The Total Recall DUD OF THE MONTH COLLECTION!
Worst game of 2003
PRO CAST SPORTS FISHING
(Capcom, 2003)

Congratulation Capcom! Your Pro Cast Fishing game finally won an award because here is my personal pick for Videogames101's Worst Video Game of 2003!

Over the years I've had the fortune (or misfortune depending how you look at it) to play a lot of different video fishing games. I remember playing the technical Black Bass series for the old NES and Super Nintendo systems, plus there was even a cool little versus fishing called Fishing Derby for the old Atari 2600. Now the Xbox gets a new fishing game called Pro Cast Sports Fishing and let's face facts, we usually don't get too many of these types of titles anymore so this game is already unique (to be honest I don't think there are any other sports fishing video games on the Xbox currently). Another unique thing about this new fishing game is that it was created by Capcom, a company best know for their action titles like Street Fighter, Mega Man, and Resident Evil. Can Capcom create the ultimate fishing video game? You would think so.

Pro Cast has three different modes to try out: Arcade, Simulation, and Free Fishing. The Arcade mode is basically just a time trial game, no big deal. The real game play lies in the Simulation game where you enter tournaments, earn cash, and buy new equipment along the way. Sadly, the Simulation game is just as tedious as the Arcade game because you're forced to catch as many fish as possible to get anywhere and that means you have to sit through a lot of boring outings here. Free Fishing is your standard practice mode and believe me you're going to need it. These options are nothing that I haven't seen before.

My list of problems doesn't end there. I was surprised and very disappointed that in this day and age you can't even use any camera angles here. It can be very difficult to see where the fish are hiding whether you're looking from the boat or whether your lure is already in the water. It can be quite frustrating to say the least. If there was any game that needed a good set of camera angles it is a fishing game! Very dumb move Capcom!


If a game has no camera angles then it usually means the game has some killer still graphics then, right? No such luck! Pro Cast started off well with some impressive water rippling effects and some well designed artwork but things quickly went down hill when you look at the Nintendo64 style (i.e. overly foggy and blurry) underwater scenes and the in game characters are just plain dull. This is the Xbox, we deserve better from a system that can produce a game like Halo. If the graphics sound weak then wait 'til we hear the music. The sound is great if you love elevator music but there is nothing playing while you're fishing.

Bottom Line: Sure, I may be no expert when it comes to real life professional fishing and all, but I'm pretty sure not even a person who would do this for a living or hobby would enjoy this very limited game. The game is too difficult for the casual player, the game is too simple for the diehard fishermen, and the game is too boring for everyone else. The Arcade mode is about as fun as watching paint dry and the Simulation game is nothing more than a much longer wait. You know a game is bad when the fishing is better in other titles like Sonic Adventure and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, where the fishing was just a mini event in those respective games. I can understand Capcom trying to branch off into different categories like sports. Like I said earlier, there are not too many fishing games out there at the moment but it's clear that the programmers did not have much experience in how to make a good fishing game. Capcom should stick with action games like Viewtiful Joe and Section Z

Conclusion:

 

PRO CAST Sports Fishing
overall rating: 03/100


For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone

graphics: 2/10
sound: 1/10
gameplay: 3/10
replay: 0/10


-StarSoldier
(Ryan Genno) 2003


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