If there's one franchise that I love when it comes to fishing simulations, it's Ultimate Games. Ultimate Fishing Simulator was able to surprise me with its ease of handling, its general accessibility, and its fairly correct physics compared to the competition. Better still, an ultra-immersive VR version has come to complete the pleasure of the game. This version 2 landed at the end of August quickly knew how to position itself, improving the overall experience by a greater quantity of equipment, fish, and by its permanent multiplayer mode.
The Early Access phase is expected to last approximately six months, after which Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 will arrive on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch consoles. VR systems are also planned.
Designed by fishing fans for fishing fans
Since its debut, the game has found its audience, with simple but clean graphics, and a welcome innovation: the water camera. Dream of many fishermen to see the fish come on the hook and react to the handling of the rod. The game offers it and UFS 2 even improves the concept: You can now observe fish both underwater and on the surface. You can also adjust the camera framing to see if the groundbait or bait has caught a fish's attention. Out of the water, you can more simply let yourself be guided by the vibrations of the joystick, which simulates and echoes the tension of the line and the attacks of the fish.
The game offers 3 fishing techniques (float, cast, or bottom) and different locations, making you travel to the USA, Poland, Germany, Russia or even Thailand, to capture 60 different species of fish. Proof that the franchise is growing, licensed hardware manufacturers are present, like Sakura and Robinson.
Great novelty, if not the best, the possibility of organizing or participating in tournaments between players. For $50 (virtual of course) for registration, you will have to bring back the most filled net within a given time in order to win the bet. But the online features don't stop there, and when you're fishing, you'll see the catches of other online players displayed in real time. You will be able to adapt your fishing technique if you see that "Roger has just released a 4kg trout" right next to you. A chat function by language will allow you to exchange with other players. A really good feature!
Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 is currently listed on Steam for under $20.