MANEATER (XONE)
While sandbox games have become a dime-a-dozen during the eighth-generation, Maneater nevertheless would prove a novel concept. Shark games also aren’t anything new, but considering the lists comprises of the likes of Jaws Unleashed and way too many mobile games to count, it’s refreshing to see the idea backed by a bigger budget for once. While the “ShaRkPG” base is perhaps stretched too thinly towards the end, those looking for a unique open-world, plenty of humour and shark-based wish fulfilment should glean a good deal of fun out of this one, and the cheaper price-tag definitely softens the blow of some of the more serious issues.
Scaly Pete is a notorious shark hunter who, along with his son, is being filmed for a reality show. His error is killing a shark, gutting it and ripping the infant from its womb, though he pays for this with his hand. Your job, after learning a few basics, is to evolve this female bullshark into a killing machine, as you set out to exact your revenge on your mother’s killer and the man who disfigured you. The premise seems basic, but there’s a genuine wit underneath which keeps things enjoyable. Chris Parnel’s narration adds to this immensely, with a slew of jokes and puns which work thanks to his distinctive tone and delivery. The main thread is decent enough, which helps Maneater remain narratively compelling.
Scaly Pete is a notorious shark hunter who, along with his son, is being filmed for a reality show. His error is killing a shark, gutting it and ripping the infant from its womb, though he pays for this with his hand. Your job, after learning a few basics, is to evolve this female bullshark into a killing machine, as you set out to exact your revenge on your mother’s killer and the man who disfigured you. The premise seems basic, but there’s a genuine wit underneath which keeps things enjoyable. Chris Parnel’s narration adds to this immensely, with a slew of jokes and puns which work thanks to his distinctive tone and delivery. The main thread is decent enough, which helps Maneater remain narratively compelling.
All the quests, growth and exploration of an RPG... except you're a shark
An open world game, Tripwire would place emphasis on growth and abilities. Divvied into a handful of regions, you always start by establishing a grotto where you can upgrade, retreat and teleport between. After, you’re given similar tasks between each. Clearing a certain breed of fish, chomping through humans, destroying a certain target and eventually challenging the apex predator of each region – then repeat. There are also tons of collectibles, ranging from mineral-boosting caches to license plates which sometimes require timed jumps to reach. To be honest, repetition sets in pretty quick, and were it a lengthy game like most sandboxes, it could cause insanity. But luckily, it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, as even thorough gamers will likely clear this one in less than 20 hours. It’s a bit cheaper than most games, but the shorter length and repetition may turn some off.
Luckily, Maneater proves destructively compelling. Controlling the shark feels natural, with swimming physics feeling spot-on and diving out of water mostly works well. Chomps feel heavy and impactful – not unlike real shark bites – and there’s a dark satisfaction in chewing up both fish and humans. Upgrades are fun to experiment with, as progression rewards parts for each area of the shark as well as mutagens which add boons. Special armour sets can be completed to add another buff, and minerals earned can be used to upgrade both sides of the coin. Story progression also sees your shark increase in size, growing from a teen into a mega-shark, which is immensely gratifying. The most chaotic moments of Maneater come from the Infamy system, which increases as you chomp on humans and their boats. Levelling up your Infamy Level concludes with a lead hunter boss fight, resulting in hellacious fights which grow tougher as you progress. Put simply, this game is just good, uncomplicated fun.
Luckily, Maneater proves destructively compelling. Controlling the shark feels natural, with swimming physics feeling spot-on and diving out of water mostly works well. Chomps feel heavy and impactful – not unlike real shark bites – and there’s a dark satisfaction in chewing up both fish and humans. Upgrades are fun to experiment with, as progression rewards parts for each area of the shark as well as mutagens which add boons. Special armour sets can be completed to add another buff, and minerals earned can be used to upgrade both sides of the coin. Story progression also sees your shark increase in size, growing from a teen into a mega-shark, which is immensely gratifying. The most chaotic moments of Maneater come from the Infamy system, which increases as you chomp on humans and their boats. Levelling up your Infamy Level concludes with a lead hunter boss fight, resulting in hellacious fights which grow tougher as you progress. Put simply, this game is just good, uncomplicated fun.
Running on Unreal Engine 4, this one does suffer from some of the foibles associated with that but often proves a modestly attractive game. Texture pop-ins and slowdown are a shame, but the game does a good job of handling tons of aquatic life undersea, humans on land, seamlessly swapping between the two and even features a nice day/night cycle to boot. The shark itself is a definite highlight, showcased rather well in the upgrade menu and featuring a bevvy of details. The audio side is a bit plainer, with a lack of memorable music and some weaker sound effects. But the voice acting and script mostly hit the mark, at the very least.
Maneater proves a nice change of pace from recent sandbox games, with its distinct setup and noticeable funny bone proving the highlights. Though the basic concept does become a touch trite towards the end, and some may be turned off by its rapid pace and shorter length, its easier to swallow these issues when the game is such fun. It won’t replace the best of the genre for some, but anyone looking for straightforward, anarchic fun would do well to check this one out.
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VERDICT
"Though the basic concept does become a touch trite towards the end, Maneater stands out thanks to it’s distinctive setup and noticeable funny streak." OVERALL: 7/10 |