Although, it's not as unique as people make it out to be. Much like the 2006 movie inspired video game 'Jaws Unleashed', 'Maneater' also has the player roam third person perspective freely feeding on other animals and humans as a large shark, destroying everything in its path in their near open world. Just minus all the glitches, freezing up and camera problems that "Jaws Unleashed' had. For the most part the game also had the better revenge story. However, the abrupt ending involving the Cajun fisherman "Scaly Pete" LeBlanc (Voiced by Carlo Mestroni) was a bit disappointing. The story felt a bit unfinished. It seems like they wasted a perfectly good subplot involving Pete's conflict with Kyle (Raphael Grosz-Harvey) over not wanting to continue into the family business and the traditions that come with it due to morals. That part of the story could had really added more emotional depth and fine fitting drama that was somewhat missing. Hopefully the sequel would explore that with Kyle and the Mega backstory a little more. Because without it, the be kind environmental message is a bit lost between the comedic fun no guilt hunting blood and guts. Regardless I still love the great sense of humor even if developers Tripwire Interactive didn't make the overall story of 'Maneater' take itself too seriously. One of the highlights is the unseen narrator (Voiced by Chris Parnell) whom also host, the in-game reality TV show about the subject of hunters fighting against marine life. I like that he spits out semi humorous exposition or not so accurate animal facts triggered by the player's actions as the shark. Often breaking the fourth wall and urging the gamer not to think too deeply about the biological inaccuracies of random out of place animals being in the gulf coast, large fishes being able to breach along with having sonar and the surrealism of toxic mutagenic helping you rather than causing your demise. I also dig that he's constantly making snarky remarks about oceanfront citizens of Port Clovis and their mistreated abuse of the gulf coast. Some of the jokes are really funny and clever; others fall flat. Nevertheless, I really love all the witty references nods to famous movies and television shows from him. According to the developers, in order to keep the dialogue fresh, Parnell has recorded many different lines solely dedicated to any situations that the gamer choose to play in the seven ocean zones as they move from pup to leviathan levels through eating sea creatures and paralyzed stupid AI beachgoers for grown, combating ranks of boats full of bounty hunters or apex predators for special skills, exploring sewer pipes mazes/underwater caves or seeking other additional rewards like looking for signs through its beautiful scenery waters. Along with that, there is also ton to see on land. So, it's always worth hysterical flopping around on the surface to see about gaining more points. Once the player gains enough, the bull shark must enter underwater grottos to unlock new abilities such as shadowy stealth, shock and awe powerful electric bolt or a born covered battering ram; along increasing in size. It only then that the main story will come back and continue its too short game plot. As for the game mechanics. It's a mixed bag. I like that the game starts with all the upgrades, only to take it away for you to build yourself back to that level. While somewhat limiting at first as you can barely jump. It's quite easy to reach that mark by 1.5 of the way though the game by farming. Swimming long distance is also not really that problem as they are fast travel points throughout the map. As for the combat mechanics, it is quite simple as with dodging attacks and charging feeding frenzy. Yet the whipping of enemies with the tail could had been better as it barely does damage to underwater opponent and often misses on surface enemies. The idea that you can use a swordfish as spear by tail whip is really hard to pull off with the lousy locking system. Most gamers just prefer using the charger due to the fact that controlling the camera is with the same input. Because of that, it makes certain boss battles not that challenging even with combine enemies as charger can also cause the shark to outrun pretty much anything in the water, allow you to regain health quickly by snacking on nearby prey. The game gets easier rather than harder as it goes on. Regardless "Maneater' still suffered from lack of combat varieties. Attacks animation get often repetitive. Despite that, the game looks great. Everything was beautifully rendered for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. I love how the shadow of a big predator can be seen in the murky waters or boats moving above. The changes toward night and day is also nice. You can see the sun rises and falling behind the waves or surface level. As for the land. The background of the city is quite big and detail, especially in the evenings near the fairgrounds with the lights on. Along with the visuals. The sound effects and background music compose by Daniel James set the aesthetic mood very well. Near peaceful quiet in harmony at times when exploring and intensely stormy when battles are about to kick in. Overall: While this game might continue to feed into the perception that sharks attacks are common despite contrary to popular belief, most show little pattern of attacking humans as we tend to not provide much protein to them nor taste good. I still thought "Maneater' was a mega hit. I cannot wait for the sequel. Hopefully they will have more over the top genetically engineered apex predators like giant squids, prehistoric kaijus like Loss Ness monster or otherworldly Cthulhu like gods to the mix. In the end this is one game worth biting into.
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