To many people's surprise, there have been a huge influx of fishing games lately - many of which, unfortunately, fall into the "below average" category. Whether it's due to the reel controller, the game's realism or the overall wealth of options available, Bass Landing is years ahead of most fishing game experiences. Not only is the game incredibly immersive, thanks to the reel controller, but it's also very addicting. Not often did my play sessions last under an hour.
If you're at all familiar with Sega's reel controller for use with Get Bass, you already have a good mental image of Agetec's. The controller is essentially a fishing rod and reel, minus about eighty percent of the rod. Also included is internal force feedback giving the player the true feel of fighting with his catch.
Sega's Get Bass (or Bass Fishing), besides being based on fishing and having a similar controller, has little or nothing in common with Bass Landing. Get Bass is certainly much more themed as an arcade experience, where as Bass Landing is a simulation. If you are looking for something similar to Get Bass DC on the PS, look to Konami's Fisherman's Bait.
Bass Landing falls a little short as far as visuals are concerned. The underwater replays of your catches look great, but unfortunately, most of the game (which takes place with the camera positioned just behind the player) looks a tad below average. The fish are modeled very well, but the fisherman and most of the surroundings are not.
If you're a real angler, you'll be in heaven with the amount of options available. Upon opening up your tackle box, you can choose from an incredible amount of rods, reels and lures. Even the most diehard fisherman won't be disappointed. If, however, you aren't a huge fan of fishing, but wouldn't mind learning the ins and outs, the game has an excellent tutorial mode which can turn anyone into a true angler.
Some of Bass Landing's music tracks can get old really fast, but luckily there is an option
to turn the music off entirely. I hate to have to do this when playing a game, but sometimes it's just necessary. If anything, I wish there was a way to turn off just the in-game "waiting for a fish" music, and not the faster music that's played when you finally get a fish on your line.
Another thing that got on my nerves more than once was the length of the fights you have with the bigger fish. I have no problem with spending a few minutes reeling in one of the bigger catches, but to spend something like eight to ten minutes fighting with one, only to get a "Hook Off" twenty feet from the boat, can get extremely annoying.
Despite these few annoyances, Bass Landing offers real fishermen and newcomers alike the chance to have a realistic fishing experience in the comfort of their own homes. With the Agetec controller in hand, most anyone can have a good time with Bass Landing. Definitely one to check out.
-- Bob McTague
