This has to be one of the most surprising games of the year. Jaws Unleashed is a new game based around the original Jaws film developed by Appaloosa Interactive who also developed the award-winning Ecco the Dolphin series. Everyone that has heard about this game has wanted to play it. Why? You play Jaws! The idea of actually playing the shark from the movie and swimming around eating people somehow sparks everyone’s’ imagination. It’s a must play game that’s for sure.

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Game Play

Well as you’ve probably guessed by now the game is about an island called Amity which is being terrorised by a Great White shark. You play the shark. You can either choose the story mode or free roam. In story mode you are pursued by renowned shark hunter Cruz Ruddock who wants to kill you, and Marine Biologist Michael Brody tries to capture you for research.

There are a total of 10 marine environments to wreak your havoc in. Believe it or not there is a story being told along each level. The game is essentially a fun arcade game with a Jaws movie backdrop. Each of the environments and settings are taken from scenes that you may be familiar with from the films. For example in one level you have to escape after being captured, this includes smashing your way through a series of underwater glass tunnel much like the ones found in Jaws 3.

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Jaws Unleased is one of those games where you think it would never work, but it does. The whole game is what games are supposed to be. Fun. The developers have really gone to town. There’s quite a lot of depth to the game. You have a number of targets and methods of attack. As in the films you have boats, swimmers, fish, and drivers in cages. You can charge at your target, bite and dismember, even give them a swipe with your tail. Hot on your tracks are divers trying to spear your with harpoons, and even bosses in the shape of killer whales to contend with. You have two gauges, health and hunger. You can heal yourself by eating whatever’s nearby.

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As well as having divers, boats and killer whales to devour the game offers a number of secrets which can be revealed by eating objects such as number plates in the game. The game has a number of scenes from the movie which can be unlocked and viewed from the main menu. While not a great feature it does give you something else to look for and aim towards while playing the game. During the game you earn points which can be spent on upgrading the shark’s abilities.

The longevity of a game like this does come into question. The story mode is all well and good but it doesn’t last that long. Devouring and dismembering of unaware swimmers while fun at first, the long term interest may diminish quite quickly. The game does include a free roam mode so you can continue to play the game as long as you really have interest in biting and eating things.

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Other downsides also include some poor camera angles, although you can choose between third and first person view. While the missions are fun at times they can also be frustrating. The story is essentially part of the fun and shouldn’t be taken seriously. The first level has you grab a scientist who has a pass card from a walkway and drag him over to a card reader to open a door. Obviously a game has to be made and missions have to be created, but some of the things you have to do are plain weird, but funny when you think about it. The control system and speed at which the shark moves can also mean it’s all too easy to miss your target.

Graphics

It’s really hard to judge this one. While the game is unique and the game engines runs smoothly it’s not the most graphically accomplished game ever made. The graphics feel a little dated and a bit cartoon like. However, the scenes are well thought out and each environment different which is more than can be said for a lot of games on the market today.

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Sound

The music in the game obviously includes the usual dee dum, dee dum music associated with the Jaws movies. While the game would be nothing without the soundtrack, it certainly doesn’t sound like the orchestral magic of the original John Williams sound track. There are also occasions in some levels where the screams and same sounding yells for help get annoying.

Overall

Jaws Unleashed is a very different kettle of fish (excuse the pun) from the norm. The developers have to be rewarded for their efforts in making this such a fun and different experience, even if it is short lived and with a few too many flaws. A lot of imagination has gone into this game to make it a fun and sometimes enjoyable experience. The graphics are dated, the soundtrack isn’t that good. In a world where every RTS is very similar to the last and every FPS is a rehash, an original game like Jaws Unleashed maybe what you’re looking for.