Sharks And Minnows

Sharks And Minnows is an exploration-based survival horror game set inside a haunted swimming facility. The main objective is to complete ten laps around the pool in order to escape. Players must constantly balance their stamina while navigating through the eerie environment, as running out of energy mid-lap results in immediate failure. The simple task of swimming laps becomes dangerous when combined with resource management, hidden threats, and unpredictable encounters.

Gameplay System

The core mechanic revolves around swimming while monitoring stamina. Each stroke reduces the stamina bar, forcing players to search for supplies hidden throughout the facility to recover energy. Movement choices matter, since reckless swimming drains stamina quickly, while slower pacing leaves players vulnerable to dangers that lurk in the environment. The challenge grows with each lap, as players are forced to venture further into unsafe areas of the building to survive.

Main Features Of The Game

·         Swimming laps as the central escape mechanic

·         Stamina management tied directly to survival

·         Exploration of haunted areas for hidden supplies

·         Environmental hazards that create unique obstacles

·         A final escape condition after completing ten laps

Exploration And Hazards

As laps progress, players must leave the pool area to search for food, water, or other supplies that restore stamina. These resources are often located in dark corridors and abandoned rooms within the facility, requiring exploration beyond the main swimming area. Hazards increase the tension, ranging from collapsing structures to hostile presences that stalk the player. Failure to react properly can lead to being trapped or losing the chance to complete the lap. Each new discovery comes with the risk of encountering dangers that may be worse than exhaustion.

Atmosphere And Design

The design of Sharks And Minnows focuses on creating unease through lighting, sound, and confined spaces. The pool itself is brightly lit, but the surrounding hallways are filled with shadows, broken equipment, and unsettling noises. Echoes of footsteps, water dripping, or sudden environmental shifts make players doubt their safety. The balance between the calm setting of the pool and the darkness of the facility adds variety to exploration, keeping tension high throughout the experience.

Replayability is supported by the unpredictability of resource placement and hazard encounters. Supplies may be hidden in different areas during each session, forcing players to adapt rather than rely on memorization. The randomness of threats also ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. This system encourages experimentation with different survival strategies and keeps players returning to attempt a complete run of all ten laps.