Sharks and Minnows

Sharks and Minnows takes place inside a decaying aquatic facility, where the player’s main task is to complete a set number of laps around the pool. The building is largely abandoned and dimly lit, with navigation relying on sound, memory, and short bursts of visibility. As players move forward, stamina becomes a central concern—each completed lap uses more energy, and if it runs out, the run ends. Finding a way to continue demands careful movement and searching through side areas of the facility.

Supplies and Progression Strategy

To maintain enough stamina and survive long enough to finish all ten laps, players must scavenge for items hidden throughout the complex. These include consumables that restore energy and objects that assist with visibility. Some supplies are harder to reach, placed in risky or unpredictable areas. Managing these resources becomes a game of tradeoffs—how far to explore, when to return to the pool, and what to risk along the way.

Items That Influence Survival

Key items include:

• Energy drinks that restore stamina
• Protein bars that improve endurance
• Flashlights to increase field of view
• Glow sticks to mark explored zones
• Keys or access cards for new routes

These tools are scattered randomly and often placed in unfamiliar or changing locations, requiring players to adapt.

Tension and Environment Shifts

As laps are completed, the layout of the environment begins to change. New hallways appear, familiar paths shift, and unsettling sounds echo more frequently. The game introduces these elements gradually, building a sense of unease as the player is forced to rely less on memory and more on instinct. While early laps feel manageable, later stages create pressure by limiting both time and safe routes. Players are pushed to make quicker decisions as their resources run low.

Structure and Replay Options

Though the goal remains the same, each attempt at completion offers different challenges due to randomized item placements and environmental changes. This encourages multiple runs, as no two sessions follow the same path. Some players focus on mastering specific sections, while others experiment with different routes and strategies. The game’s design relies on simplicity in mechanics but delivers pressure through atmosphere, pacing, and resource scarcity—making each session distinct and unpredictable.