Loan Shark
" Haunting indie adventure with deep-sea suspense and moral storytelling but very short length "
Loan Shark Review
Loan Shark is a short, atmospheric indie horror game centered around fishing, debt, and moral choices. Players assume the role of a fisherman indebted to the mob, navigating an eerie underwater world with a unique but simple fishing mechanic. The game explores themes of economic struggle and submission through a metaphorical narrative, enhanced by a haunting setting near the Italian coast. While the story is impactful and thought-provoking, the gameplay is limited and repetitive, with only one main ending and minimal replayability. The graphics are intentionally lo-fi and stylized, contributing to the unsettling ambiance. Despite some bugs and technical issues reported by players, the game delivers a compelling experience for those interested in narrative-driven horror. However, many players felt the content was too sparse for the price, wishing for more endings, gameplay depth, and a freeplay mode. Loan Shark is best suited for players seeking a brief, meaningful horror experience rather than extended gameplay.
Highlights
Players praised Loan Shark for its unique and haunting atmosphere, effectively creating deep-sea suspense and thalassophobia-driven horror. The storyline and moral themes about debt and submission resonated strongly, offering a clever metaphorical narrative. The simple yet satisfying fishing mechanics and excellent sound design were also highlighted. Despite its short length, many found the game to be a worthwhile, immersive experience with a fair price point. The presence of a quirky fish companion and the game's setting off the Italian coast added charm and depth to the story.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's short duration and limited content, with many players finishing it in under an hour. The lack of multiple endings and replayability disappointed those expecting more branching narratives. Some found the fishing mechanics frustrating or too simplistic, and others reported bugs such as driver issues and awkward animations. The graphics, while stylistic, were described as ugly or unpolished by some. Additionally, the sound effects volume was sometimes unbalanced. Several players felt the moral message was muddy or overly blunt, and wished for more depth and complexity in gameplay and story development.
Pros
- • Unique and haunting atmosphere creates effective deep-sea suspense and fear.
- • Compelling moral story about debt, submission, and economic struggle.
- • Simple yet satisfying fishing mechanics complement the narrative well.
- • Excellent sound design enhances immersion and horror elements.
- • Quirky fish companion adds charm and personality to the experience.
- • Fair price for a brief but meaningful horror experience.
- • Good thematic setting off the Italian coast with cultural context.
Cons
- • Very short game with limited content and only one main ending.
- • Lack of replayability and alternative story paths disappoint many players.
- • Fishing mechanics can be frustrating or overly simplistic at times.
- • Reported bugs include driver issues and awkward or missing animations.
- • Graphics are stylized but considered ugly or unpolished by some.
- • Sound effects volume is sometimes unbalanced and jarring.
- • Moral message can be blunt or unclear to certain players.
Rating Criteria
The loan shark is coming for you. Catch enough fish to repay your debt before it is too late. Go fish.