“HEY YOU KIDS, GET OFFA MY LAWN!!
Please don’t sing that “Baby Shark” song here.
Way back in 2006, developer Appaloosa Interactive and publisher Majesco released JAWS Unleashed, an officially licensed game that had players take on the role of the shark in an open-world adventure set 30 years after the original film. While it suffered from some camera issues and a few glitches, the game was quite a guilty pleasure many players liked for its shark-driven bloody violence and some pretty wry humor in all the M-rated mayhem caused.
Me, I have both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of that older game here, plus an Xbox review build from Majesco that I got at a press event for the game, which was a ton of fun to play, warts and all. The Xbox versions are buried in a pile of games here, but I did locate a sealed PS2 version I should crack open at some point (I’d reviewed the Xbox version many moons ago on a new defunct website).
I don’t think a bigger boat will help much, to be honest.
Flash forward to 2020, and developer Tripwire Interactive has what looks like a much meatier game called Maneater coming this May and man, does it bring back some good and gory memories.
Here’s a somewhat tongue in cheek trailer to ogle:
Based on the description below, the game looks to be an intriguing mix of genres:
Publisher and developer Tripwire Interactive is excited to announce a partnership with Deep Silver, Inc. to bring Maneater, the highly anticipated action-RPG where you play as a shark (aka ShARkPG), to all major console systems. Scheduled to launch on May 22, 2020 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC (via the Epic Games Store), with plans to launch later in 2020 on Nintendo Switch™, Maneater invites players to experience the ultimate power fantasy as the apex predator of the seas.
In this single-player action-RPG, players must fight to survive as a baby bull shark. Grow in power as you explore a wide range of underwater environments, from swamps and rivers to beachside resorts and the deep blue sea. Your only tools are your wits, your jaws, and the uncanny ability to evolve as you feed. Eat, explore, and evolve the ultimate killing machine in Maneater!
Excellent. I so want in on this one on day one because hey, who doesn’t want to be a shark every now and then? Being a Jet is kind of boring with all the “Get cool, boy” stuff, learning to dance and sing in key and all that jazz. This May, you can give Officer Krupky a chomp he won’t soon forget. Maria better look out as will, as a shark hickey in nothing to joke about. Wait. I think I got my entertainment a bit mixed up in all the giddiness about Tripwire’s upcoming game. It happens sometimes. I’ll see you on the beach, by the way.
-GW
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 