Maneater
Released May 22nd, 2020.
Developer/Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
Director: Bill Munk
Available for various platforms.
Rated M.
Xbox One RPG
Awards: None as of 06/20/2023
Plot Summary
After losing her mother to a fisherman, a bull shark seeks revenge. While she indiscriminately hunts and eats humans, she seeks out the man responsible for her mother's murder all the while sensing that there might be a predator greater than humans lurking out in the deep.
Developer Background
Tripwire Interactive LLC is a subsidiary of parent company Saber Interactive. It was founded in 2005 by Alan Wilson and John Gibson and is located in Roswell, Georgia. Besides Maneater, Tripwire is known for the games Red Orchestra and Killing Floor.
Critical Evaluation
If it weren't for the violence and gore in Maneater, it would be a really relaxing game. The shark glides along smoothly in beautiful underwater seascapes, and it's actually pretty tranquil. Then the player remembers that this is a shark revenge game and jumps out of the water to eat jet ski riders and the moment in ruined. The graphics in Maneater are calm and pale blue under the water with rippling anemone formations and other fish gliding by, but above they are a reminder of the imposition of humans on the ocean; there are discarded vehicles, bright lights, loud noises, and humans everywhere. There are two distinct feelings for the player depending on where the shark is swimming, calm below, and bloodthirst above. Maneater is a straightforward violent mission-based game but the fact that you're a shark, and a traumatized shark at that, removes any feelings of guilt one has about ending so many human lives. They're in your territory, they killed your mom, and they all had this coming.
The overriding plot and mission of Maneater are not immediately clear, but that doesn't make it any less fun.
Speed Round
Maneater is Grand Theft Auto, but you're a shark. And instead of going on morally questionable missions, you just eat and smash things. I mean all this in a good way.
Potential Challenges
While there might be an objection to the violence in the game, it seems as though violence is less objectionable than sex. The fact that it's further separated by being an animal makes think that this would be a safe addition to a teen shelf.
Library Program
So many people loves sharks, this opens itself up to all sorts of displays, shark recommendations, take and make projects, or even an introduction to citizen science or shark activism.
Reason for Inclusion
This would be an easy game to recommend; it's fun, it's easy to learn how to play, and it has sharks. It also satisfies the desire for a violent game but feels much more like a cartoon than actual violence.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripwire_Interactive
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