Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures

Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures (also known as SeaWorld: Shamu's Deep Sea Adventures, or SeaWorld: Shamu's Big Adventure) is an action-adventure video game published by Activision for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance. It is linked to SeaWorld's popular Shamu ocra whale shows.

The GameCube, PS2, and Xbox versions were developed by Fun Labs, while the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions were developed by Humagade.

Plot
Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, wants to destroy the SeaWorld theme park and replace it with Atlantis. Shamu then sets off on an adventure to defeat Poseidon and the Kraken.

Why It Sucks

 * 1) While making a video game based on SeaWorld isn't a terrible idea on paper, as it could have the potential to be decent if done properly, this game failed at that, leading to the execution being very poor, much like a lot of other licensed kids games.
 * 2) Mediocre-looking graphics and visuals that are almost comparable to that of a Nintendo 64/Sega Dreamcast game, rather than a late sixth-generation game, and there are a lot of noticeable textures that look very low quality. Other games such as Super Mario Sunshine look much better in comparison, and that game was released in 2002.
 * 3) Poor and shoddy controls that are even worse than controls in the underwater stages of Crash Bandicoot, as they don't really fit with the level design of some levels and are limited in some areas.
 * 4) Due to the poor controls, it is possible to take numerous amounts of damage from enemies. While you can use Tail Fluke Smash in order to defeat them, the aforementioned ability can be unresponsive at times.
 * 5) Shamu's Training, (the tutorial of the game) lasts for about 10 minutes, and is very slow-paced, which is far too long just for the game to explain the basic instructions/elements of the game.
 * 6) Despite the game being aimed at young children, it can be too difficult at times for its target audience, such as the level where you must avoid the Kraken, which is the second level of the game, right after Shamu's Training.
 * 7) Much like Curious George, the minigames are simple, repetitive, and are just redundant altogether, and are only added for the sake of artificial padding.
 * 8) Just like many other shovelware licensed kids games, the game is very short, as it can be beaten in less than 2 hours, with only 20 levels to play through and 8 environments.
 * 9) There is a continuity error in one of the levels.
 * 10) * In Kraken's Trail, the goal of the level is to lose Kraken, but once you complete it, the game says "Objective Complete: Following the Kraken".
 * 11) The narrator of the game can be quite annoying at times, as he comments on every time you collect an item, such as a postcard or a key.
 * 12) Adding on to WIS #4, the final boss against Poseidon can be quite difficult to beat due to the aforementioned bad controls, and it can often be hard to see where the energy balls in order to use Tail Fluke Smash to damage him.
 * 13) For some reason, there are 10 save slots, for a game that can be beaten in less than 2 hours, which is obviously just redundant.
 * 14) There just isn't a lot going on in the game compared to the actual amusement park, and overall, the game feels like a shallow cash grab that was only made in order to promote the SeaWorld/Shamu brand.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) The soundtrack is decent and goes well with the game's underwater setting and tone, but sadly, it is probably one of the only acceptable things about the game.
 * 2) The concept of making a video game based on SeaWorld isn't a bad idea on paper, despite the poor execution.
 * 3) You can watch clips from the SeaWorld amusement park in-game, which is a nice touch.

Reception
The game has received mixed-to-negative reviews on Metacritic. The game was mainly criticized for it being too shallow and underdeveloped, such as there not being a lot going on in it compared to to the real-life amusement park, and that it is too difficult for its target audience, which is mainly young children.

Videos
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