Fishing Legend

If you have never been fishing in real life but have fancied giving it a go – but without the mess, complication or expense that usually comes entailed with one of the worlds’ favourite passed times – then prepare yourself for Fishing Legend!

In this game you assume the main character, Kevin, who’s a young boy living with his mother. You learn that Kevin’s father had gone fishing several years ago but never returned and so his journey begins to find out what happened… oh, and lots of fishing!

Armed with the most basic of equipment (rod, reel, fishing line and float) you explore the surrounding village to speak with characters to start putting the pieces together and to be offered challenges. Naturally this is a mere diversion from what you really want to do – go fishing! But first you need to get your bait, or else the fish won’t bite! Fortunately the game developers have made even getting bait a fun challenge with a mini-game which tests your reflexes and timing to catch the little critters.

Now you have made your own combination of bait, line and rod, you are set for the open waves. Bobbing about in your dinghy you will see ripples caused in the water by the bigger fish which you need to aim for with your line by ‘casting off’. To do this, you need to gauge the angle and distance from you to the centre of the ripples – which is a bit of trial and error at first, but with practice, you will become quite a pro at. Casting off your lure is a mini-game of two parts, first dictates the direction you cast your line in, and the second part is the power/distance you cast your lure away from the boat. If this wasn’t tricky enough, there is the effect of the wind each time you cast.

When you’ve got a bite, you must carefully press a combination of buttons in the right directional sequence to reel it in. But you have to be careful not to snap your line and let them get away by being too eager in pressing those keys!

It is important to get the knack of casting your line correctly as every time you put your bait in the water your HP (health points) decrease – meaning you have to go back to port and rest before you can continue fishing. Although this is not such a concern at earlier levels, later on when you hire bigger boats to go to different waters this has a huge impact on your funds if you have to keep returning to port and re-hiring the boat again.

When you have filled your net or drained your HP, you must return to port. This is useful to stock up on your supplies as well as trade fish and items caught out at sea or simply make your aquarium look beautiful. *Top Tip* By being savvy you can earn more money and purchase upgrades to your equipment.

This routine continues to develop with the additional challenges set by those at the village, including Kevin’s mum! These challenges are tricky as some fish can only be caught at night-time and in other seas. This provides a healthy puzzle element to the game and increases the addictiveness. The game’s conclusion only comes from completing all of the missions set… Does Kevin get reunited with his father?... You’ll have to find that out for yourself!

Positives -

Value for money due to a variety of mini-games and missions which give this game a long shelf-life.

Nice cartoon appearance and simple interface for anyone to use.

Clever use of actual time of hour to influence the ‘day or night’ mode of gameplay.

Very addictive

Personalise your equipment for specific fish whilst at sea

Negatives -

Very repetitive challenges largely relying on luck (arguably much like the real thing!)

You can’t cancel your casting off if pressed by accident.

Can’t jump to mini-games to complete favourite games.

The waiting for a fish to bite means you must switch off your power-saver options for your phone screen or else you’ll miss catching the fish or inadvertently let it go!

Game music and no sound effects are terrible.