Spearfishing Pro (99 cents) is a solid 3D fishing iPhone game that places you right in the middle of the ocean as you’re given various tasks that all involve catching a specific number or type of fish.
The tasks start out quite simple, with the game merely asking you to catch two or three fish of any type; later on, you’ll have to catch copious amounts of specific types of fish, all while avoiding attack by much larger prey, like the sharks roaming the ocean depths.
As tense as that might sound, this is a fairly relaxed game. The early stages are sparsely populated by fish, perhaps in an effort to let the players get their bearings, while the greatest tension in the later challenges comes from a timer that seems unforgivably short when you need it most.
Otherwise, control will be your biggest challenge in Spearfishing Pro. Players can move their fisherman using either a digital analog controller or by tilting their phone, but neither one feels very precise. Tilting the phone in a 3D space feels particular unnatural, but the movements of the digital analog are incredibly touchy, which can be a problem when you’re trying to line up a crosshair to spear a fish.
While the game does have several options you can customize — including difficulty and graphic level — analog sensitivity is not one of them. You are given the option to increase your character’s oxygen tank level, which is a good thing because the default will have you resurfacing far too often. I’m still not sure I notice the sort of difference the option promises, but it’s better than nothing at all.
Overall, Spearfishing Pro is hardly a must-have game. It has so-so 3D visuals and play mechanics that can be a bit dodgy at times, but its reliance on defined stages could at least keep you busy long past the value of a 99-cent app. If you’ve got fishing in your heart, it might be worth a look.
