Cabela’s Grandslam Hunting 2004 Trophies is a great all around big game
hunting sim that will have you squinting through the brush hoping to get a
glimpse of a trophy animal. You can hunt 32 species of game in 8 different vast
regions. Game like mule and White tail deer, moose, elk, lynx, wolverines,
caribou, bears, etc. In locations like the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia,
Colorado, the desert southwest, etc. You have 14 different weapons to choose
from which include rifles, shotguns muzzleloaders, bows, and one handgun. You
also have a wide variety of cover scents, scent lures, decoys, calls, tents,
radios, maps, handheld GPS, etc. to help you bring the animal into range.
There are two modes of play in Grand Slam 2, Campaign Hunt and Quick Hunt.
Campaign Hunt – is the full game experience requiring that the player manage
every aspect of the hunt through 32 species in 8 regions. The goal of the
Campaign Hunt is to complete the 8 regions taking the best trophies as possible
for the highest total accumulated score of trophies. Ending a Campaign Hunt
consists of achieving the Diamond Medal (32 different species) in all 8 hunting
regions. If the player is able to complete all hunting region seasons without
accumulating 10 penalty points, he has completed a Campaign Hunt. The total
score of all his trophies and varmint kills is added up and entered in the
Trophy Room. Yes you can actually kill squirrels, raccoons, etc. as well.
Remember taking pot shots at varmint animals can chase away the trophy game.
Quick hunt – In the Quick Hunt mode, the player selects a region and starts
with suitable gear.
He has unlimited time to take any one animal. All other game elements remain
the same.
Play begins after the hunter’s arrival at the Staging Area of the selected
Hunting Region.
The Staging Area is the portion of the map where the Lodge, Warden Station,
your truck, and Target Range are located. You can walk over to the game warden
to find out what is legally ok to shoot as well as hunting hours, when and where
you can shoot, and basic hunting regulations. This is important as in the real
world so you don’t get fined. Break too many rules and you will be going home
early. You can talk to the expert hunter to purchase all the items you wish to
take with you on your hunt including kill tags. Don’t forget your tags otherwise
you will incur penalties and fines.
You can drive your truck to get yourself closer to where you want to hunt or
you can walk/ run there. If you find yourself too far away to get to a lodge
around dark, you can pitch a tent and hunt the next morning. This will also
replace some health that will surely diminish over a tiresome all day hunt or if
you have been attacked by an animal. If you chose to stay at the lodge, you can
do that too, but you will be paying for a room for the night. If you find you
are lost with no tent and low on health you can be rescued providing you have a
radio with you. This cost about 200 bucks so make sure you leave a bit of cash
in your wallet before you leave the store.
Like all hunting games the hunter looks for signs of animal activity like
tracks, feeding signs, scat, wallows, trails, bedding, etc. He uses calls,
lures, and other tools to bring in game or sets up a tree stand or hunting blind
to wait for passing animals. You can be awarded with some money for bagging a
trophy, which will add to your cash flow for further campaigns. I really don’t
like the message this conveys that you get paid to kill animals, but I suppose
you have to earn money somehow so you can spend it at the Cabela’s store.
Though this game lacks a multiplayer option, it is well worth the MSRP of
$20. The graphics and sounds are decent and do not hinder gameplay at all. When
I find myself trying to move my head to peek through trees to get a shot off, I
quickly realize how immersed in the game I have become. This Game brings that
realism to my desktop where other hunting games have failed. My only real
complaint is that with all the reminders of Cabela’s and the stuff you need to
buy, it is more like an interactive commercial for the huge hunting store. What
a great marketing idea!
| Reviewer’s Scoring Details |
Gameplay: 8
The auto equip feature makes hunting easy and quick. Controls are easy and
you can pick the game and where you want to hunt without having to play a
campaign successfully by choosing the quick hunt option. I also liked while the
game was loading some trivia questions pop up to help pass the time, which is
usually pretty darn fast.
Graphics: 7.5
Some things are a bit blocky, but overall not too bad. The moving trees and
brush in the wind really makes you feel like you are on an actual hunt. The cut
scenes are nicely done with actual video of locations and animals.
Sound: 8
Realistic sounds of game and wildlife scurrying around the woods. Some of
the backpack items sounded exactly like the real thing; others could have been a
tad better.
Difficulty: Easy – Hard
You can toggle the settings to increase the difficulty of the overall game,
plus you can even toggle features such as trophy auto claim, animal locator,
auto sight guns, and auto fill quick slots. This makes even the most novice
hunter pretty deadly in the woods.
Concept: 7
Nothing new here. This is your run of the mill hunting game. I do like that
you do not have to unlock regions or game by completing a previous area.
Overall: 8
If you are only going to buy one all around hunting game with multiple
species of game, this is a good choice especially if you don’t mind playing
solo.
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