biggamefishing-ics Commodore 64 game

In this thrilling fishing adventure, Phil 'Tiny Tackle King' embarks on a quest to catch a gigantic fish to complement his plate of delicious chips. However, this isn't your leisurely riverside fishing experience. You won't catch a 100kg swordfish with a budget rod and a can of maggots. Instead, you'll be equipped with a motorboat. The challenge is to catch enough fish to cover the costs of boat rental, fuel, and all your fishing gear.

To start your journey, you must carefully plan your navigation route through the South Seas, ensuring you have enough fuel to get there, as you'll be responsible for your rescue expenses if you run out.

Once you reach your chosen fishing spot, the game switches to a stunning 3-D view from the back of your boat, with your fishing rod front and center. You can attach a variety of bait types, each used at a specific depth to attract specific types of fish. Unfortunately, the game's instructions are somewhat vague, so you'll have to rely on trial and error. Cast your line to the desired depth and wait until seagulls start circling above, signaling that it's time to throw out some 'chum' (sardines) to attract your prey. If everything aligns, including your boat's speed, you'll get a bite, indicated by the bending of your rod. Be prepared, as the big fish will try to pull your line out unless you swiftly adjust your clutch control to hold it and pull back to reel it in. Keep an eye on the drag bar, though: if the line gets too tense, it may snap as the fish leaps out of the water, which is represented in a visually pleasing graphic.

While it may sound challenging, reeling in the catch is relatively easy, especially in the easy mode. On the harder difficulty level, you'll need to pay more attention to the tension in your line and provide some slack when the fish struggles.

At the outset, the main challenge is getting a bite. After several attempts, I couldn't even catch a sprat, which left me feeling quite frustrated. However, after some patience and persistence, my first catch was nothing short of exhilarating. The panic of adjusting the boat's speed, clutch control, and reeling in the big fish had me leaning back in my chair.

The initial thrill of catching a fish may not be easily replicated, and the gameplay can become somewhat repetitive. However, the long-term challenge of earning enough money to explore deeper waters in pursuit of even larger fish keeps you hooked.