Sewer Shark
What is Sewer Shark?
Sewer Shark is a 1992 interactive movie rail shooter for the Sega CD, developed by Digital Pictures and published by Sony Imagesoft. It was one of the first home console games to rely entirely on full-motion video for its gameplay, using live-action footage to create a cinematic feel. The game was later ported to the 3DO in 1994, but the Sega CD version remains the original and most remembered release.
In Sewer Shark, you pilot a vehicle through a series of underground sewer tunnels, shooting at enemy creatures and obstacles that appear on screen. The game is entirely on rails, meaning you only control the aiming reticule and when to fire, while the video footage dictates the path. Your ship has a crosshair that moves with the controller, and you must shoot down targets while avoiding friendly units that sometimes appear. The core loop involves navigating through levels by hitting specific doors or vents, with the video reacting to your success or failure.
Today, Sewer Shark is a fascinating piece of early multimedia gaming, showing how developers tried to merge film and interactive play. Its cheesy live-action acting and straightforward shooting made it a cult favorite among Sega CD owners. Compared to later FMV games, it holds up as a simple but fun time capsule, though its limited interactivity and dated video will feel clunky to modern players. It is worth a look if you are curious about the early 90s push for cinematic gaming.
How to Play Sewer Shark Online
To play Sewer Shark, you take control of a gunner's seat in a vehicle called a "Sewer Shark" and navigate through underground tunnels. The game starts with a brief cutscene setting up your mission, then drops you straight into action. Your main task is to aim the crosshair at enemies and obstacles that appear in the video feed, pressing the attack button (S on keyboard) to shoot them. Friendly targets occasionally show up, so do not fire at them or you will lose points.
As you progress, you will encounter branching paths marked by doors or vents. Shoot the correct one to continue, or your vehicle takes damage. The game tracks your performance with a score and a health bar. If you take too many hits, it is game over. There is no saving, so you will need to finish in one sitting. The FMV sequences play out in real time, so act quickly as the video does not pause for you.
New players should focus on learning enemy patterns and avoiding friendly fire. The crosshair moves with the arrow keys, but it can be slow. Be patient and lead your shots a bit. The game does not have a tutorial, so trial and error is part of the experience. Enjoy the campy acting and try to survive all the way through the sewer system.
Sewer Shark Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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