Hungry Shark World

Hungry Shark World is the definitive arcade shark simulator, developed by Ubisoft and Future Games of London. As the sequel to the smash-hit Hungry Shark Evolution, it takes the “eat everything” formula to massive new heights with console-quality graphics, four distinct open worlds, and a roster of over 40 playable sharks.

The premise is deceptively simple: you are a shark with an insatiable appetite. Your health constantly decays, and the only way to stay alive is to keep eating. From tiny tropical fish to unsuspecting tourists, military submarines, and even mythical sea monsters, nothing is off the menu.

This guide provides a deep dive into every mechanic, map, shark tier, and secret strategy you need to dominate the ocean and unlock the ultimate Apex predators.

1. Core Gameplay Mechanics

Understanding the fundamental systems of Hungry Shark World is the difference between a 2-minute run and a 30-minute high-score rampage.

Health Decay & Starvation

Your shark’s life bar is actually a hunger meter. It drains constantly over time, and the rate of decay increases the longer you survive.

• The Decay Curve: In the first few minutes, health drains slowly. After 10-15 minutes, the drain becomes aggressive, requiring you to constantly consume high-value prey just to maintain stability.
• Damage: Taking damage from mines, jellyfish, or armed hunters doesn’t just lower your health; it briefly pauses your ability to eat, which can be fatal during high-decay periods.

The Multiplier System

Every time you eat prey in quick succession, your score multiplier increases (2x, 4x, 6x, 8x).

• Why it matters: Higher multipliers generate Gold Rush faster.
• Strategy: Don’t just eat sporadically. Dash from school to school of fish to keep the “Eat” combo active. If you stop eating for a few seconds, the multiplier resets.

Gold Rush & Mega Gold Rush

The Gold Rush bar at the bottom of the screen fills as you earn points.

• Gold Rush: When activated, your shark becomes invincible, has infinite boost, and all edible prey turns into gold (awarding coins). Importantly, you also gain infinite health for the duration.
• Mega Gold Rush (MGR): After triggering a specific number of Gold Rushes (usually 5-7) in a single run, you trigger MGR. The screen turns dark gold, and everything becomes edible—even mines, red jellyfish, and sharks larger than you. This is your primary window for massive scoring.

2. The Shark Roster: From XS to Apex

Sharks are categorized by size. You must max out the level of a shark in your current tier to unlock the next size tier for coin purchase.

The Early Game (XS – M)

These tiers are for learning the ropes.

• XS (Blacktip Reef): Fast but fragile. Stick to the surface and eat tropical fish.
• S (Porbeagle, Blue Shark): Can break small barriers. The Porbeagle is balanced, while the Blue Shark is the speedster of this tier.
• M (Thresher, Sand Shark): The Thresher Shark uses its long tail to stun prey, making it excellent for escaping early predators.

The Mid-Game (L – XL)

Here, the game opens up. You can destroy bone barriers and venture deeper.

• Bull Shark (L): Famous for its high “Bite” stat, allowing it to crunch through prey faster.
• Goblin Shark (XL): Has a terrifying extended jaw that increases its eat range.
• Mako (L): The fastest shark in the L tier, perfect for speed-running daily chests.

The Heavy Hitters (XXL)

These sharks can eat almost anything and are required to unlock the final tiers.

• Great White Shark: The icon. High health and bite, but average speed. It has no gimmicks, just raw power.
• Megalodon: A prehistoric beast with excellent stats across the board.
• Big Momma (Dunkleosteus): Heavily armored. She has massive health but is slower. Her “tongue” ability drags prey into her mouth.

!! (Special Tier)

These sharks introduce “superpowers” and are often unlocked via special events or high coin costs.

• Dark Magic Shark: Can fire a dark laser beam that annihilates everything in a straight line (including mines). One of the best farming sharks in the game.
• Robo Shark: Can fly through the air using jet thrusters and shoot mines at enemies.
• Gaia: A nature spirit shark that controls vines to trap prey. She revives once for free per run.

Apex Tier (The End Game)

Apex sharks are the most powerful entities in the game. They require Pearls to unlock (obtained in Extinction Mode).

• Mecha Sharkjira: A kaiju robot. Its ability charges an atomic beam that wipes the screen. It can also walk on land.
• Shin Sharkjira: A mutated, organic version of the Mecha. It fires crystal projectiles and has a “burning” breath attack.
• Cosmic Alan: An alien shark capable of summoning a Black Hole Sun that sucks in everything on screen. He is widely considered the best shark for survival.
• Abyssal Shark: Uses void mouths to trap prey and can mind-control enemies.
• Mighty Matriarch: An ancient shark that can trigger a specialized “Pearl Rush,” making her excellent for farming currency.

3. Currency Guide: Gold, Gems, and Pearls

Economy management is crucial. Here is how to farm each currency efficiently.

Gold (Coins)

Used for: Upgrading shark stats, buying basic sharks and accessories.

• Best Farm: Equip the Pirate Set or Caveman Set (bonus to Gold Rush). Play in the Arabian Sea. The high density of prey and narrow tunnels allow for constant Gold Rushes.
• Strategy: Ignore score. Focus on triggering Gold Rush as fast as possible. During Gold Rush, boost through dense schools of fish.

Gems (Premium Currency)

Used for: Revives, unlocking Maps, buying premium accessories/pets.

• Sources:
  1. Gemfish: Green, glowing fish that spawn randomly. You must be fast to catch them.
  2. Daily Chests: 5 chests spawn on each map daily. They often contain 5-10 gems.
  3. Ad Watching: You can watch ads in the menu for free gems.
  4. Arabian Sea/South China Sea: These maps have higher spawn rates for Gemfish and Gem Birds.
• Spending Rule: Never spend gems on coins. Save them for the Map unlocks first, then high-tier Pets (like Max or Kraken).

Pearls

Used for: Buying Apex Sharks.

• Source: Exclusively found in Extinction Mode.
• Farming: You get Pearls based on how long you survive in Extinction Mode. Completing a full run usually nets 80-100 Pearls. You can pay Gems at the end of a run to double your Pearl reward (highly recommended).

4. Map Guide & Secrets

Pacific Islands

• Overview: A bright, colorful map perfect for beginners.
• Key Areas:
  • The Galleon: A sunken pirate ship on the left side. Contains lots of gold and usually a Daily Chest.
  • The Volcano: Located on the far right. Erupts periodically, spewing lava rocks. Good for finding Gemfish during calm periods.
  • Space: With a Jetpack, fly high above the island to find the Titanic in the sky (Easter Egg).

Arctic Ocean

• Overview: A hostile, frozen environment.
• Key Areas:
  • Military Base: Located on the surface, far right. Heavily guarded by mines, divers, and helicopters. High risk, high reward.
  • The Iceberg: A massive chunk of ice in the center. You can swim inside it through cracks to find frozen prey.
  • The Titanic Wreck: Deep in the middle trench. Often houses the “G” or “R” letters.

Arabian Sea

• Overview: The richest map for Gold.
• Key Areas:
  • The Palace: A beautifully detailed interior section on the right. Full of edible royalty and treasure.
  • Oil Rigs: On the surface. Destroying these requires a large shark but yields massive points.
  • Magic Carpet: Look for a magic carpet flying in the sky; eating the rider gives a gem.

South China Sea

• Overview: A sprawling urban map with verticality.
• Key Areas:
  • The Sewers: Accessed via a grate in the harbor. It’s a maze of toxic waste and mutant fish.
  • Secret Bathroom: Inside the sewers, you can smash through a ceiling grate to enter a hidden bathroom where a man is sitting on a toilet. Eating him is a humorous secret.
  • Skyscrapers: With a jetpack or Mecha Sharkjira, you can jump between rooftops in the city background.

5. Extinction Mode Mastery

Extinction Mode is the ultimate challenge. You must survive for a set time (usually 10 minutes) while the game throws random “Mutations” at you every 30 seconds.

Common Mutations:

• Random Boost: Your boost fires uncontrollably.
• Eat Anything: You can eat mines/jellyfish, but your health drains 2x faster.
• Tiny Shark: You become XS size (very dangerous).
• Pearl Rush: A rare, beneficial mutation where pearls spawn all over the map.

Survival Strategy:

1. Shark Choice: Cosmic Alan or Meltdown Shark are best. Alan can heal himself with his black hole, and Meltdown is fast enough to evade trouble.
2. Pet Choice: Bring Florence Sharkingale (heals you) and Trevor (destroys mines).
3. Don’t Panic: When “Random Boost” hits, try to jam yourself into a corner or swim in open water to avoid careening into mines.

6. Boss Battles: The Colossal Squid

The Colossal Squid is a legendary boss that appears in specific contests or boss maps.

• Phase 1: The Eye: The squid will watch you from the background. Boost into its eye when it opens to stun it.
• Phase 2: The Tentacles: The squid will attack with its tentacles. They have 3 segments each. You must bite through the segments while dodging its slap attacks.
• Phase 3: Ink & Beak: The squid will spray ink (blinding you) and try to pull you into its beak. Keep boosting away and wait for the eye to open again.
• Defeat: Once all legs are destroyed and the eye is hit one last time, the squid explodes, granting massive points and gems.

7. Customization: The Best Gear

Stats matter more than looks. Always aim to complete a “Set” for the bonus.

Top Tier Sets:

• Royal Set: +25% Health. Essential for surviving Extinction Mode.
• Pirate Set: +Gold Rush Duration. The best set for farming coins.
• Warrior Set: +Score. Use this for high-score competitions.

Top Tier Pets:

1. Max (Megalodon Baby): +Health. The single most useful stat.
2. Trevor (Turtle): Swims ahead and detonates mines. A lifesaver in the Arabian Sea.
3. Chip (Robot): Fires plasma beams that stun prey.
4. Super Steve (Eagle): Significant boost refill speed.

Must-Have Gadgets:

• Force Field: Absorbs damage from one hit (recharges). Critical for avoiding one-shot deaths from Ultra Mines.
• Recycler Cannon: Sucks up junk and oil spills, converting them into points.
• Jetpack: Essential for the late game. Allows you to eat helicopters and military drones.

8. Advanced Pro Tips

• The “One Last Bite” Trick: When your health hits zero, you have a split second before the “Game Over” screen. If you manage to eat something in that millisecond, you will revive with a tiny bit of health.
• Map Rotations: The Daily Chests are not random; they spawn in fixed locations that rotate every 24 hours. Learn the 5 spots for the Pacific Map to grab 10-15 gems in under 3 minutes daily.
• Eating Submarines: Never attack a submarine from the front (it will shoot torpedoes). Boost into the cockpit (top/front) or the propeller (back) to destroy it instantly.
• HUNGRY Letters: Prioritize collecting the letters H-U-N-G-R-Y. The resulting “Super Size Mode” makes you 3x bigger and able to eat everything (even if you are a small shark). This is a great “Get out of Jail Free” card if you are stuck in a dangerous area.