Reviewed: November 3, 2004
Reviewed by: JoLene Lark
Publisher
Global Star Software
Developer
Global Star Software
Released: 2001
Genre: Simulation
Players: 1
ESRB: Teen
8
7
3
6
7.0
System Requirements
Sim City and Deer Hunter Series collide to form Outdoor Life’s Sportsman’s Challenge game. Having played both of the aforementioned games I can definitely say that I have never had the opportunity to mix the two differing genres into one game before this. This game definitely lives up to the challenge of being a complex game that will require every bit of business experience you can think of as well as hunting knowledge in order to create the ultimate hunting simulation game.
Sportsman’s Challenge features:
- Explore 12 immense 3D enviromnets filled with lakes, mountains, and forests
- Market your park to attract more riflemen, bow hunters, fishermen and tourists
- A variety of scenarios for all skill levels
- Arrange sightseeing tours, ATV rentals, and boat rentals
- Create the ultimate sportsmans paradise with over 30 buildings - includind cabins, lodges, supply shops and more
- Build construction yards and lumber mills to clear new ares, but be careful not to damage the animal population
- Construct trail networks to provide easy access to the best park locations
- Over 25 animals to choose from, including trout, quail, fox, deer, boar, bear, elk and more
- Hire 7 employees - from rangers, who stop forest fires, to game wardens, who stop poachers
If there is one word for gameplay for this title it would be “impressive”. The game has a tutorial area, which I highly recommend be completed before even attempting to start the main game. The instant action is the best option for a beginner. This type of game allows you to choose an area that you like that is already pre-constructed. You are then given a budget that is strict money-wise and your buying options are equally as strict. You get to micromanage large items such as ranger stations, toilets and any and every item down to the fish you stock the streams with so that the area can be a success.
Customer comments are a vital way to see how well your development of the park is going. Also another key to a happy area is a happy animal, if they are not well kept in the right areas they are apt to run away or die. How do you keep a happy median in this game? The best way is to utilize the staff to keep all parties happy, customers and wildlife.
The other game mode is called challenges. In this game mode you work on a specific difficulty setting and fulfill the requirements of the challenge to succeed. This type of game requires prior experience in my opinion, so try this mode only after a few trips through the instant action mode.
This game, albeit a simulation type, has awesome graphical quality. The backgrounds were amazing along with items such as the animals, fire and even the ground. I would definitely recommend a video card and processor with enough oomph to keep up with this game. Be prepared to have your system utilized to the max as the graphics use a lot of processing power to keep the game going, something that before this game I didn’t think was possible for this genre. The thing I disliked the most was the opening movie of the hunter trying to get a deer.
Button layout was well placed and did not get in the way of game play. Another item worth mentioning is to not be expecting picture-like resolutions, be prepared to see better than average graphics such as the lakes and animals.
This area was the least planned for this game. I believe that the lack of decent sounds i.e. the slow old folks orchestra music is a downfall for this game. Were they trying to lure the animals to sleep so that hunters could kill them easier? My recommendation is to put on your own tunes and keep on planning your park and hunting areas.
This game promises die-hard creator days worth of playing. However since the delicate balance of animals and hunters can fail at the drop of a dime some missions seem to only last a very short time. If you have the try, try again type of dedication there are many hours of entertainment available. However I believe that most people will give up too easily and refuse to try again. I recommend the instant action mode for the most replay, as the challenge mode can be too challenging and have you screaming away from the game.
If one is looking for a realistic hunting with game creation simulation Sportsman’s Challenge is the game for you. The developers have identified and instituted many realistic aspects into this game. This game constantly strives for continual improvements from you, the creator, so if you can succeed this game will be leaving you with a good feeling of completion. However be prepared to not complete every mission successfully as there are so many aspects that you have to maintain and hear complaints about from the virtual patrons. If you are up for a good challenge Outdoor Life definitely has one for you with Sportsman’s Challenge.