Maneater, developed by Tripwire and published by Deep Silver released late last year. Shortly after, in January of this year the game released free for Playstation Plus subscribers with it’s PS5 version. That’s when I originally played this crazy game. The Playstation 5 was still super fresh from release and I was hungry to play any new “next gen” game. While this newer iteration didn’t blow my socks off, it was still a heck of a good time and cured an itch for me in games I hadn’t had scratched in a long time. It’s always nice to play a game that isn’t always perfect, doesn’t try to be, and is fully in on the joke. For a game where you are playing a giant killer shark, that is by far the smartest decision the developers made.
The game starts you off as a pup shark who wreaks havoc of Port Clovis. There are eight regions in the entire map, each one you grow bigger and bigger, while also needing to defeat a goofy shark hunter boss. There are also multiple types of collectibles throughout the map, as well as items that help you level up. The original base game level caps you at 30. With this “Truth Quest” expansion, that has now been expanded to level 40. This DLC also adds a brand-new region to Port Clovis, it’s not necessarily all that big, but the overall theme of this extra content is “conspiracy theories” and they did a great job filling up this little region with exactly those elements. With alien space-crafts, Area 51 type locations and side quests killing tinfoil hat wearing people called “Questers.”
Maneater: Truth Quest brings back the great Chris Parnell’s narration, which is easily one of the biggest highlights of the game. As a shark merely swimming around the ocean, his comedic voicework really helps liven up the game and keeps you invested. Without the narration there would hardly be any dialogue, except for the random humans screaming in fear or the ones yelling while trying to kill you. Unfortunately, as far as story, this expansion is just clearly that, an expansion that keeps the gamer playing perhaps longer than necessary. Substance is lacking.
The coolest part of Maneater: Truth Quest I would say are the new upgrades you get to your shark. Previous unlockables such as electricity or shadow themed abilities, now you get to unlock perks to make you the most atomic shark in the world. So, in Maneater nutty fashion, your shark slowly develops awesome, ridiculous nuclear related powers. There is effort in trying to mix things up a little bit, such as adding these comm towers that must be destroyed, but the process to destroying them felt a bit annoying and tedious. Hopping around on land with a human or explosive in your mouth and hurling them into the comm tower several times sounds fun while writing it down just now, but the execution just lacked the fun aspect for me. There are several missions that have repetitive tasks you need to do.
The bottom line is Maneater: Truth Quest is a fairly brief expansion that can be completed in two or three decent sittings. It doesn’t break its mold all that much, it’s merely more of the same. Which, may not necessarily be a bad thing. I had a great time playing as my over powered shark doing insane things. After completing the game back in January, it was fun to go back and dip my toes in the water again. Perhaps though, as a gamer playing Maneater for the very first time, this expansion may feel like an exhaustive chore after completing the appropriately paced base game. So, basically, just pace yourself and pop in for a good dumb time, just know, that too much can be overkill.
7/10
Check Out the Maneater: Truth Quest Video – https://youtu.be/wAO2o0rS0mY
For more details on Maneater: Truth Quest, please visit the official website – and follow the developers at Tripwire Interactive on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch.tv, and Instagram.
Related: Maneater: Truth Quest Now Out for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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