Maneater from Tripwire Interactive and Deep Silver is a single-player open-world RPG where you take control of a shark. Did that grab your attention? Find out more in our Maneater review!

 

Tripwire Interactive and Deep Silver describe Maneater as a ShaRkPG – that is, a shark RPG… which is pretty much what this is! Your journey will begin as a mighty and deadly shark who is very mighty and mightily deadly. It’s all fun and games until the unfortunate introduction of “Scaly” Pete. You see, “Scaly” Pete is a fisherman that’s in the business of killing sharks. Why? Because it seems that his father was killed by a great white shark – at least that’s what he heard all of the time! This is why he hunts sharks left and right, and that’s how your mother – the shark you control during the game’s prologue – ends up dying.

You’ll get to control a baby shark – please, no puns – who will need to grow up into a mighty, dare we say, deadly shark, in order to have what it takes to survive the big fight with “Scaly” Pete so that you can get the revenge you desperately seek. Your journey will be narrated by a narrator that is voiced by actor Chris Parnell, as a voice actor, if you will, with the whole thing set as if it was some sort of bizarre reality TV show. As you can probably imagine, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously.

 

You’ll move your shark around with the left analog stick as you spin the camera with the right one. You’ll take a bite at your opponents with the R2 button, as you lunge with the L2 button, or use a tailwhip attack with the L1 button. To focus your attention on threats – such as other predators or those nasty humans – you can press down on the right analog stick and its R3 button. You can use the R1 button for a quick evade to avoid any potential danger. You’ll have to gain speed and jump out of the water every now and then to take a bite of what is out there on boats, trying to harm you. Be sure to use your map by pressing up on the D-Pad so that you can check everything that is around you so that you can plan your next move. You also have a sonar that is activated with the Circle button, which will allow you to find stuff in the area.

 

There’s a long list of objectives for you to complete. Some will help to move the story forward, while others are for gaining what is needed to boost your power and expand your skillset. There are many collectibles to search for and grab all over the map, and by completing some objectives, you will make your shark change into the mighty and deadly predator it’s set to be. You’ll improve your sonar, gain bio-electric teeth, reinforced cartilage, better fins that can deal damage while you evade attacks, and more.

As for the game’s trophies, Maneater is one with a full list with a Platinum trophy at the end of the road. The good news is that the game has no missable trophies, so as long as you put in the time and 100% each of the different sections of the map as your shark grows and as you unlock new abilities for it, you’ll be having a good time having a good time. Depending on how you go about playing the game, you’ll looking at around 12-14 hours, give or take an hour, to add one more Platinum to your collection.

 

I had a lot of fun while playing the game for this Maneater review. It’s a very interesting concept, what with you controlling a shark that grows from a small and young baby to a deadly predator that is out for blood. The game has more than enough content to justify its $39.99 asking price, making this an easy one to recommend on Sony’s console. If you’re looking for something different to play, then give this one a go!

Disclaimer
This Maneater review is based on a PlayStation 4 copy provided by Tripwire Interactive.