Derrick the Deathfin was originally released on the PlayStation 3 in late 2012 and it has recently been released on Steam. This singleplayer 2D action game sees you playing as Derrick, a shark who has to manoeuvre his way through various obstacles in the depths of the sea. As you make your way through each level, like every other shark, he has to seek prey and devour smaller fishes and even humans in order to maintain your health and survive. With 4 worlds and 8 levels in each world, there is plenty of challenge to be found under the sea.
As is the case with many other low-budget indie games, there is a huge amount of charm to be found in Derrick the Deathfin. There is a particular art style to each world you unlock and every level features vibrant colours and detail in the environment which you often find yourself being distracted by. The constant thought I had throughout the game was that it reminded me a lot of Guacamelee! this was filled with colourful environments which brought a warm feel to the game and evokes similar feelings to that of the Mexican wrestler brawler. Everything in the world is made from paper and, to begin with, you find yourself looking at the wonderful detail which has been put into the design, but as you get used to the gameplay, you soon find yourself frantically stalking your prey.
The main aim of Derrick the Deathfin is to survive each level by eating whatever creature you can find but to unlock further worlds, you are required to collect pink diamonds and race through huge tyres which are often difficult to reach. In terms of how the game plays, you are advised to use a controller and it fits the accessory perfectly. With the game originally being released for PS3, it’s obvious that this game was designed to be used with a controller and the movement required means that a controller is essential. The abilities you are able to perform include sprinting, bite attack and dash attack which deplete your health quicker the more you use them meaning that you are constantly having to look for food.
The movement of Derrick around each of the levels is precise and there are no moments where you feel as though the game has cheaply destroyed your chances of placing your name on the leaderboards. Once you have played the first level, you will know what is expected of you throughout the remainder of Derrick the Deathfin. It’s good in a sense that players who enjoy a simple button configuration but challenging gameplay can be catered for. For those who enjoy an ever-evolving experience may find that they’ve seen and done everything the game has to offer in the first few levels. There are Time Attack events every so often which make you rush through levels, even more so, but they still maintain the same idea as the rest of the game.
The large tyres and pink diamonds which you have to collect are often a sticking point in some of the levels, but they do offer a great challenge if you can bear it and they will have to be obtained if you are to progress. I feel as though it would have made more sense to have the requirements for progression to be related to the time you complete the level in. The diamonds and tyres do become frustrating as the game progresses and you often find yourself doing the bare minimum to progress onto the next level and not worrying about the requirements to unlock the next world until required.
As well as eating to maintain your health, Derrick is also able to eat mines, which act as various power boosts such as speed and ability to devour several fish at a time. There are also chilli’s to eat which provide Derrick with an additional burst of power to reach the dreaded tyres and diamonds. Each of these abilities do add ways to complete each level as you can reuse abilities if you do not reach the outcome that you had hoped for, which is certainly the case as the game reaches its latter stages.
As I had briefly mentioned, leaderboards are also a part of Derrick the Deathfin. While they aren’t apparent throughout each level, you are awarded your placing at the end of each stage and, even though this feels vital in some games, it feels detached here. It is always a nice feature in games as I have often complained about others excluding it, but this feels as though it was added as a last minute decision and there’s no real explanation about how to increase your ranking either, besides doing better at the game.
Having seen a lot of mobile and tablet ports making their way onto Steam recently, I’m glad a game with the polish and refinement of Derrick the Deathfin has originated from the PS3. The art style is something to behold and the precise controls are easy to use. The main problem I have with the game is that it doesn’t explain a lot after the opening level. In addition to not fully understanding what you are meant to do, you aren’t aware of how best to increase your score and this would be frustrating to those who enjoy nothing more than challenging for the top of the leaderboard. While often proving to be difficult with its goals, Derrick the Deathfin is a game which many will enjoy if they haven’t already swam into the papery ocean on the PS3.
Derrick the Deathfin is available now on Steam for £5.59 and PS3 for £5.49