SO much more than just a fishing game!
I'm not going to give away content, because part of the pleasure for me has been discovering the wonderful little secrets this game has to offer. My review may be a bit vague, as a result. (You'll thank me later!)
What makes River King so excellent? Well, for starters, this has to be one of the most good-looking games I've seen for the DS. All the textures, including the forest floor, is detailed and colored with love, right down to the tiny white flowers tucked in the grass. The setting of this fishing adventure, while never stated during the game, is somewhere in a small Japanese valley. If I was pressed to make a conclusion, I would argue that they attempted to recreate the same fantasy of Japanese legends, most famously portrayed by Miyazaki's Spirited Away, or Princess Mononoke.
The characters and dialogue are enriched by the setting as well. Rather than the stock statements typical of some DS games, the responses of each character informs the player of the storyline. In fact, the plot moves mysteriously, sometimes the next event is triggered by the catching of a certain fish, or a conversation with one of the NPCs.
The gameplay itself, the actual catching of fish, is wonderfully addictive. While on paper, it may sound repetitive, there are a huge amount of variables and strategies that enhance the fishing mini-game. Soon, you'll be debating the effectiveness of certain kinds of bait, which rod to choose for different fish, just like a pro!
This game has been a breath of fresh air for me. The depth continues to satisfy me. It's nice to see game developers that create beautiful finished products, like Marvelous has.
Final Thoughts: Highly recommended for those interested in Japanese culture and/or fishing games. This one is carefully crafted, and caters to the curious gamer.