Call of the Wild: The Angler™

Developer: Expansive Worlds
Release: Aug 31st 2022
Platforms:
Adventure
Casual
Simulation
Sports
Relaxing
Immersive
Realistic
Abandoned
Buggy
Call of the Wild: The Angler™ Poster

" Immersive open-world fishing adventure with realistic mechanics but plagued by bugs and neglect "

Call of the Wild: The Angler™ Review

Call of the Wild: The Angler™ presents a mixed experience for players. While it offers beautiful maps, relaxing ambiance, and a realistic fishing simulation that appeals especially to fans of fishing and exploration, many users feel the game was abandoned by developers prematurely. The gameplay starts off enjoyable and immersive, with mechanics that capture the essence of fishing and nature exploration. However, as players progress, some quests become frustratingly grindy and time-consuming, detracting from the overall fun.

Technical issues such as glitches, sound problems, and performance hiccups are commonly reported, with some players noting workarounds but expressing disappointment at the lack of patches. The community feels ignored as feedback went unaddressed, contributing to a perception that the project was left unfinished. Nevertheless, the game retains a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its core experience and hope for future revival or updates.

Highlights

Players praise the game for its realistic fishing mechanics, beautiful and immersive environments, and relaxing atmosphere. The incorporation of exploration alongside fishing adds depth, and the rotating legendary fish challenges provide ongoing goals. Crossplay functionality and the presence of missions crafted by in-game wardens enhance engagement. Many find the game a perfect blend of casual and grind, with visuals and sound design that complement the fishing experience well.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game feeling like an unfinished or abandoned project with little developer support post-launch. Many players report bugs and glitches such as sound lure issues and freezing, which reduce enjoyment. The later quests can be tedious and frustrating, involving long hikes and extended playtime to catch rare fish. Performance problems on some systems and a lack of meaningful updates or community feedback incorporation further dampen player enthusiasm.

Pros

  • Realistic and immersive fishing mechanics that appeal to fishing enthusiasts.
  • Beautiful and diverse maps that enhance exploration and ambiance.
  • Relaxing gameplay experience suitable for casual play sessions.
  • Crossplay support allowing multiplayer interaction across platforms.
  • Rotating weekly challenges with legendary fish keep gameplay fresh.
  • Missions created by in-game wardens add structure and goals.
  • Good blend of casual fishing and grinding for dedicated players.

Cons

  • Game feels abandoned with no recent updates or developer support.
  • Performance issues and bugs like sound glitches and freezing reported.
  • Later quests become tedious and frustrating due to rare fish requirements.
  • Community feedback was largely ignored, causing player dissatisfaction.
  • Some players find the game overly grindy and time-consuming.
  • Lag and poor optimization on certain platforms affect gameplay.
  • Lack of features like aquariums reduces long-term engagement.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

The Angler is an open world fishing game that can be played solo or with friends. Discover and catch a wide variety of unique fish species, from common to rare, on your journey to become a master angler.

Release Date Aug 31st 2022
Publisher Avalanche Studios
Developer Expansive Worlds
Platforms

User Reviews

Mostly Positive (2,917)
71% Positive 29% Negative