2026 REVIEW:
Since 1996, “Fish Eyes” (Japan title, aka “Reel Fishing” internationally) have been entertainment fishing fans since its release for the Sony Playstation in 1996.
The game would receive different developers with WestOne Bit Entertainment for “FishEyes Wild” for the Dreamcast, Sims Infinity for “FishEyes Portable” for the Sony PSP, Sims would create games for the Wii and and WiiWare.
In 2012, the game would reach its 15th anniversary with “Fish Eyes 3D” (“Reel Fishing Paradise 3D” for the Nintendo 3DS and starting with this game, the game would be developed by Tachyon, who is well known for their Nintendo Wii fishing game “Mezase! Tsuri Masuta” (Aim to be a Fishing Master).
By 2015, Tachyon would try something different with the PlayStation Vita with “Reel Fishing ~wasureteita yakusoku” (the forgotten promise) which was a story that was meant to tug on one’s heartstrings about a son visiting fishing spots that he went with his father.
Dumping the “Fish Eyes” title and focusing on “Reel Fishing” to reach to an international audience, “Reel Fishing: Road Trip Adventure” was released for the Switch, PS4 and STEAM in 2019 and “Reel Fishing: Days of Summer” for the Switch, PS4/PS5, XBOX Series X and STEAM in 2024.
So, what about the classic fishing style of games that “Fish Eyes” was known for? Well, there is the “SIMPLE Series for Nintendo Switch Vol. 3: The Bass Fishing” for the Switch released in 2022.
Tachyon has been focus on smartphone/tablet applications, and also video production and software control for pachinko machines that people familiar with the “Fish Eyes” games, wonder if they will return. And as other fishing games on STEAM have done with American or European company, to see a collaboration they did with Japan’s largest fishing store, Tackle Berry again. There is so much opportunity left to be explored with the Japanese fishing scene, as evident with the popularity of the VR game “Real VR Fishing”, “Fishing Planet” Japan Odyssey Pack and even the popular DLC “Call of the Wild The Angler – Japan Fishing Reserve”.
Which leads me now to “REEL FISHING: DAYS OF SUMMER”.
With the popularity of the 2015 PS Vita game “Reel Fishing ~wasureteita yakusoku” (the forgotten promise), having done a sad storyline, Tachyon Inc. decided to incorporate Visual Novel and fishing game in one.
“Reel Fishing: Days of Summer” revolves around three friends trying to get a project done and three friends, Shawn, Neil and Alice must finish their college final group project.
Neil offers his college friends to stay at his uncle’s lodge where there is fishing. And so, being nature, the three embarked to a place where they can learn about the fish in the area, recipes for cooking, meeting locals and other people who love to fish and more.
GAMEPLAY:
The object of the game is to fish, but you only have so much time in the day and the only way to replenish stamina is through eating. So, by catching fish, you earn money, money to purchase food items at the store and those items, Alice can cook many different recipes, which work wonderful in boosting energy but also adding skill points for everyone.
You start off with the basics but learning from other people who fish, you take on challenges at various locations to catch fish as part of the challenge.
You have to play all three characters, each with their own different skillsets to catch various fish.
Since the game was made for a console, you will need to use console controls (as some of you know, certain buttons for certain consoles are different). While the concept of using right trigger to help throw your line is no problem. XBOX uses the XYAB, Switch uses the YXBA but nevertheless, you can adjust and play on your controllers. You can also use a keyboard. Personally, if you can stick with a controller, even better because this is where things get a little tricky.
Almost like a dance rhythm game, you need to be quick to hit various stick directions and buttons at the same time. That’s why a controller makes it easier to play this game but it can be done via keyboard.
And then they add the crafting and in a way, it becomes like an Atelier Alchemist type of game but instead of magic, you are dealing with food recipes and crafting reels, rods and lures.
GRAPHICS:
The graphics have colorful characters. Japanese gaming company, Japanese-style of artwork. You love Japanese VN’s, manga or anime, then you’ll be used to this style of artwork.
JUDGMENT CALL:
The reviews you will see for the “Reel Fishing” game is pretty divisive. On one hand, you have people who grew up with “Fish Eyes/Reel Fishing” and they want that type of game but in today’s modern graphics. I think the problem is that in Japan, fishing has changed in concept of going from what “Fish Eyes” was, to what you see now with “Animal Crossing” to Natsume’s “Harvest Moon” games.
For Japanese companies, they have become too complacent, that other companies have took the concept and did their own thing and ran with it and made it better. So, instead of competing against games like “Ultimate Fishing”, “The Angler”, “Bassmaster Fishing”/”Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour”, “Real VR Fishing”, “Euro Fishing”, “The Catch” to name a few, throughout the years.
Tachyon chose the route that they can and that is to combine visual novel and fishing. Afterall, in Japan, more and more women are now enjoying fishing. In fact, you are seeing more female celebrities, idols, models, athletes showcasing their fishing photos on Instagram. But you can also see through sites like Tackle Berry, myfishingJP and more.
So, I think this game they wanted to reach that demographic (via Switch) but then using the name “Reel Fishing”, trying to get those familiar with the original games internationally to attract them in purchasing this game.
With that being said, I enjoy fishing games, but I also enjoy visual novels. I also enjoy Atelier Alchemist games with all the crafting. So, this was a buy for me. I purchased this on STEAM for the better visuals over the Switch version.
But with that being said, this is not the “Fish Eyes/Reel Fishing” of years past. With many fishing games now being released on the PC and consoles, it’s no doubt that Tachyon had to change its philosophy towards fishing games.
But one thing they did well on the 3DS 15th Anniversary was the cross collaborations with Japanese fishing companies, famous Japanese fishing spots. If they can find a way to do that, but combine elements of what they did in the past but now for today’s modern era, there is huge potential in that.
But for the visual novel/fishing/crafting games, it’s not for everyone. But for me, I’m enjoying it for what it is.
I’m giving this one a thumbs up but also a strict warning for those who are expecting the original style of “Fish Eyes/Reel Fishing” of the past, this is not that type of game!
