Call of the Wild: The Angler - Two Minute Review!
Free from Epic Games between March 21st and March 28th 2024
Added to Game Pass Aug 2023
Title: Call of the Wild: The Angler
Summary: From the creators of theHunter: Call of the Wild comes a genre-defying fishing experience! Explore a vast and atmospheric open world in search of the perfect fishing spot. Ride the open waters alone or with friends and embark on your journey to become a master angler.
Release Date: AUG 31, 2022
Rating: Rated E for Everyone
Developer: Expansive Worlds
Publisher: Expansive Worlds
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, Xbox One
Genres: Fishing
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"Call-of-the-Wild: The-Angler" is a fishing game that allows you to explore an expansive open world park with diverse habitats teeming with varied river and lake fish. The gameplay is quick and simple to get into, giving a good balance between arcade and simulator, but still requiring enough patience and persistence to be rewarding when you finally land a decent fish.
The challenge lies in understanding the unique behavior of each fish species, and choosing the right equipment, making each fishing expedition engaging, with any fishing knowledge paying dividends. You can fish at your own pace, but the game also provides challenges to keep you focused while earning money to purchase new gear. There are different techniques, baits, and rigs to master that have a genuine impact on how well you perform, giving a real feeling of progression. The game also offers a co-op multiplayer mode for up to 12 players, where you can meet other anglers and share your experiences.
There are however a few noteworthy shortcomings. The map feels overly large at times, with miles of lifeless land and repetitive foliage to traverse between fast travel points. Walking is slow, and the handling of cars and boats is best described as janky. This is exacerbated by challenges needing to be completed in specific bodies of water, and little interactivity with the map beyond fishing. Fish behaviour can also become quite predictable, as they are simply guided by probabilities in a spreadsheet, but this is a common limitation in fishing games.
Overall, "The-Angler" offers an immersive fishing experience with a level of realism and fine-tuning that will satisfy the most demanding fishing enthusiasts, despite having a few areas in need of polish. When played solo, the game might lose its appeal during extended sessions, but it's perfect for short, occasional sessions, or something that can be played casually while multitasking. That said, I don't think this game is going to appeal to, or convert anyone that isn't already a fishing fan.
I give this game 69%