Tag Archives: Fishing

Dovetail Games Euro Fishing Foundry Dock DLC review

I could literally write this review in one, perhaps harsh sentence. I won’t do that because that’s not very entertaining, is it? So I will endure writing this as I endured playing the game. Sounds fair. Fishing has never been something that I would go for in terms of entertainment. The smell, the overpriced equipment and also the length of time it takes to catch a fish is not appealing at all. In the interest of fairness though, I can completely appreciate why people do it and that some people actually find it therapeutic and a good escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. When I was asked to play a  fishing game I was a bit sceptical, but I’m a gamer and I’m open minded, so gave it a bash.

Just a very quick overview of Euro Fishing, if you’ve never heard or played it. All the tutorials are there to help you get started, there is a comprehensive guide to different casts, rods and bait to use for the best results. Also, there is a very handy simple mode for noobs like me. The game is typically British as most of the early settings are the sort of places you find little tents pitched up in with some old dude sat in his chair escaping life. Graphically it’ll do and the controls are relatively easy to get to grips of, which I like but they do take some practice to master. You can read our review of the vanilla version of Euro Fishing here.

Like any game nowadays, the DLC determines the lifespan; keep the DLC coming and the game stays alive, leave it and it’ll die. Euro Fishing have supplied some DLC for their creation and that is what we are going to look at here. Foundry Dock DLC offers players a brand new glorious setting which is a welcome change to the stock ones. Along with the new setting, you get a new boss fish to capture, yeah yeah I said it, boss fish. For some extra sprinkling, you get some new achievements too, which is a nice addition to any game. The only real beef I have with this is the DLC costs £8.99/$10.99/€10.99 respectively, and it just isn’t worth it. For what is already a bit of an acquired taste, the Foundry Dock DLC doesn’t really add much in terms of value. I’m a fair man so I’ll stay objective, at least Dovetail are doing DLC for those fans of the game, you have to respect that.

There are no new fish species to catch, which is a bit of a shame, but there are already lots to capture so you shouldn’t be too disappointed. You can, however, buy the full game and the DLC in the Urban Edition of the game which may work to be a bit cheaper and you won’t feel like you’ve been stung. I like the new setting though, it looks really nice and adds a bit of variety to what is quite a slow game, you’ll be looking at the surroundings a lot so it’s good that Dovetail has paid some attention to it.

Overall I’d say the Foundry Dock DLC adds another layer but to be perfectly honest they could have included it in the main game and not bothered, but they did bother so fair play. Euro Fishing is not something that I would push too much, the relaxed gameplay and the sometimes tense moments can be quite appealing and I did find myself getting into it after a little while. With that said though if you’re after something a bit different from the norm then you can’t get more different than this

Thank you to Dovetail and Microsoft for supporting TiX

Dovetail Games Euro Fishing review

Dovetail Games Euro Fishing is another simulation title from the makers of Train Simulator, offering a digital facsimile of lake fishing that’s far more realistic than the majority of other fishing titles currently available. However, does its authenticity damage its enjoyment?

It will for some, Euro Fishing’s recreates the experience of fishing realistically enough so to make it unappealing to those not enamoured by the sport. However, if you’re looking for some out of season fishing or don’t fancy the weather outside, Euro Fishing is sure to provide a great substitution.

A comprehensive tutorial offers an accessible, multi-stage set of lessons to teach you not only the mechanics of the game but also the tricks involved in the real thing, introducing you to bait and float types, showing you how to cast your line, and educating you on what to look out for and how to best reel in those precious fish.

Dovetail Euro Fishing 1

Meanwhile, outside of the tutorial you have the choice of singleplayer fishing against the AI in all manner of tournaments or overcoming challenges, free fishing simply for the fun of it, and an online offering allowing you to competitively fish against your friends or in tournaments against the wider player-base.

It appears to be a fairly barebones set of options but what’s here encapsulates the sport of lake fishing nicely. There are five real-world lakes to fish in: The Observatory, L’arène, Digger Lake, St John’s Lake, and Presa Del Monte Bravo. Meanwhile, seven species of fish – Roach, Bream, Tench, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Leather Carp and the Wels Catfish – test your skills and wits. And indeed this simulator truly does test your abilities. Casting to the right area of a lake, baiting your hook with the right bait, fighting the fish should you be lucky enough to get a bite, picking the right peg to cast from, and managing multiple rods at the same time, all require some thoughtful preparation and strategy for you to find any success. As such it’s a remarkably competent simulation.

Dovetail Euro Fishing 2

However, some issues do damage the enjoyment and sense of realism. Lengthy load times are frustrating and it’s common for the camera to be obstructed each time it tries to celebrate a fish you’ve caught with a panning shot. Meanwhile, a lack of fine details makes the environments look overly bright and gamey. However, the gamification with the named ‘boss fishes’ which are highly prized but difficult fish to catch, is a nice touch, and if the tricky, analogue stick realistic casting gets on your nerves it can be changed to a more arcadey button pressing option.

It’s disappointing that your fishing antics are restricted to lakes and only seven species of fish, but it’s a strong foundation for more content in either DLC or a sequel. It’s certainly a bit of a niche title but one that caters to its audience splendidly. If you’re a keen fisher then Dovetail Games Euro Fishing is going to suit you wonderfully, if fishing isn’t really your thing, then you’ll find this too weighted toward simulation to enjoy.

Thanks to Xbox and Dovetail Games for supporting TiX