Publisher: Capcom
Ages:
Parental
Advisory:
None
Far beyond soaking virtual worms, Capcom's Pro Cast Sports Fishing lets players fish from the comfort of their easy chairs. It's an immensely entertaining title that is more game than simulation. And if the Xbox is only going to have a single fishing title, it's good that it has this one.
Players get to choose their fisherman from a line-up of three seasoned professionals and try to win the grandtitle of Master Bass Fisherman. The game provides stock lures at the beginning, however, to attract the attention of the biggest, trophy-winning bass, players have to win tournaments and earn points to buy better, more appealing lures. As players accumulate points they can also make improvements to their boat and purchase that all-important lucky fisherman's hat.
The game offers three modes of play. In arcade mode, players are rated on the total number of bass caught within the time limit of the tournament. In simulation mode, players participate in tournaments to earn points based on the size of bass they catch and use these points to shop, gather info and tips from other fisherman and qualify for bigger tournaments. And the free fishing mode lets players simply work on casting and other techniques
As players progress they may uncover elements that include rare fish and bonus features. Players will be lured into the fable of the Mirage fish, an elusive prize catch that resides within the waters of the Pro Cast Sports Fishing universe. The graphics are detailed and gorgeous and do a superb job of recreating the outdoor environments.
While other fishing games become water-laden by considering factors such as weather, the time and other conditions, Pro Cast Sports Fishing offers a more entertaining approach that lets players simply go for the catch. The controls are easy to learn and use. Interestingly, the game lacks multi-player modes, which would have been a welcome addition.
Completely non-violent, unless you're a fish, Pro Cast Sports Fishing is a great game for families who can watch each other fish and offer advice, and even share that classic fish tale about the one that got away.
11/18/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
