Maneater is an explosive new SharkPG where the player plays as a true behemoth, a shark. This shark is unlike any other and will slowly become the biggest of all predators. With a vast open-world to swim and, prey upon Maneater is sure to be a hit. It’s a shark version of Grand Theft Auto, so what’s not to love? Maneater tells the tale of a young shark on a mission to find the man who killed her mother. The game switches between two sides of the story, one through the eyes of the shark and the other a TV Show. Both sides have their merits as they help tie the story together and bring the shark closer to her target. Chris Parnell hilariously voices the host of the program.
Players will quickly learn through a tutorial on how the game plays out. Players must adapt to situations and kill anything that crosses their paths. They might be fast, but some beasts are faster. I found it hard to control the shark using the arrow keys, so I switched to a PS4 controller. After that, it was a breeze, and I found myself enjoying the game. The game offers a rather realistic way of controlling the shark. While the shark does have a sonar ability which can help it see everything around it, it is mostly factual. The shark can strafe and dives, jump, and bite. With a good tail, whack players can stun an opponent. It’s best to figure out how to control the shark before getting too entrenched in the story. The tutorial makes it simple and easy, just make sure to use the right controller.
The shark travels through seven different seas as she terrorizes the water. Eating humans is part of the tutorial and one of the most humorous parts of the game. Watching them freak out as the fin slices through the water brings me joy. It is amazing seeing the sea through the eyes of a predator. Players will gain different nutrients that they can use to upgrade their shark. To defeat Scaly Pete, the shark will have to become an apex predator. Players will use these nutrients to upgrade their skills. This game is a Shark RPG, so get ready for changing the shark until she’s just right for the player.
Player’s will slowly level up the shark by killing fish and humans. Killing and leveling cause the shark to grow and age. The bigger the shark, the better the stats and the more likely the shark will take everything down. The shark will need to continue to devour to become an elder shark, which is the greatest age of shark. Though the shark will also continue to evolve until it’s a Megalodon. This game is fantastic in that the shark does actively grow. Starting as a pup, the shark soon becomes huge. The size does help as some of the beasts of the sea are truly gargantuan. Even facing a huge gator as a teen shark will lead to trouble. Continuously devouring everything in sight, be they fish, or human is necessary.
The shark also gains access to new areas while aging, some fences and grates will be inaccessible until the shark is of the right age. It might be annoying, but it brings the player back to previous locales, which is fun. Returning as a bigger shark and taking out weaker enemies is thrilling in its apex predator way. As the shark kills people, a meter will slowly rise. Once it rises to the top, the hunters will descend on the shark. These hunters will be relentless, charging at the shark. The shark must take out as many hunters as possible, though the player can opt to hideaway. The shark must kill many humans and hunters to rise in infamy. Taking out hunters will lure in the vicious legendary hunters. These hunters are stronger and more wily than their friends. Taking them on usually takes a lot of effort, but the rewards are great.
The shark should always return to a den after taking out one of the ten hunters. The player should use dens as often as possible to equip the shark and age it up. It’s a good idea to make use of the dens scattered about the world as they are waypoints. Dens are great places to end the game for the night as its more realistic that way. As the player progresses, they will gain new abilities and powers. They can fully electrify their body or equip bone teeth. It’s a good idea to mix and match based on how the player plays. This game offers a great amount of customization, so the player ought to take advantage of it. The shark can even take on new forms if the player does things right.
This game is filled with quests, to push through the story the player, will need to finish a certain amount of quests. There is a checklist for each world so players will never get lost. It’s great to knock out a bunch of tasks take out an apex predator and kill off a hunter. Players will need to keep track of their shark and know when their shark is ready for the next big hurdle. Eat anything that swims and the shark will be ready for any challenge.
I love that the game’s story’s told through a tv show. It’s an interesting take that gives humanity to the shark hunter Scaly Pete. Though taking him down is also quite worthwhile. A Cajun drunk taking on a shark he let go is quite the tale. Though, the best part of the tv show idea is Chris Parnell’s host duty. Chris Parnell’s character tells a lot of interesting facts throughout the game. Players might learn a thing or two about the ocean and sharks as they play. No matter what the shark is doing, Parnell has something to say, and I’m always appreciative of his words of wisdom. The world of Maneater starts rather dingy as the player stuck in a swamp. Soon it expands into different waterways and leads to the ocean. Seeing the fish and beasts change as the player traverses the seven seas is thrilling. Busting out into the last sea is great as the player can see how far their shark has come.
Maneater is a fantastic bloody ride from beginning to end. If the player has ever dreamed of being a shark, they will certainly have fun. This game might be too gruesome for some, but it is rather humorous watching the shark dismember its targets. Maneater tells the story of a shark out for revenge, will the player help her take down Scaly Pete?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided