360 Review: Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
I don’t get it. Why do game developers continue to make games based on hit TV shows, expecting great results? I’m a fan of this show; I’ve enjoyed getting to know the characters over the last few years, and I believe them when they say that crab fishing is one of the world’s deadliest jobs. I was curious how that would translate to a video game, and now I have my answer. Not well.
I have to be honest though; I only gave Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm about 30 minutes of my time, outside of the incredibly long tutorial level (but hey, I got 60 achievement points from it!). I’d love one of our customers with much more patience than me to give it an honest review, because I just don’t think I gave it enough time. But, I had better things to do, like watching paint dry.
The game’s tutorial lesson is comprehensive and lays out the game very well. But, once I was on my own, I found myself forgetting everything that I learned. I will give the game credit though; it really puts the player in the seat of being a ship’s captain, because you will find that you have to manage every part of the game. First, I had to hire a crew. I made the mistake of giving a greenhorn a chance, only to have him complain about how cold it was then hurt himself seriously enough that I had to fly the coast guard in for an evacuation, leaving my crew down a member.
Graphically, the game is so-so. I had to turn off the “seasick cam” because I didn’t want to be the sorry sack who puked from a video game. Seriously, the boat’s rocking back and forth was enough to do me in. The game has great audio, although you’ll get tired of hearing the seagulls constantly fussing on your boat.
This game is definitely a simulation game, because you’ll get your hands in every aspect of the game. I think if I had given it more time, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I just didn’t have the heart to do it, especially with reviews to do on Don King’s gaming turd and Alone in the Dark.
I’ll give the game 2.5 Captain Sig’s out of 5 for now, with a possible upgrade coming when I give it more time.