official Xbox Magazine, the game was criticized for being unable to skip cutscenes, as well as the "odd bike chase". However, the cutscenes can be skipped, and the player never controls a bike within the game at all. This prompted a response from the developers in a forum reply, not only addressing these inaccuracies, but saying that if you're not bothered enough to play a game, then it's no point in reviewing it.

* CriticalResearchFailure: Not in the game itself, but in a review of the game in the UK edition of the Official Xbox Magazine for the sequel, ''Headhunter Redemption''. In this review, it's said there are motorcycle segments - there aren't any, though there were in the original Headhunter, so either the reviewer was thinking of the original, or just that of a completely unrelated game. The other problem is that it's mentioned that the cutscenes are unskippable, but in reality they really are. These mistakes were even addressed by the developing company of the game, Amuze, in a forum reply, even saying that if you're not bothered enough to play a game, then it's no point in reviewing it.

* {{Critical Research Failure}}: Not in the game itself, but in a review of the game in the UK edition of the Official Xbox Magazine. In this review, it's said there are motorcycle segments - there aren't any, though there were in the original Headhunter, so either the reviewer was thinking of the original, or just that of a completely unrelated game. The other problem is that it's mentioned that the cutscenes are unskippable, but in reality they really are. This mistakes were even addressed by the developing company of the game, Amuze, in a forum reply, even saying that if you're not bothered enough to play a game, then it's no point in reviewing it.