Mastering the great indoors

 

 

For years, outdoorsy video games have been part and parcel of dive bars everywhere. These two new console games will have you itching to set up camp in your living room.

‘Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures’
Console: Wii/360/PS3
Grade: ➊➋➌➍ out of ➎

Now you can kill Bambi’s mother without actually, um, killing Bambi’s mother. “Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures” is a fast-paced hunting sim that will finally answer the age-old question: “Who would win in mortal combat? A dude with a bunch of weapons or a baby animal?”

It’s not all hunting, however. The game offers up a fishing minigame that manages to be more boring than sitting in a canoe with your father as he goes on and on about the importance of Reaganomics.

‘Rapala: We Fish’
Console: Wii
Grade: ➊➋➌ out of ➎

If you’re looking for a realistic fishing sim, keep baiting the hook. “Rapala: We Fish” is a strictly tongue-in-cheek affair, relying on silly challenges and fake fish breeds to set it apart from the pack.

Still, the core game mechanics are sound. The game comes with a rod and reel accessory that attaches to your Wiimote. The unit works surprisingly well and does go far to accurately simulate the act of fishing. However, there isn’t much straight fishing to be had. The game modes feel more like “Mario Kart” than anything else, offering up fast-paced combat instead of pure angling.