Call of the Wild: The Angler

The Angler has a lot of soul. Every time I log in and see the (approximate) time and weather, I know exactly what spot I want to go to and what fish I’m looking for. I get excited when the conditions are just right to target that pike, and I know just the spot. The pull is there to keep me coming back. Even though it’s rough around the edges and somewhat feature-bare, you’re going to find your own spot that you don’t tell anyone about. Your own little slice of Golden Ridge heaven where you hope to one day land your Diamond.

Call of the Wild Angler is a relaxing and fun game that gets the balance between simulation and arcade action just right as it allows players to play how they want and keep it accessible. It offers three types of fishing - float, lure spinning, and jighead spinning - making it an engaging experience for fishing enthusiasts.

Call of the Wild: The Angler has beautiful vistas, a huge map and a big variety of rods to choose from, but its mix of rather simplistic and obtuse fishing, along with some serious visual issues, turns the game from an “essential fishing game for fans” to a “wait until it gets better”. Expansive Worlds has a great track record of improving things over time, so it might be worth a look in 2023 or beyond.

However, if you want a well-developed and smooth gaming experience, I say stay away from this game for at least a few more months.

Fishing game, open world adventure, gorgeous nature simulator – whatever bar you want to set for Call of the Wild: The Angler, it succeeds at meeting your criteria. Quiet but never boring, graphically beautiful, and with rich and entertaining fishing mechanics, The Angler is one of those rare games that creates a class all its own. You have never played a game like this, and it is likely rare that you have played one this good at accomplishing what it sets out to do. Highly recommended, even for those that might not think they would like fishing games.

Like real fishing, Call of the Wild: The Angler is a game that can be absolutely maddening yet gratifying at the same time. The game has fun fishing gameplay and what’s there is nice, there’s just not a lot of depth for those looking for a deep and fun fishing experience.

If you’re anything like me and play video games to relax and get absorbed into a different world for even a few minutes, I’m afraid Call of the Wild: The Angler is likely not the game for you. If you enjoy games that have wildlife and fishing and look really good to, Red Dead Redemption 2 (online or off) holds up very well. As does Final Fantasy XV and Sea of Thieves! In a year or so when Call of the Wild: The Angler has received more updates with content and bug fixes I can see it being a great game. The game is technically playable, but I would hesitate to call it an enjoyable experience.