Rapala Fishing Frenzy
Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2009
Fishing games maybe the rare game of choice for most gamers, but when they are done right they feel real and are usually very fun even if most players will not admit it. Whether the game is arcade in nature or if it drifts towards the simulation side of the sport the overall experience can be fun for many players. In the last few years most fishing titles have been really bad in many ways, especially on the gameplay front and if the gameplay is not very good this usually means the worst.
Unfortunately Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2009 by FUN Labs failed to even try and developer a decent control scheme for the PS3 version of Rapala, relying on poor motion controls so bad they are on par with the pre-patched LAIR, the graphics are a generation behind and some bad sound effects and music to top it off. But in the end if you want to know more continue to read the review and judge for yourself.
Gameplay
Usually a fishing game will have fairly good and straight forward controls, such as Sega Bass Fishing on the Dreamcast and Wii, but in terms of Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2009 on the Playstation 3, the controls are lacking in many ways and never feel right. Quirky motion controls are the biggest issue because the on screen directions which are basically clear in their general directions but never seem to work well with the overall action on the screen as you are flailing your hands in every direction.
Using the motion controls to cast, control your rod, forcing the hook in the mouth of the fish and driving the boat. A good concept by design but poorly implemented in many ways, with the actual motion controls feeling like a total gimmick which are completely wasted on the gamer. Plus with no ‘Wii-strap’ it would not surprise me to see peoples controllers go flying, by accident or out of frustration.
As you play the game, you unlock, which is always cool to do, new gear such as lures and hooks. You also win awards and trophies by catching X number of fish or Y number of fish a certain way and more depending on the overall difficulty. This is a nice addition as these are represented in your ‘Fishing Lodge’ via gear, trophies and stuffed fish. The ‘Fishing Lodge’ concept could be much more then it is, but alas this is nothing more then a bad and ugly (graphic wise) gimmick.
After you catch a couple of fish the game has no difficulty challenge at all and you can literally beat the game with one hand and with no challenge the game will not have any long term play. I am amazed that a game published by Activision would come out with such a small set of features and gameplay issues. Maybe if a Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2010 comes along next year the game will be better.
Graphics
With the power of the Playstation 3 behind this game you would expect it to at least look as good as the average PS3 game, but Rapala Fishing Frenzy 2009 looks like a higher resolution Wii game and that is not a good thing if you were curious. Everything except the in game surface of the water is very low in overall quality, especially the characters and the foliage. The fish actually look and act in a realistic manner, but the fish are the only good looking creature or foliage underwater. In the end the games graphics are just a major disappointment when we are surrounded by plenty of great looking games.
Audio
Audio wise I found the game to be lacking in almost every way, even the simple job of adding decent sound effects for the environment were very plain and poorly implemented. We have heard better sound effects in fishing games from consoles two generations ago. Along with the annoying in game music, which is nothing more then basic arcade music at its best, the overall audio was the most disappointing side to the game.
Value
With no multiplayer and the bad overall gameplay the games value is non-existent, perhaps for some players they will find some fun playing in the tournaments, but they feel more like a chore then anything else.
Bottom Line
The game appears to be confused if it is an arcade title and if it is, make it fun by have us fishing some rare and cooler fish, other then what they have in the game and if they wanted a simulation, why the lame controls, bad motion controls and poor gameplay overall. This is not even a rental, stay far away from it.
Pros
+ Possibly a contender for the worst fishing game ever, so that is something… maybe
Cons
- Bad graphics, this does not even look like a PS3 game more like a Wii title done badly
- Horrible gameplay, it is not a simulation or a arcade game
- Motion controls just suck
- Why no analog stick controls?
- Sound effects and music are just aggravating and simplistic
- No multiplayer
- Did they try to make this game good?
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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