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Big Game Fishing is a fun arcade-oriented fishing game by Simulmondo that focuses as much on financial realities of fishing as the sport itself. There is a simple but reasonably realistic plot: you are a businessman who is virtually broke, on a coveted vacation at a nondescript island. Being broke, the only way your vacation could last more than a day is if you catch enough fish to pay for boat rental fees, gas, and other expenses. The game starts ashore, where you can buy baits, gas, and other necessities in a store before setting out. Fishing is a good combination of reflexes and planning: you must plot your route carefully, observe the weather, seagulls, and sonar scan to locate the fish and time the opportunity to hook him. A joystick is the best way to play this game, as joystick movements for most actions (reeling, casting etc.) feel quite authentic. Because you need to sell fish to rent a boat etc. to fish for the next day, this adds an interesting strategic dimension to the game. Bigger fish nets more money, but they only live in the deepest waters, which require a lot of gas (hence money) to get to. This essentially forces you to fish close to the coast, saving any cash you earn to plan farther expeditions. Overall, Big Game Fishing is a solid fishing game that won't appeal to hardcore fishing fans who crave realism and accuracy, but will prove a lot of fun to everyone else. As in real life, though, fishing is a sport that requires a lot of patience, so don't expect fish to bite as soon as you drop the line. Recommended. Reviewed by: Underdogs | 
