Maneater (REVIEW)

I'll make you fishers of men. That's what Jesus told his disciples ages ago. While his definition of such fishing is different from Tripwire's there is definitely the common theme that is "Fishers of men". In Maneater you get to actually hunt prey, including humans, as you evolve to get revenge on the one hunter that killed your mother. You are bull shark, and while you start off as a tiny terror you will, by constantly eating, grow into a formidable finned foe. Utilizing abilities, shear brute force, a tail whip, and gnashing rows of razor sharp teeth you will make your way to the top of the food chain as this televised, and comically narrated adventure's apex predator. With the territory comes threats though, and evolution is the key to survival.

From your own decorated grotto hideaway to various watery hunting grounds you'll find lots to do as Maneater's very own bull shark. Through narration, and onscreen button focused tutorials you'll begin your journey by learning the basics. You'll find that you have at your disposal a biting attack, a bite and tail whip, the ability to jump high out of the water, and the ability to evade dangerous creatures. The controls aren't too hard to grasp, and with the game's targeting and alert system navigating each locale's murky depths won't be too difficult. So long as you mind your current level, and seek out prey that you can handle for that level. The gameplay, as it were, is that of an RPG experience, and part of that experience is based around an XP leveling system. By eating creatures, and humans you will not only replenish lost health, but earn XP points, and needed parts for your growth. While growth is a core part of your evolution you'll find that the shark you control can also gain powers, and abilities by defeating boss creatures. The abilities include things like sonar used for scanning for other creatures near your vicinity while the power evolutions give you unnatural powers, and sometimes skins with added elemental effect. Things that will help you progress more easily into newer areas, or face creatures that would have been harder to beat without.

The gameplay loop within Maneater includes slowly growing your bull shark via constant hunting, and the seeking out the game's hidden items, and areas. All while you take on objective based story missions, and sub-missions. Through a menu, not unlike that of GTA, you will find a map with item locations, a laundry list of given objectives or missions, and your abilities menu. Pressing the appropriate button on it will pause the gameplay, and bring it all up. As you are hunting prey, and completing said objectives via arrow pointer and compass bearings a narrator will talk about your exploits, and give a play by play account of your rise to power. Often times stopping to comment on little cameo areas that you happen upon which depict certain world events that happened within the Maneater world. It's the equivalent of flavor text, but keeps things lively as you slowly grow into the mega shark you are aiming to be.

Locations within the world of Maneater are quartered off into sections that are divided by land masses. land masses that can be flopped over or swam past through age gated tunnels. As you grow, and gain the extra abilities you'll basically be able to go into new areas that were previously locked away according to the required age. That age being teen or adult. Each area has it's own unique prey, and prey related missions. Also side objectives geared towards finding energy caches, license plates, and signs that when rammed trigger the narrator to speak out about that area's scenery. Sometimes you'll simply be eating for XP gain. Other times you'll be hunting harder boss-like targets, and even facing off against human hunters in boats that you have to sink so that you can eat them. While there's definitely a lot of prey to whet a hungry shark's appetite there are some encounters along the way that edge on being boss battles, and must be approached with extreme caution. Figuring out when to sneak about stealthily, or go on a bloody rampage is the key to beating the game. In some cases evasion, and retreat are a must.

Graphically, Maneater is a sight to behold. A pseudo-realistic cartoony world with environments that are slightly more real in detail. The world is littered with items to find, and plenty of interesting locations to behold. From area to area the water cloudiness changes as does the lighting. Seeing the bull shark swim, and thrash about is about as real to life as it can get for a video game of this caliber, and is quite impressively animated. The creatures that inhabit both lake, and land swim, and move about as if they are either in fear of you or looking to take a bite of your fishy flesh. It makes the experience more believable, and immersive. Giving life to what seems to be a living, and breathing ecosystem that just so happens to be your hunting grounds. Audio is also well done with the one standout thing being the comical narration that has a hint of reality TV about it.

The Verdict ...

I loved this game. I had figured it would be good, and that's why I sought to review it. I thought it looked worthy of a playthrough, and it did not disappoint. I won't lie, and say haven't heard other reviewers pick this game apart for minor reasons, but to me it hit the nail on the head. It's what I've always wanted from a shark video game. It satisfies that morbid curiosity we all have about sharks, and lets us experience it first hand as a shark on a quest for revenge. With the attention to detail regarding the story, and the informational worldly tidbits Maneater makes for a pleasing experience. One that shouldn't be passed up. It gets the Inferno's "Hell Yeah!!!" seal of approval!