LOAN SHARK
- Scott Millard
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 7
You play as an indebted angler, trapped in a vicious cycle of debt. One dark night at sea, your nets bring up something unnatural: a talking fish. This creature, known as Cagliuso, offers you a chance at wealth — but its bargains come at a cost.
What begins as a straightforward fishing task devolves into a twisted tale of sacrifice, desperation, and the unknown lurking in the depths. As your deadline approaches (the “loan shark is coming”), you must decide how much you are willing to lose, and just how far you’ll go to avoid ruin.
“Buying [the boat] put you deep in debt to a loan shark and now you’re forced to work nonstop to cover a debt you cannot possibly repay in time. The creditors are demanding that you bring them the money that very night.”
You meet Cagliuso, a one-eyed talking fish with a magic eye that attracts golden fish — but his help is not free.
The narrative leans heavily on deal with the devil tropes: bargains that seem benign at first but carry hidden strings.
Key Features & Mechanics
Short, intense experience: Playthrough is designed to be compact but memorable.
Underwater eye-cam mechanic: Watch the lure being bitten in underwater view, then pull quickly—while keeping an eye out for unseen watchers.
Fish & gut mechanic: After catching fish, you must gut them carefully; mistakes (cutting yourself) are possible.
Surreal dialogues & choices: The talking fish will propose bargains. Each choice can have consequences on your fate.
Time pressure / looming threat: The “loan shark” isn’t just metaphorical — your time is ticking, and something horrifying may be stalking you in the waters.
Atmospheric horror: Expect shifting tones, dread, and a sense that the deep hides more than fish.
Studio Ortica is an indie team and according to a developer / designer (Nicola Dau), the game was built in about three months as both a horror-game exercise and a storytelling experiment.
Reception:
Overall: Very Positive (~83% positive)
Recent: Mostly Positive (~79%)
Coming to Consoles very soon!
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