Bassmaster Fishing 2022 aims to deliver the thrill of competitive bass fishing with an authentic edge, thanks to its official Bassmaster license. But while it hooks some promising features, it doesn’t always reel them in smoothly.

• Authenticity: The inclusion of real-world anglers, branded gear, and licensed tournaments brings a nice level of realism. For fans of the Bassmaster series, this is a big plus.
• Scenic Environments: Visually, the game holds up fairly well. The lakes are large, detailed, and feel alive with weather changes and shifting water conditions.
• Career Progression: The single-player career mode gives a solid sense of growth, starting players out as amateurs and working their way up to elite events.

• Rough Around the Edges: The game launched with its fair share of bugs and technical hiccups. While some have been patched, the experience still feels a bit unrefined.
• Uninspired Mechanics: Casting, reeling, and navigating the boat often lack the fluidity and precision needed for a satisfying sim. The controls can feel sluggish and awkward, especially during tense moments.
• Repetitive Gameplay: After a few tournaments, the gameplay loop starts to feel a bit too familiar. It lacks the variety and challenge needed to keep the experience engaging in the long run.
• Online Play Needs Work: Multiplayer is a neat idea, but connectivity problems and shallow matchmaking features make it hard to stay invested.

Final Thoughts:

Bassmaster Fishing 2022 has its heart in the right place and offers enough for true fishing enthusiasts to enjoy. However, it misses out on being the definitive bass fishing experience due to technical flaws and game play that doesn’t evolve much over time. It’s a decent fishing sim but only if you’re willing to overlook its rough waters.

Rating: 6/10