Interface/Options : 80
The interface is pretty straightforward--typical of what one would expect with this genre of gaming. Players choose a fishing location from a list of 13 first class fishing areas (Florida, Hawaii, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, etc.), one of eight styles of boats (each with individual advantages and disadvantages) and off you go! Once out to sea, players can access the options menu in order to change bait, jump around on the regional fishing map and take a peek in the livewell (in a sense).

Once you choose your bait or lure, you're ready to start trolling. A "fish finder" shows you fish activity in the area around the boat--the fish appear as blips on the fish finder as they move about. All of this is pretty typical and not overly complicated.

Gameplay : 75
The goal is to catch saltwater fish--BIG saltwater fish. The species found in this game range from Marlin and Sailfish to Dorado and Wahoo to, yep, Great White Shark. The total number of fish species found in Virtual Deep Sea is 18--each with its own mannerisms, fighting characteristics and appetites. Don't be surprised if that Mako that you hooked not only makes some spectacular leaps--but charges your boat! Players can switch from fisherman view to an underwater camera that shows the fish in all of its awesome 3D-rendered glory.

To reel in line all you do is hold down the left mouse button. In order to pull back on the rod, players actually shake the mouse from side to side (as opposed to just pullling back on the mouse). In order to effectively land a fish (especially those 1,200 lb. Black Marlins), players must use a combination of pulling back/raising the rod tip, reeling in slack as you depress the rod tip, and manuvering the boat in reverse. The boat can be moved around using the arrow keys. This is not easy so be prepared for quite a few broken lines and thrown hooks before you get the hang of it. Needless to say, the learning curve is a bit on the steep side.

Once your fish has been successfully hauled to the boat players may choose to keep it (by using the gaff) or let it go. Fish that are landed and saved may be used to create an underwater screensaver showing your trophy swimming about when your PC takes a nap.

Other game features include multiplayer and tournament modes allowing for timed competitions.

Difficulty : 80
Like the real thing, Virtual Deep Sea Fishing takes some practice to get the hang of. The whole reeling/pulling/boat manuvering thing can be a bear at times--especially when starting out.

Overall : 80
Interplay Sports has developed the deep sea fishing sim that the virtual fisherman has been waiting for. It had my heart pounding as I reeled in a couple monster fish (a 1,000 lb. White Shark and a 1,200 lb. Black Marlin)! Enjoy the finest fishing sim of its kind.