Scenario
Rapala is looking for a new pro angler and we are invited to participate in 6 tournaments to become the new member of the brand. This is how the game begins and you play the contender for the position.
The game has a free mode, to train, and a competition mode, where you have to stand out from other competitors to increase your level. The victories allow you to acquire better equipment and to change your boat.
Playability
The animation system for decoys and combat is not the best and immersion is limited, at least at the beginning. Once you get the hang of the game, you have a bit more fun, but it's still limited compared to what you can find in other games.
Graphics
Graphically, the game doesn't really impress, but it still meets the minimum expectations. The aquatic view, with the fish that you can see swimming, has its charm and just for it, you can appreciate to see your lure under water.
Lifetime
The game consists of seven lakes and six tournaments that take place on these same lakes. You can play through the game quickly, but if you want to win all the tournaments, you will need a good ten hours.
It is rather redundant, but it has the merit of being infinitely replayable, and you can always hope to beat your record, a bit like reality in fact.
What I appreciate is that we find many North American species, common to our waters. You can find musky, walleye, pike, striped bass, trout and even tarpon, snook and peacock bass! It's a good way to learn about fish and identify them quickly.
The behavior of the species, the lures likely to catch them, the depths and the composition of the bottom are parameters to be observed to find the fish, and correspond to the reality.
My opinion
At first, this game may seem like just a showcase for Rapala products, but there really is a video game behind it.
Rapala fishing pro series is not the game of the century, however, it is a good release to pass the time, in the evening or on rainy days, when the lack of fishing is felt. Posted at 45 euros or 20 euros depending on the media, it often falls in promotion around 2 euros, in download on the PS4 and Switch.
At this price, honestly, you don't lose anything and you have fun for a while. It has the merit to be realistic and to correspond, in the main lines, to what we can meet at the water's edge.
For a child, a beginner or someone who has never touched a fishing rod, it is a game that can really give useful information, develop knowledge, automatisms and who knows, maybe give birth to new vocations!
As a proof, my girlfriend, who fishes two hours a year, spent more hours than me in front of the screen, it even allowed her to learn some fish species.
Rapala fishing pro series
- Support: PS4 and Switch
- Price : between 2 and 45 euros
- Developer: Game Mill
