Beautiful Game
User Rating: 6.6 | Rapala Tournament Fishing! X360
I've had Rapala's Tournament Fishing for about 2 weeks now, and I have to say it's a likable game. First, I want to say that this game is meant to be played at a hard level. The game has more of a simulation feel, than an arcady feel. The graphics are really nice. The enviroments are all nicely done (above and below water), and the water effects are fantastic. Sun glare, ripple, rain, underwater current, and blur effects are all there in the water effects. The fish also look pretty good too, especially when lifting them into the boat, they have a "wet" look. The game modes include Free Fishing, Arcade mode, Time Trial, and Tournament. Tournament mode is where the meat of the gameplay experience is. There are several tournament tours to play through and unlock lures, rods, reels, fishing line, boats, and movie tutorials. Tours consist of 1-4 tournaments, and each tournament can last 1-3 days, each day in the tournament is set to 30 minutes of gameplay ( beware, there's a weight penalty if your late back to the dock). The gameplay consists of trying find a spot on the lake that is ideal for the type of fish you are trying to catch, and to use the correct lure for the specific type of fish you are trying to catch. After picking your lure your ready to cast. The casting is broken into three casting zones (left, right, and middle), and is pretty cut and dry. After casting you work your lure however you like, or if you have unlocked the tutorial vid for that lure you can check it for tips. When a fish takes interest in your lure it will either quickly "run with it", or swim up and stare at it. An issue that hopefully will be resolved if there are plans for a future fishing game. When a fish "notices your lure, all you have to do is just stop moving all together and the fish will always take the bait. Once the fish bites, you have to hook it. This is done by a meter that measures how hard or how well you hook him. It's easy to do and basically just requires you to be a tad patient when hooking a fish. The fish will fight, but the line strenght you use really impacts this. If you have 20 lb test line and hook a 4 lb fish, the fight is going to be over before it gets started. But the sweat starts to pool when your using 20lb test and hook a 60lb fish.
Good- beautiful graphics, and immersive enviroments
Bad- the bite everytime fish A.I., no plastic lures.
