Feeding Frenzy – First Look

Of course there are a bunch of in-depth games out for the Xbox 360 that are all about the “next generation” of gaming, but sometimes it can be just as fun to try out some random game from the Xbox Live Arcade. After seeing the trial and full unlock for Feeding Frenzy show up on the Marketplace, I was a little skeptical at first to give it a try. This game uses the age old concept of slowly working your way up the food chain until you become the top fish in the sea, but surprisingly enough it has a few little twists that make it a worthwhile experience. Although 800 microsoft points (roughly $10 USD) seems like a bit much for a remake of a classic idea, Feeding Frenzy is a simple yet addictive game that’s worth trying out. Be sure to check out the ‘full article’ for a deeper look on this XBLA title. Of course there are a bunch of in-depth games out for the Xbox 360 that are all about the “next generation” of gaming, but sometimes it can be just as fun to try out some random game from the Xbox Live Arcade. After seeing the trial and full unlock for Feeding Frenzy show up on the Marketplace, I was a little skeptical at first to give it a try. This game uses the age old concept of slowly working your way up the food chain until you become the top fish in the sea, but surprisingly enough it has a few little twists that make it a worthwhile experience. Although 800 Microsoft points (roughly $10 USD) seems like a bit much for a remake of a classic idea, Feeding Frenzy is a simple yet addictive game that’s worth trying out.

The control setup is very intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play without having to bore yourself by reading through any instructions. Either analog stick can be used to pilot your fish, while pressing ‘A’ will have the character boost quickly in his current direction. As the game progresses, new fish with special abilities can be unlocked too. Once you charge up the ability meter, pressing ‘Y’ will unleash a special attack that will help you gobble up the ocean floor in no time.

The concept behind Feeding Frenzy is pretty self-explanatory, but luckily the game has a few improvements to make it stand out from the crowd. An indicator in the upper left corner shows your position on the food chain and how much you have grown. Pictures of the fish above and below you are displayed, so there shouldn’t be any confusion as to whether or not a fish is too big to eat. If a larger fish eats you, all of your progress in your current growth stage will be lost. In this way, you can never ‘devolve’, you can only be set back from moving on up. The full version of the game includes a bunch of different starting characters as well, so it’ll be a while before you get bored of going through the same evolution processes.

There are a few cool features that truly make this game stand out. For instance, clams are sometimes located at the bottom of the ocean floor, and if you’re quick you can snatch their pearl. However, if you wait too long they can close in on and you and take your life away. In addition, mermaids will sometimes swim across the screen and drop starfish that can’t fight back, allowing you to pick up some easy points. In one level a barracuda would swim across the bottom of the screen, and if you could manage to bit him in the tail you would get a point bonus. Other point bonuses can be earned by eating an entire school of fish or by acquiring a feeding frenzy.

A feeding frenzy can be earned by devouring a lot of fish quickly, and you can even earn a double frenzy if you go on an all out eating rampage. Frenzies can double or triple your score intake, effectively allowing you to earn extra lives and evolve with ease. Slowing down your food take will make your frenzy go away, so you need to feed your fish with a constant supply of prey to keep them satisfied.

Overall, this addicting title can provide a great deal of fun in both the story and time attack modes, but the 800 point price is a little steep considering similar games on the web can be played for free. However, the oceanic atmosphere is pleasant, and there is plenty of variety between the varied characters and diversified environments, so that could make it purchase-worthy for some. If you still think it’s too much to pay, though, you should still grab the demo because it’s an entertaining title to pick up and play without having to think whatsoever.

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