System Requirements: System: Pentium ® 166 class WITH 3D accelerator card P-200 WITHOUT 3D card Memory: 32MB RAM Platform: Win95/98/2000, NT 4 with Service Pack 4 Hardware: 8x CD-ROM Sound: DirectSound-compatible card Video: SVGA 640x480 High Colour (16-bit) Peripherals: Mouse, Keyboard Optional: 3D Card: 3dFX Glide-compatible (preferred) or Direct3D/DirectX6-compatible Multiplayer Game Support: Internet (requires 32-bit, PPP Internet service); Local Area Network (requires TCP/IP or IPX network); Modem (28.8 or better) Joystick: Windows-compatible joysticks (Force-feedback: Microsoft Force Feedback Pro) Da Introduction Amazingly enough, although I love fishing, I never have the time to actually go fishing. Gaining the same vicarious pleasure by catching virtual fish has got to be the next best thing. I have tried a number of different fishing games, and this one is the best so far. The whole product has a nice consistent polish to its presentation, and the game is quite absorbing. Basically you have 25 lakes to choose from and you can choose to play a single fishing trip, a single tournament, launch a career, which is a whole string of gradually more difficult tournaments, or you can go online and compete in tournaments against other folks. The single fishing trip is nice as a way to sample all the various lakes without the pressure of competition. You can experiment with various lures, test different line strengths and generally get the feel of the game. This mode has an amazing amount of control You set all the weather conditions the way you want them for the perfect fishing trip, including the wind. You can also save a particular set-up for later and it can be quick loaded when you need it. However the best part of the game for me is in the competition and we dove right in(no pun intended). We started up the career mode and set up a character and went out on the lake. The first thing you do is set the type of fish you are competing for, then you are shown a map of the lake and you pick your starting position. You have a limited amount of time to fish and then you are penalized by weight for lateness. You are also penalized for every fish that is dead when brought out of the live well so be careful with your fish. Along the way, if you get stuck you have access to an extensive array of help that seems to be a bass fishing instruction set all it's own. There are videos to play for almost every situation and a database of tips and information for more help. Da Graphics The graphics are quite good. The camera view which follows your lure as it travels through the water presents nicely animated fish (who all to often completely ignore whichever lure you have chosen to offer them, turning away in complete distain or simply sitting there on the bottom), which are capable of moving with amazing speed and smooth animation. My wife and I both jumped a couple of times when a fish struck the line with such suddenness that we were both taken aback. The fish move realistically, and the animation is not at all repetitive, but rather very well executed (I would suspect them of using motion capture technologies were it not for the image of a large-mouthed bass with sensors strapped all over its scales). The only negative point with regards to the graphics is the fact that you are limited to 640x480 display – although this presented no obstacle in playing the game, higher resolutions would have been a good option. I suspect that this resolution was chosen to encompass the widest variety of computers as this is a game aimed at non-traditional game players, so as a deliberate choice I can understand it, but I think offering at least 800x600 would have been nice. Da Sound The sound is very well done, and adds very nicely to the ambience. Whether it's the cry of various birds, the swish of the boat through the water, or the sound of the engines as you move it about, it all fits so perfectly with the rest of the game that at no point did I fall out of the required suspension of disbelief that the rest of the game set up nicely. Da Gameplay What can you say? This is bass fishing. You fish for bass of various types in competition with computer controlled characters, or online via won.net against live opponents. If you like this sort of game, then this is a must buy. If you have never tried a fishing game, its worth exploring. The fish can be quite difficult to land given the combination of the tension on the line, the rate at which you crank it in, the pull of the fish and of course your timing in reeling it in. I lost quite a few fish before I got the hang of using the reel properly, and there is still quite a bit to learn. You can select various line weights, rod types, styles of casting, and an amazing array of different lures, each with its own characteristics. Using the correct lure at the right time, and under the right conditions will take a bit of time and effort to master. The various types of fish each have different characteristics and individual behaviours. The learning curve for Trophy Bass 4 is not too steep, it should take about an hour to learn how to play, but to truly master this game will be a challenge, as there is quite a bit of depth here. However, the basic controls are not too bad. You control the speed at which you are reeling in with the numbers 1-9 and the line tension with the "+ and –" keys. You cast with the left mouse button and you have a fish finder to let you know where to cast. That and some patience is enough to let you have a reasonable chance of catching some fish, but to catch the big large mouth bass, you will have to practise, practise, practise. The online component of the game is very easy to set up and login to. Just like other Won.net games, the interface is in the game and all you do is go to the online section and logon. Then you get a server list, look at the various tournaments on offer and go for it. You are then playing against live people so you chat to them and compare results. This is great stuff and if you have a competitive group can lead to some really heated tournaments. Da Conclusion For the fishing enthusiasts out there, this is an excellent game. Even for fishing novices, I recommend giving this a try, as it is just great fun. I think that Sierra has once again produced a wonderful fishing game, filled with extras and meticulous detail and I am glad I had the chance to review it. Joystick up for Trophy Bass 4. This title reviewed by DA GAMEBOYZ own Raven