Fishing: North Atlantic

Fishing: North Atlantic is a simulation game focusing on fishing in the North Atlantic region. It was developed by Misc Games, a company experienced in the presented theme (its previous work, Fishing: Barents Sea, used a similar scheme). The developers expanded the gameplay formula and decided to resign from an external publisher in favour of self-release.

Mechanics

The only game mode available in the game is career mode. The game starts with the creation of an avatar, which we will control throughout the game. We can choose his name and gender and then adjust the options related to additional mechanics (e.g. whether we want to do a tutorial, or whether we want to have a fast-travel option available). The game, depending on our preferences, is seen from the third or first person perspective. Initially, we have a small fishing boat given to us by our uncle, allowing us to fish only with a harpoon. Using it resembles the system used in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag: we stand at the bow of our boat, aim, choose the throwing power and try to hit the fish swimming nearby. If we succeed in this, we pull the fish out on board.

As our careers progress, we are getting better equipment and recruiting new staff. With the money we earn, we buy bigger boats or better fishing gear (e.g. nets which make it possible to catch tonnes of fish). By selling fish in ports we gain reputation points. An appropriate number of these results in better supply prices, more lucrative contracts or better loan conditions from port officials. We can catch 8 species of fish and lobsters and snow crabs. Each species is in a different area, so we need to plan our route accordingly in order to complete the tasks.

The entire gameplay takes place on the North Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia (Canada). The available area is 200x300 km and can be cruised by 25 ships with various parameters and applications. Their behaviour is influenced by factors such as wind, temperature and cloud cover. They are also hints for us whether it is better to go back to port and wait for good weather. We also need to take care of the amount of fuel in the tank and the energy level of the workers - those who are tired will not be as effective and, in the end, may stop working altogether.

Game modes

Due to the feedback that the developers received from the players after the premiere of their first game, in Fishing: North Atlantic there is no multiplayer mode. Instead, the single player mode has been expanded and improved compared to the previous part.

Technical aspects

We can notice the interior details of the available fishing boats and the appearance of the sea creatures we can catch. The available equipment is licensed by producers operating in the fishing industry.