Feeding Frenzy (video game)

Infobox VG
title= Feeding Frenzy


caption= Screenshot from Feeding Frenzy
developer= PopCap Games (formerly by Sprout Games)
publisher= PopCap Games (previously by GameHouse)
distributor= Various
designer= James Gwertzman, Del Chafe and Ed Allard
series= Feeding Frenzy
engine=
version= 5.7.18.1
released= February 11, 2004
modes= Single Player
ratings = ESRB: Everyone (E)
platforms= Windows, Macintosh, Game Boy Advance, Xbox, Xbox 360
media= CD, Online Download, PDA, Smartphone
requirements= OS: Win 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista. Memory: 128 MB RAM. DirectX: 7.0. Processor: Pentium II, 350MHz or faster.
input= Keyboard, Mouse

"Feeding Frenzy" is an arcade-style aquatic game written by Sprout Games, and published by PopCap Games. With an initial debut in 2004, it saw re-release on the Xbox Live Arcade service, with versions for both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version, released March 15 2006, was the 17th most popular Xbox Live Arcade title for 2006. [cite web | url=http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx | title=Top Xbox Live Games of 2006 | publisher=Majornelson.com | date=2006-12-30]

In February 2006, the sequel to this game, "" was released. The sequel adds new underwater environments, new aquatic creatures, and new power-ups. Additionally, several levels are split between above and below water environments, providing the ability to jump out of the water for brief periods of time.

Gameplay

In "Feeding Frenzy", players control a hungry marine predator intent on munching as many other fish as possible. During the course of the game's 40 levels, the player takes on the role of different aquatic species (ending with an orca during the last few levels), each trying to move up the food chain. As smaller fish are eaten, the player's own fish grows in size and becomes capable of eating somewhat larger fish. By the end of each level, the fish is sufficiently large that it can eat almost anything on-screen. Players must be vigilant for hazards which include depth charges, larger predators, and jellyfish.

If the player eats a sufficiently large number of fish in a short period of time, a score-enhancing "Feeding Frenzy" is initiated. If the player continues to rapidly consume other fish, a further "Double Frenzy" can be achieved. These both end when a short period of time without further rapid consumption elapses.

The full game includes both a normal mode and a "time attack" mode.

pecial abilities

Most of the marine animals which the player controls have additional special abilities. These include a maneuver which allows for a quick burst of speed, as well as an ability which allows large schools of fish to be sucked in at once.

Power-ups

In addition to pearls and other items which can be consumed for bonus points, the game also includes several power-ups which can be eaten in order to gain an instantaneous or short-term effect. These include:

* 1UP: Provides an extra life when consumed.
* Frenzy: Causes the game to pause for a moment as the player automatically eats every on-screen fish which he or she can safely eat.
* Shield: Allows the player to survive a single incident which would usually result in death, instead consuming the shield.
* Speed: Confers an increase in speed for a period of time, although this can potentially be dangerous, as it's much easier to accidentally swim into predators.
* Stun: Stuns all other on-screen life-forms for a limited period of time.

Playable Characters

Andy - Andy is an angelfish and is the smallest playable fish.

Leon - Leon is a lionfish who is larger and faster than Andy and is the second playable character. Unlike other lionfish, he is colored orange instead of yellow. The lionfish first appears early in the game as the largest fish a player can eat after obtaining the maximum size.

Edie - Edie is an anglerfish that lives deep in the ocean. Edie has a big mouth but small tail and fins, which make him slightly slower but with a powerful "suck" ability. He is colored brown, unlike other anglerfish which are colored green. He is the third playable character.

J.D. - J.D. stands for John Dory, a fish who is both fast and powerful. John Dories are first encountered in Edie's levels as the largest fish. JD is close in size to a barracuda, and as he grows larger, he can eventually consume them. He is the fourth playable character.

Orville - Orville is an orca who can eat barracudas as if they were minnows during his levels of the game. Orville is the largest and final playable character. During the last level, he is able to eat the "Shark King", while in his earlier levels, he can eat sharks after growing larger.

Other notable sea creatures

Starfish - Starfish serve only as bonus items which the player can consume in order to increase his or her score.

Oysters - Oysters occasionally open their mouths and sometimes reveals pearls, which the player or other fish can eat. After a certain time it snaps shut its mouth, eating any creature (except jellyfish or starfish), including the largest fish, the Shark King, in its mouth.

Barracudas - Barracudas appear as large predators in the early game levels and cannot be eaten. Shortly before they appear, a warning sign appears. Barracudas' tails can be bitten by the player for extra points. After having their tail bitten, barracudas typically turn around and chase the player.

Sharks - Sharks appear as enemies which cannot be consumed during earlier levels (like the barracuda, but without a tail which can be bitten). Sharks are relatively slow in the earlier levels, and can be eaten in later levels. Sharks are much larger than barracudas (as seen in J.D.'s and Orville's levels).

Orcas - As barracudas serve as prey in J.D.'s levels, orcas instead serve as dangerous predators. As with barracudas, a warning sign is briefly flashed before they appear. They are larger than sharks and are capable of eating them. Orcas are first revealed in Edie's "Deep Water Dreams" level.

Shark King - The Shark King appears to be a great white shark and is at the top of the food chain. The shark king is much larger than normal sharks and only appears during the last level.

Availability

The free ActiveX version of "Feeding Frenzy" can be played online at websites such as the MSN Gaming Zone, but has only a limited number of levels. The Windows version, "Feeding Frenzy Deluxe", is available for download as a trial, with the full version available for a fee. Additionally, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions exist. The original Xbox version is available via an Xbox Live Arcade disc from Microsoft, or from Official Xbox Magazine discs. The Xbox 360 version can be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace, either as a free demo, or as a full version for a cost of 800 Microsoft Points. This version is also included on the disc that comes with the Xbox Arcade bundle for the Xbox 360, alongside "Pacman Championship Edition", "UNO", "Luxor 2", and "Boom Boom Rocket".

An arcade version was released by UltraCade Technologies (now Global VR) which featured a ticket redemption system.

Reception

A review by IGN criticized the title's simple mechanics and overall lack of depth, resulting in a score of 6.6 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version. The review suggested that additional online elements could have helped with the title's otherwise limited lasting appeal. [cite web | url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/696/696794p1.html | title=IGN: Feeding Frenzy Review | publisher=IGN.com | date=2006-03-17] The TeamXbox review also commented negatively about the game's difficulty and replayability, suggesting that it may be better suited towards children. Nonetheless, despite being somewhat shallow, TeamXbox concluded that the game was still accessible and fun, awarding the Xbox 360 version a 7 out of 10. [cite web | url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1152/Feeding-Frenzy/p1/ | title=Feeding Frenzy Review (Xbox 360) | publisher=TeamXbox.com | date=2006-04-05]

References

External links

* [http://www.popcap.com/ PopCap Games]
* [http://www.popcap.com/games/feedingfrenzy "Feeding Frenzy" Homepage]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/f/feedingfrenzylivearcadexbox360/ "Feeding Frenzy" at Xbox.com]