11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
More shooting gallery than hunting sim, November 3, 2006
This review is from: Cabela's African Safari (CD-ROM)
This may have been the game Ernest Hemingway would have played, except it doesn't really capture the feel of a true safari. "Cabela's African Safari" isn't a true hunting simlutation, but neither is it a first-person shooter. Oddly, the game reminds me of the Nintendo classic "Duck Hunt," but with a little more variety.
The objective of the game is to complete a safari -- basically a career mode -- in the span of time you have available to you. Each hunting area is really a stage in the game, and you must follow a largely predetermined path to accomplish your goal, which might be "shoot four impalas" (it almost always involves killing multiple animals in one hunt). Many other features of the game, such as random hunts or trophy hunts of the BIG FIVE -- leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and cape buffalo -- can't be opened until you've reached certain stages in your safari.
And here's the main drawback: Encounters are not random. Everytime you hunt in an area, the animals will be in the same spot, so there is no replay value once you've ended the safari mode.
There are also bird hunts in which must must shoot as many birds you can -- from turtle doves to ducks -- in the shortest amount of time, hence "Duck Hunt."
Again, this is no hunting sim. Instead of looking through the hunter's eyes, the camera chases behind him, such as in Tomb Raider. The only other camera angles are over the hunter's shoulder for targeting (look at the box cover to get the idea) or a first-person view through a scope. The animal encounters are largely prescripted, and a radar at the top of the screen shows you exactly where the animals are, although it can be turned off for a higher level of difficultly. Predators will attack you on sight, even lone wild dogs, and a large part of the game is sneaking around them to get to your true prey. And, in what is the most frustrating feature, each hunt is timed. You may have five minutes to shoot four antelope, which distracts from the overall feeling of the hunt.
Still, this isn't a first-person shooter either. Animals can be taken down with a single, well-placed shot, and you will be penalized for shooting any animals other than the ones you're hunting. The graphics are good for a bargain title, capturing the look of the savanna. The animal models in particular stand out, although the AI is pretty stupid -- expect to see lions charging head-first into walls.
People looking for a true hunting experience will be disappointed, but I found the game a fun little distraction for a few evenings, and it only cost $20 and came with a one-year free subscription to Field and Stream magazine. Truthfully, I would give it only 2 1/2 stars if I could. If you look at this as a fancy arcade shooter rather than a true simulation, you should like it. Too bad it's nothing more than that: A true safari hunting simulation would be a great game.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's .....O...k..., February 7, 2007
= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Cabela's African Safari (CD-ROM)
I like hunting games, generally outdoor games. This game does well for new landscape however it it fairly repetitious and gets boring from then on. Levels 1 and 2 were to easy with the indicators showing where the animals are and by the time I got to level three I was bored with the hunts. The game (animals) were different but were basically all hunted the same. The most exciting part of the hunt was running from charging elephants. The safarie was also short as well, got done with first level safarie in a couple of hours. On the good side... the game auto saves which is a HUGE +++. Recommendations for the maker... more diversified animal habits, more varied (difficult) landscapes and a longer safarie hunt. Oh and a Trophy Room. All in all it was fun for a short time, animals were new and the landscapes were different than the good O'l USA.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disapointment, February 17, 2008
= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Cabela's African Safari (CD-ROM)
I'm Very Disapointed with this game, the graphic's leave a lot to be disiaired. I'm very surprised Cabela's would put their name on it. It is so Fake.
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