Galactic Catch is one weird virtual reality fishing game for Quest 2 and Quest Pro, and by that, I mean in a good way.
It’s a casual fishing VR game that still retains the good old tension mechanics but adds some nice twists to the formula, such as energy that can trigger unique abilities, capturing out-of-this-world fish, and even crafting!
You start in a location on a planet and need to complete missions to progress and unlock new ones. As you capture fish, you’ll also gather resources that enable you to craft new gear. This is important because some of those items are required or at least make it easier for you to capture other types of fish, including bigger and rarer ones.
The cool thing about playing a fishing game in virtual reality, especially in a sci-fi setting like this one, is that it feels fresh and unique. If you’re looking for a realistic VR fishing game, this may not be the right one for you, but it’s still worth a try.
The game’s mechanics are similar to many other fishing games, with a mini-game where you use the right bait for each type of fish. You’ll need better gear to catch certain fish, and the tension mechanics of the fishing rod are key. Essentially, in this game, you’ll need to swish, flick, pull, or let go to ensure that the fishing line doesn’t snap out of the fish’s mouth. Visual cues will guide you on when and in which direction to pull the rod, so timing is important.
The game excels in animation, gameplay mechanics, music, and sound effects. It’s a simple fishing game suitable for kids and kids at heart, offering a unique charm that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
There is also a feature that enables you to customize your aquarium and add the fish you capture directly into it, or several of them for that matter.
One thing I didn’t like was the design of the fish. I wished there were more interesting ones (although I haven’t caught all of them yet). The water areas look nice, but they still left something to be desired in terms of higher immersion. After all, we are fishing on alien planets, so I was expecting more interesting themes. Nevertheless, they still look nice. Additionally, an online competitive aspect would be cool, but unfortunately, it’s not included in the game.
Again, the game is more of a casual VR fishing experience for Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro. Don’t expect some of the advanced features you find in more realistic fishing simulation games. Otherwise, you’ll be disappointed. Personally, I prefer the more casual and simple gameplay experience, especially in VR where extended gameplay can become uncomfortable. At least, that’s how it feels for me.
So in this game, you can jump into quick gameplay sessions, make progress, and try again the next day. However, I have to admit that the gameplay experience is highly addictive, particularly the fishing mini-game mechanics. It was hard to stop playing. The last time I felt like this was when I was fishing in the Nintendo Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This just goes to show how good the game is, at least in my opinion.
Overall, I highly recommend getting this game. It is affordably priced and delivers a great casual VR fishing experience suitable for all ages.