|
|
TROPHY RIVERS
Manufacturer: Sierra/Sierra Sports (1997)
Price: $29.99
Genre: Cool water fishing/fly fishing simulation.
System Requirements: Win95, Pentium, 16 MB RAM, Mouse, CD-ROM, Sound Card, Direct
X, 28.8+ Modem (for Internet Play Options). Trophy Rivers runs in 800x600 resolution.
TROPHY RIVERS is the newest member of the Sierra/Sierra Sports fishing sim line-up (Trophy Bass and Trophy Bass 2 being the others). This is a cool/cold water fishing sim, players can fish for monster salmon, acrobatic grayling and a variety of trout and char. Like the other Sierra fishing sims one has a virtually unlimited tacklebox and fishing gear to allow players to adjust to the various conditions of river fishing. One can fly fish, use spinners on a baitcasting or spinning rig while wading, boating and canoeing down five of America's finest rivers: The Dechutes, Miramichi River, the White River, Big Hole River and Sol Duc River.
The game overall runs like it's warm water cousin Trophy Bass 2. You start with a river map and drift or wade around until you find a likely fishing spot. Where the fish hang out is dependent on the weather, time of day and water level. Once you find a good looking spot you head to the fishing screen.
In the fishing screen the player cast out his presentation and (hopefully) reels in a keeper. There is no livewell, only a logbook (catch and release only here) to record your largest trophy fish. Keep in mind that changing conditions on the river (and of the river itself) calls for quick thinking in order to make adjustments "on the fly" (excuse the pun).
Trophy Rivers offers both modem and internet play along with tournament fishing against either the computer or an on-line opponent. The Trophy Rivers tourneys can be fast, furious and as nerve wracking as the real deal!
NOTE: Trophy Rivers requires player to run the game in 800x600 resolution. I suggest that anyone who owns (or is looking to buy) the game download Microsoft's Quick Res for Win95. This wonderful Win95 utility allows one to shift resolutions WITHOUT rebooting the system.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
The BEST river fishing/ fly
fishing game developed!
Excellent selection of gear and fishing locations.
Nice species selection: steelhead, salmon, trout, char, grayling.
Multi-player feature and a number of game options.
Great graphics and excellent fish AI.
THE CONS:
Cannot match insect hatches.
Boats can be tricky to steer when drifting.
Needs to run in 800x600 res. (can be solved with QuickRes utility for Win 95 users).
Review by Steven Ellis