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GO FISH!
Manufacturer: Knowledge Adventure/Sierra (1998)
Price: $14.99
Genre: Warm water fishing simulation for kids.
System Requirements: Win95, Pentium, 16 MB RAM, Mouse, CD-ROM, Sound Card, Direct
X.
DESCRIPTION: Go Fish! is the first fishing sim designed specifically for kids (ages 4 to 8) but even adults will find this a fun and attractive game. Knowledge Adventure and Sierra combined to make an excellent package- this looks overall like Trophy Bass 2 except for a simplified toolbar and the cartoon stuff. Much of the game mechanics from TB2 are here but in a basic format, no more changing strategies for seasonal conditions- just find a spot and drop a line! Go Fish! offers six lakes, each containing a specific dominant species (Bass, Pike, Catfish, Walleye, Trout and Panfish) and a mixture of the rest. These six lakes were taken from TB2 or Northern Lakes so each location is based on actual fishing holes from around the country. Once you choose your lake- off you go to the lake map! Using the mouse, players can move their bass boat around until they settle on a spot to fish (again, just like in TB2). There is a basic fish finder (shaped like a fish) that blinks and beeps when you move over a spot holding fish. Once fish have been located it's time to go fish.
In the fishing screen, players are given a "god cam" view of the fisherman and the surrounding waters. side-arm, over-hand, etc.). Using the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, players can change lures, view livewell contents, cast, use the trolling motor, get tips. Everything you need is a click away. Players are given a choice of nine different lure types: spoons, jigs, spinnerbaits, plastics worms, etc. It's a nice basic selection of fishing stuff. Grizzy, the fishing bear host, is always available to lend advice by clicking on his picture. The fishing graphics look EXACTLY like what you'll find in TB2- but with a toolbar designed for kids.
+ > Using the mouse or joystick, players can cast out into the water using a casting bullseye. Players can then alter the retrieve by mouse click or the joystick buttons- the longer one holds the button down, the more consistent the retrieve. Lures can be made to stop-'n-go, flutter, creep, "bump the stump" and twitched with a little practice.
....When a fish does take your offering, the player must quickly snap the mouse/joystick back in order to set the hook. By adjusting drag, reel speed and the position of the pole players work to land their catch. Be careful that one doesn't snap the line or get snagged in structure! Once the fish is boated players are given the option of putting the catch in the livewell (unless the fish is too small). Only five fish are allowed to be in the livewell so smaller fish can be replaced by larger catches. Other game options include a tournament style feature to allow kids to fish against one another (by taking turns). The player with the most fish *by weight) wins.
...Go Fish! may sound complicated but it's actually very easy to understand. I tested this game with five children ranging in age from 4 to 9, all of them picked it up fairly quickly and LOVED the game! Even myself and my wife enjoyed playing. It's the little kids version of the "big kids" TB2- and just as fun.+
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
THE CONS:
Reviewed by Steven Ellis