Beyond the ‘Reel’- Shimano Xtreme Fishing Review

Much like the recreation on which is based on, one of the fundamental difficulties of fishing games is maintaining freshness. Although the tension of reeling in an enormous catch can be thrilling, repeating the same task dozens of times can be a repugnant as week-old catfish. Developer eV Interactive is hoping to solve the conundrum with Shimano Xtreme Fishing, title that incorporates the obligatory rod and reel process, as well as offering bow and spear gun methods.

From the game’s title screen players may participate in Career, Free-Fishing or Multiplayer elements. Despite which trajectory is chosen, the gameplay is remarkable similar, with Free-Fishing eliminating any time constraints and the title’s competitive modes allowing for simultaneous play. Shimano’s mechanics shirk simulation, leaning heavily toward arcade diversion. This sentiment is unabashedly conveyed though the request for players to “choose their weapon”, as hard-rock music blares. Clearly, the word “Xtreme” has come to mean the recycling of decade-old Mortal Kombat clichés.

As the most pedestrian of the title’s pursuits, rod fishing is the least interesting. Players steer their boats to designated areas, and cast-off with a swing of the Wiimote. Since the game’s waterways are teeming with the gilled guys, getting a nibble is both painless and frequent. When a bite happens, gamers are requested to lift the controller to hook the fish, imitating the game’s mode’s main tension. Players use either the “B” button or a sideways spin of the nunchuck to reel in their prospective catch, maintaining a careful balance between not breaking their line and letting the aquatic creature of the hook. Sporadically, players are requested to swing their Wiimote up, left or right- responding without haste or vigor will result in the fish escaping. Once a few fish are landed, the artificiality of the conflict is illuminated. The clash isn’t about bringing the fish onto the boat, but rather reducing the animal’s energy gauge. No matter how close or far from your craft the catch is, the encounter will always be the same- right down to the number of the controller swings required to tire the fish.

Both bow and spear fishing eliminate the requirement to methodically reel in your catch, evoking the feel of an aquatic shooting gallery. While bow fishing takes place above the surface, and spearing is done underwater, both are moderately similar. Players use the Wiimote’s pointer function to aim, while the “B” button launches the projectile. Although smaller fish are landed with a single, accurate shot, larger prey require multiple attacks. The challenge presented by bow fishing is identifying the fish, as they blend in with game’s murky locales. Spearing places the gamer in SCUBA gear, where players are free to roam the environment, toggling between a third and first-person perspective. Strangely, bring in a 300 pound hammerhead shark is no more difficult than a barracuda.

Although the majority of Shimano’s locations are reasonably detailed, and each of the game’s 50+ types of fish are competently rendered, the game’s sense of depth in when using the rod or bow is underwhelming. By consistently showing the floor, each waterway appears to be only a few feat feet. At least small touches like treasure chests, sunken aircraft or the occasional dragonfly skimming the water’s surface evoke the occasional sense of charm.