Review by: Mike Thompson

When was the last time you went fishing? You know, just headed out to some place quiet, chilled out, and cast your line on the water? If it's been too long —or this sort of activity sounds like it'd be fun— then you need to check out Fishing Resort for the Wii. The new fishing simulator from XSEED is one of those rare gems that's simultaneously tranquil and fun, just like a good fishing trip should be.

The premise of Fishing Resort is incredibly simple. After you select your character's basic look, you arrive on Penangkapan Island for an endless vacation and learn the basics of how to fish. The friendly locals on the pier are quick to show you how things are done, and then it's off to the island's hotel to check into your room. Once you check out your luxury digs, you're free to wander around the island at your leisure and fish to your heart's content.

The game is absolutely lovely to look at. Everything about the resort looks like it's straight out of a postcard; one of those classy cards, too, with white sand, huts on top of the water and stunning mountaintop views. Additionally, the fish all move beautifully as they swim around the water near your lures. The music, too, is lovely and tranquil. This is one of those titles that's incredibly relaxing just to watch and listen.

So here's how the fishing works: When you're next to a body of water, you tap the A button and enter the fishing mode. Casting a line is as simple as mimicking the motions with your Wii remote and — once the lure's out — you'll find yourself patiently waiting for a bite on the line. After that, you adjust your rod's position with the Wii remote and move the nunchuck in a circle to reel the catch in. While you do this, you'll also have to keep an eye on the (very) faint line tension gauge: Too much tension will cause the line to snap, but if you let it out too much, the fish will get away.

The one big drawback with Fishing Resort is that its fishing mechanics are extremely slow-paced. It takes a lot of patience to sit, waiting for a bite, and it's not uncommon for it to take up to a minute before anything happens after you cast your line.

The fishing goes hand in hand with an RPG element, too. The more you fish, the more experience and ranks you earn. On top of that, your catches are converted into points that can be used to purchase all sorts of new gear, clothes, or other items (like, say, a yacht). There is a massive amount of stuff you can buy, so it's unlikely that you'll ever wind up with a surplus of points while you play through the game.