Shark Attack Deathmatch 2 Preview

The depths of the ocean are a beautiful deep blue. As I swim gently through the currents, harpoon gun at the ready, a rusted shipwreck looms into view. Exploring its shell I discover some extra ammo and a spare oxygen tank. Happy with what is an excellent haul I emerge from the boat and spot another diver in the distance. Readying my harpoon gun, I zoom in on the hapless man. He has no idea I’m here. It’s then that ominous music begins to hum, indicating that something is, in fact, hunting me.

Too late I turn around to see the gaping jaws of a great white shark closing around me. The jaws slam shut, blood fills the water and I jump from my computer chair in surprise.
This kind of nasty surprise is exactly what makes Shark Attack Deathmatch 2 so engrossing. Designed by South African developers Lighthouse Games Studios, the game takes the modern idea of a multiplayer FPS deathmatch and plunges it 30 feet underwater. Up to eight players can battle it out in a variety of gorgeous underwater environments, attempting to off each other with a set of suitably-themed underwater murder tools.

Each of the underwater arenas is a fully 3D space – players can move in any direction as they attempt to sneak up on their foes. Whether floating lazily near the surface or charging from the depths of a canyon, there are opportunities for multiple tactics and strategies. Were the underwater combat the only feature of Deathmatch 2 you could still forgive it for being an interesting FPS set in an intriguing space. There is, however, the small matter of the local fauna.

For you see, you’re never only fighting humans in Deathmatch 2. Only a few seconds into each map you’ll realise that you’re being joined in this bloodbath a pack of inquisitive (and hungry) sharks. The sharks are superbly modelled and programmed. At first they won’t be interested in your diver and his murderous antics (unless you harass or attack them). Once blood begins to seep into the water, though, the sharks will take notice.

Points can be gained by killing both players and sharks. Trying to avoid both is what gives Deathmatch 2 an intense, heart-pounding edge over contemporaries. One moment you could be sneaking up on an enemy and the next trying to fend off an attack by a bull shark that took advantage of your turned back. Similarly you can capitalise on someone trying to escape the ferocious predators by sticking a harpoon in his back as he flees.

The game’s soundtrack really helps to add to the tension. Underwater the noises are suitably dulled, and the only real sounds you hear are the swish of your harpoon gun, the breathing of your diver and the sound of bubbles rising from your equipment. That all changes, though, when you’ve gained the attention of a shark. A bombastic track, similar in vein to the infamous Jaws music, will slowly chart your new role as prey.

This experience is further heightened in the game’s survival mode, where you are dropped into one of the levels on your own and given the task of simply staying alive for 15 minutes. You can’t just hide in a boat of cave, though – your oxygen will run low every few minutes, requiring you to go out in search of fresh canisters. These moments are incredibly tense as you desperately scan in all directions for the intimidating outline of one of your aquatic predators.

The game is still in early development and there are a few niggles and issues here and there. There are scant few weapons and I noticed that the sharks can still attack you through walls if there are windows or holes in them (even if they’re smaller than the shark’s jaws). On top of this, many modes and features are still greyed out and being worked on. The game’s matchmaking system is slightly spotty, too – it took me a few tries to find a server with more than one person playing on it.

Lighthouse Game Studios have promised a lot more from this title, including a playable shark level and further improvements to the levels, modes and player mechanics. If you’re looking for an FPS with a difference and one that is sure to get better and better as time goes on (or if you love Jaws, Sharknado et al.) then Shark Attack Deathmatch 2 is a game you should keep an eye out for.