Gone Fishing (aka Petri Heil) is the latest offering in the Kosmos two-player series. It's an asymmetrical game of fishing: one player controls two fisherman, while the other player controls the fish. The game has two rounds, and the roles are switched in between.

The lake is a four-by-four grid. Fish player fills it with cards depicting fish with values from one to six, junk and a diver. Cards are small cardboard squares, with holders to keep them upright. The fisherman can't see the faces of the cards.

Fisherman player places his or her two fishermen somewhere on the piers surrounding the lake. It doesn't matter where they start, as they go once around the lake during the game. Each pier affects of row of the lake, either horizontal, vertical or diagonal. When a fisherman stands on a pier, he can fish from that row.

Rounds are divided to four phases. First one of the fisherman must move at least one pier clockwise. There's no limit to movement, but generally moving little is a good idea - that gives one more opportunities to fish.

After the row has been selected by moving the fisherman, the player controlling the fish must reveal one card on that row. It can be any card, junk or fish, but not the diver. Here's room for bluffing and sneaky moves.

Now the fisherman must choose, which square he or she wants to take. To do that, he or she must play a card. Cards (well, small cardboard chits) have numbers from one to four, and there's three of each. Cards can be used once, after which they're discarded. Thus, it's a good idea to think a bit, before one goes and wastes opportunities.

Whatever the player gets from the lake is kept aside for the rest of the round - except the diver. Diver is useless like junk, but returns to the lake to plague the fisherman. After checking his or her catch, fisherman must move an amount of steps indicated by the fishing card. Playing big cards makes the fishing day pass fast.

Last thing before next attempt: fish player gets to move three fish cards in the lake, mixing and shuffling them a bit. This way the fisherman can't memorise everything. There are limits to the moving, so everything isn't randomised after each turn, but it's not straightforward either.

And that's how it goes, turn after turn. Fisherman player can use both of his or her fisherman in any order he or she wishes. The fishing day is over, when both have made a full round around the lake. After that, points are tallied. Roles reverse, and the previous fish player tries to beat the score set by the first fisherman.

There are also some special cards for both players, allowing useful actions (for example move a fisherman forward, peek at a fish), but these I've found of little concern yet. They are tools for more advanced players and better left untouched in the first game to keep things simple.

After the initial descriptions I heard, I thought Gone Fishing! would be a more simple game, but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoy the asymmetrical nature of the game, as it presents interesting and different challenges to both players. Playing the fish is more fun, but fisherman has an exciting role as well. While fish player gets to bluff, fisherman must guess, estimate and even deduct (especially when there are few cards left).

The game art is friendly and well done, but that's what you expect from Franz Vohwinkel. Components are quite functional and serve their purpose well.

This is a bit of a quick review after just one play, but I'd say Gone Fishing! stands up to most games in the Kosmos two-player series. It's probably not in the sharpest peak, but right now it is one of the more interesting games in the series. Will that last, remains to be seen, but I'd certainly recommend the game to anyone interested in the theme. While the game has little to do with actual fishing, I find the theme still works quite well. Gone Fishing! should also be a fairly good family game.

After few more games, I'll have to reconsider: Gone Fishing! is a fairly simple game, in the end. From a gamer point of view, it probably isn't worth much attention. However, if you're looking for something easier for example for kids to play, I can still recommend Gone Fishing! I'll probably keep my copy to play with possible kids in the future, even if it isn't going to see much action with my gamer friends.