Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
There have been plenty of games through the years that have let us swim around under the
sea as Dolphins, but very few that let us gain control of the master predator himself,
Mr Shark (cause you damn well better approach these merciless killing machines with respect).
Hungry Shark Evolution changes all that by presenting us with a game based on a stunning
contrast. The serene beauty of swimming around the calm blue ocean, punctuated by a feeding
frenzy of tropical fish, turtles, and man alike. Truly a smorgasbord for the senses.
And in terms of sensory pleasure, the game does deliver on sight, sound, and touch. The
art style conveys a lush underwater world ripe for exploration, the sound creates a
relaxing atmosphere, even when you're jumping up in the air to gobble up a pelican, and
the controls do their best to aid the experience. The shark swims via a tight tilt interface,
with a simple touch of the screen to engage the dash meter in case you wish to leap into
the air, or chase down a particularly fast fleeing fish.
Your health is combined as a sort of stamina meter as well. If you don't continuously chow
down everything in your path, your meter will go down, and the game is over once that reaches
zero (and it can also be lowered by larger sharks, jellyfish, and all other sorts of
nasties). Once dead, all the coins you've collected in your underwater travels can be
used to upgrade your shark. During the game, nudging sea shells will unlock missions that
when completed will reward you with coins and experience. Once your shark levels up
enough, it will grow into a greater species, and more of the world will be at your fingertips.
And while these upgrade mechanics give a nice sense of progression tied into the mission
structure, the underwater world that the game presents nurtures this want for exploration,
yet so little of it is available to you from the get-go. This might discourage a little,
but really, swimming around and chomping things is more than fun enough to recommend this
title to anyone who wants an amusing, enjoyable way to pass some time.