Maneater Review

In video games, it is not unusual to play the role of an animal who kills other animals. The protagonist is usually an animal that kills humans. Maneater allows you to take control of a Bull Shark female and eat all the food in its path. The game was released last year on multiple platforms to a good reception, and with multiple RPG attributes including unlockable abilities, levelling up and infamy levels, Maneater is much more than just a simple swimming simulator on Switch.

Maneater is told via television in a show titled "Maneaters vs. Sharkhunters". It is narrated by Chris Parnell, who many will know from Rick and Morty and Archer. The TV series follows Scaly Pete, a shark hunter who is attacked by a shark pup. He kills his mother at the beginning of the game. You are the one who takes control of that shark pup. The rest of Maneater follows a fun story. You can take it at your own pace and explore new areas as you go.

Maneater's attention to the actual shark is a nice touch. Bull sharks are able to survive in freshwater and saltwater and are responsible for many near-shore shark attacks. The game was therefore apt to follow their example. The game also shows their tendency to bite and shake enemies so that they can't flee. It's great to see the developers keeping this in mind, even with sharks.

It is simple enough to control your shark, and swimming is a fluid and easy process. Fighting enemies can make things more difficult as dodging and attacking are not always easy. It can be difficult to concentrate on one enemy, especially when you're in a group. You might even find yourself missing your bite attack, even though you're right in front. There are also chances that enemies might get stuck in walls and ceilings. However, this will make it easier to attack them.

Every creature in Maneater has an objective. There are many predatory fish and mammal species that you can face. They start out as barracudas and crocodiles, but become much more difficult to defeat later in the game. You can also recover your health by eating smaller fish and creatures like turtles and mackerel that you find around the game. This will allow you to gain fats, minerals, and mutagens which can be used to upgrade your shark. These upgrades allow you to get bites that have different abilities such as poisoning or paralysing and also improve your body, tail, and organs, making it a more enjoyable game.

You can explore the seas without worrying about other sea creatures. There are caches, road signs, and license plates to collect. Hidden grates can also be found to keep you busy. There are many environments to explore, from bayous to golf courses. The grottos, which you can level up and use fast travel, are an especially enjoyable place to swim through. You will need to travel back and forth between different areas in Maneater in order to collect all the items. You will find many icons on the map and shark sonar built-in, making it easier to find things. However, some items may not be possible at first.

If you don't feel like fighting sea creatures, there are plenty of people around just waiting to be sucked in. It's strangely satisfying to jump out of the water and grab someone from a boat before eating them. You'll be hunted if you do this too often. Scaly Pete isn't the only sharkhunter around, and these people are armed with weapons. These fights require faster reactions from you, and are more rewarding than the ones that take place in the water. You'll find abilities and unlockable sets as you work your way through the list. This will make it easier to defeat the next hunter.

Maneater is a fun game to play, but the graphics on Switch could use some work, especially for humans. Your shark, the water and many of the sea creatures are very similar to their real counterparts. Unfortunately, most humans look a bit blocky when they are close to them. Some textures can also drop, which can be a problem, especially during important fights.

Although it has its challenges, Maneater is a great game. The shark is a great specimen to explore the oceans with. It's also great to meet other creatures of different sizes and shapes with additional abilities. The game has some issues with graphics and glitches that can cause problems, but they are not enough to make it difficult. Maneater is a great game to relax after a stressful day. However, any humans who try to come up against your shark will need more than a larger boat.