If we made fishing games, they'd probably be the best fishing games in the world. You'd get to harpoon blue whales, use shotguns for wide-angle fishing and employ dynamite for instant pond clearance. Who wants realism in a fishing game? Rapala, that's who. Welcome to Pro Fishing: the game that's just as lonely and dull as the 'sport' itself.

You've got free-fishing or tournament play to choose from, with tournaments measuring the total length, weight or number of fish in your haul to determine the winner. You compete with other fishermen and women (fisherpersons?), but shamefully never get to see them during a game. No chance of scuppering a rival's boat, then.

Selecting the best lure and where to fish is crucial, and once you whip out your rod there's a guide on hand who offers useful suggestions. The actual fishing itself makes clever use of the analogue controller, enabling you to gently press L2 to slowly reel in the line, or put full pressure on it to fight the pull of a mouth-hooked fishbeast.

The effort required makes landing a catch oddly rewarding, but not enough to make you want to keep returning to the water. Digital-fishing fans (all three of them!) will carp on that Rapala Pro Fishing has it all, but we reckon you'd be better off holding out for OPS2's Loch Ness Monster Hunter.

Graphics 60%
Attractive, until fish get stuck in rocks!

Sound 40%
Atmospheric, but little practical use.

Gameplay 40%
Simple and intuitive. Fun? Nope!

Lifespan 50%
Lots of challenges and fish to catch.

Overall 50%
Rapala is realistic, plays okay and looks nice, but even at budget prices there are more engaging alternatives to choose from.