Platform: PS2
Label: Agetec
Hardware: PS2 Fishing Rod
Availability: Out Now

When I first placed the disk into the PS2, I was surprised by how professional it all looked and thought that this may just be the angling game I’d been waiting for. My joy, however, was short lived as the intro finished and the first menu loaded up. It started to look more like a second rate PSone golf game.

Just as I started to get over my initial dismay the music kicked in, I’m not sure whether to describe it as irritating or just plain bizarre. It seemed to be trying to play quite a standard little ditty, but there was also a contrasting tune lurking somewhere behind it leaving the listener presented with a mishmash without melody.

The options and menus are basic, but perfectly functional and this must be considered a credit to the designers. If like me, you are using the Fishing Rod Controller you don’t want to be messing with complicated set up button combinations, as the controller works best one handed (except to reel in).

The graphics are about average and as with many of this style of game the above water action seems to have been added as an after thought to link up the fishy undersea escapades. The problem here is that once you get underwater, although the fish move smoothly and are well animated, it feels like you’re looking into a dirty aquarium.

The main choice you are given in game is which bait to select, and here the makers have put in a bit of effort. There is a vast selection to choose from and each one comes in two styles. They also act and feel (with the help of the vibration function) very different.

To cast (and for the controller to realise that you have) you seem to be required to snap your wrist back so violently that you’ll either end up braining yourself with the rod or giving yourself a nasty sprain. Fortunately there are several other ways to cast but this loses the point of having the rod in the first place.

When you have finally managed to cast out, you need to prepare for some sitting around as, for the most part, the fish are not in the least bit interested and regularly swim past with a smug, almost mocking look on their little aquatic faces. But when you do finally get a bite, the game suddenly springs to life. Everything goes frantic, the rod twitches wildly, the screen becomes a blur of action, battle commences and for a few short moments the game becomes something that slightly resembles fun.

This is not the sort of title you turn to for a quick blast of fun, if you load this up you’re committing yourself to the long haul. In essence this game infuriated and bored me, but never actually managed to entertain me.

Reviewer

Peter Austwick
dunan_5@hotmail.com