In thewholesome and heartwarming world of cozy gaming, there are a number of staples that are commonplace in these types of games. you’re able to’t mention cozy games without inadvertently thinking offarming crops in a field.
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The genre is always producing titles with stunning pixel graphics, and most relevant to what I want to discuss today, a lot of these games include fishing mechanics that allow you to kick back, relax, and wait for a fish to take the bait.
Fishing might not seem like a catalyst for a wealth of varied and fun game mechanics. However, due to cozy game developers' dedication to finding new ways to make fishing mini-games fun, these fishing mechanics remain a huge draw for gamers everywhere.
So, if you are dying for another game with unique and satisfying fishing mechanics, you need to check out these cozy hits.
We are purely looking at cozy games on this list, but if you want to see more action-heavy games that also have fishing mini-games,then check out this list right here!
10Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A Cozy Goliath
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
We kick things off with a cozy game that you could easily argue was the catalyst for all the fishing mini-games that would come thereafter.
Animal Crossing, ever since its first outing on the GameCube, has included mechanics where players can run around town using their net to catch bugs and their rod to catch fish, all in the hope of filling their museum with all species of each type.
Each is satisfying, but I think fishing just edges it for me, and it’s down to the sheer simplicity of the process. You cast out your bobber, get the attention of the silhouette below the surface, and when that sucker takes the bait, you mash buttons like there’s no tomorrow.
It’s a formula that remains unaltered all these years later, and it’s still a blast to fish in AC.
9Sea of Stars
Chrono Trigger 2.0
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars has plenty of high-energy moments, courtesy of some awesome set pieces and boss fights. It’s still hard to argue against this modern indie darling being anything but a cozy adventure.
This is down to the awesome soundtrack, the modern meets retro pixel visuals and the cheesy writing. However, above all, it’s down to the fact that this title has optional areas where you can kick back, ignore the imminent end of the world, and simply fish.
These ponds are filled with exclusive varieties of fish, and completionists will want to cast a line and catch them all in each area. But even if you’re a more casual player, you’d be missing out if you didn’t hang out and enjoy this lovingly created distraction at least once.
It might not rival fellow JRPG fishing mechanics of titles like FFXV or Breath of Fire 3,but when it comes to cozy RPGs,Sea of Stars is a standout option.
8Web Fishing
Social Gaming Is Back!
Webfishing
Serving as the most recent game on this list and the oddball entry to boot, we have Webfishing, a game doing its best to revive the dead subgenre of social games.
In this title, the goal isn’t to catch a tonne of fish, make a bucket load of cash, or build a seafood empire. It’s just a facilitator for social interaction as you join a lobby and fish while you hang out with your friends.
It sounds simple, and it is in the best way possible. There are some secrets, achievements, and things you’re able to purchase with the money you make from selling fish.
But this all plays second fiddle to relaxing, chatting, and unwinding. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re just looking for a place online where you and your pals can co-exist, your little island in Webfishing is as good a place as any.
7Fishing Paradiso
A Fishing RPG
You may have some preconceived notions about what the afterlife looks like, but if Fishing Paradiso is to be believed, it’s apparently a small island where you fish to your heart’s content.
To me, that doesn’t sound too bad, and Fishing Paradiso proves that this version of the afterlife can be pretty relaxing and fun.
This fishing RPG has you catch various species of fish, decorate your personal Cabana with snazzy furniture, and you’ll have plenty of fun characters who you’re able to befriend along the way.
However, the main draw of this fishing epic is that this is a story-driven adventure, and an addictive, heartwarming one at that. So, if you fancy fun fishing with a wholesome narrative, then Fishing Paradiso is the perfect combo package.
Yo-Ho-Ho & A Bottle Of Rum
We jump into the deep waters of early access for our next entry because, at the time of writing, Seablip is still a work in progress. However, even with that status, this game has a lot to offer to players right now.
This is essentially a pirate-themed adventure where you’ll sail the world, command your crew, hunt for treasure, and take on terrifying nautical creatures to claim the bounty on their head. However, even the most swashbuckling of pirates have some time to kick back and attempt to catch some fish.
This game’s fishing mini-games have a slot machine gimmick where you’ll need to line up the images of fish to reel in the bad boy you have on the hook. It’s a fun little distraction and just one of many things that makes Seablip an indie darling in waiting.
5Moonglow Bay
Voxel Fishing Fun
Moonglow Bay
I’m a sucker for a cute little voxel game, and Moonglow Bay is exactly that. But it’s not just visually appealing; it’s a game that has a lot of substance, offering a fishing-based core loop that is devilishly addictive.
After your partner is declared dead at sea, the titular town famous for its fishing culture suddenly becomes fearful of what lies beyond the shore. But thanks to your daughter, you’ll gain the courage to head out to sea, catch a bunch of fish, and then sell them for a tidy profit.
You might expect this one to be a rather one-note experience, but thanks to the huge map, variety of activities, and rewarding exploration, this is a game that keeps on giving. So, if you’ve yet to visit Moonglow Bay, there’s no time like the present.
4Spiritfarer
Relax & Let Go
Spiritfarer
It’s always a stretch to call Spiritfarer a truly cozy game, as there’s nothing cozy aboutcrying your eyes outas everyone you love dies.
But, if you take the constant mourning out of the equation, Spiritfarer is a sublime resource management sim that is cute, colorful, and as relaxing as they come.
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Playing as Stella, your role is to keep your boat’s residents happy as you prepare them for the great beyond, and one thing you’ll need to do is keep them well-fed.
Which often means heading to the bow of your ship, casting a line, and pulling up some tasty seafood for all to enjoy. You know, unless they hate shellfish or something.
Thanks to the gorgeous soundtrack,the Ghibli-esque visuals, and the accessible but satisfying fishing mechanics, it’s easy to lose track of time as you and Daffodil, your lovable cat companion, await the tug of the line to reel in something tasty.
3Stardew Valley
Farming, Fishing, Friendship
Stardew Valley
It’s time for the obligatory Stardew Valley entry, as it’s a nailed-on entry on just about any cozy game list. But that’s usually for a good reason, as it provides everything you could ever want from a cozy game, including a super addictive fishing mini-game.
It’s all about keeping your fish from escaping by keeping them in the green zone to reel them in. But there are a lot of factors at play, like the behavior of the fish in question, whether you have the chance to reel in treasure, too, or whether you have low or high fishing skills.
It’s an accessible and simple mechanic that can get really tricky if you want it to, especially if yougo in search of the game’s legendary fish.
But even if you don’t want that stress, you can easily spend a whole day in-game fishing, only to go to bed and do it all again the next day.
A Cozy Type of Horror
A lot of people probably wouldn’t typically think of horror games and cozy games as one of the same. But clearly, these people have never played the cozy, Lovecraftian horror, Dredge.
This title sees you play as a fisherman who needs to sail the archipelago and catch fish to pay off their debt, buy upgrades for their boat, and, in turn, explore further to uncover the secrets of this pocket-sized open world. By day, it’s a chill, relaxing resource management game with neat fishing mini-games.
However, by night, it’s a bone-chilling experience with lots of terrifying tricks that would even give Cthulhu the willies. It has an awesome risk and reward system, an addictive ‘one more day’ loop, and is probably the game most solely focused on fishing on this list by some distance.
So, if you’re looking for a dedicated fishing game, you may’t go wrong with this one.
1Dave The Diver
Dive Into Adventure
Dave the Diver
Of all the games on this list, I don’t think any game is quite as innovative with their fishing mechanics as Dave The Diver, a game that tosses out your lousy fishing rod and hands you a badass harpoon instead.
Like Dredge, it’s a game with two very different experiences by day and by night. By day, you’ll dive below the surface and snag different species of underwater creatures, then by night; you’ll head back to your sushi restaurant, plate up your haul, and run a dinner service.
This is the core loop, but the game is also full of zany quests, mini-games, and much more. Fishing is the glue that holds it all together, but for a varied fishing experience, Dave The Diver is the clear winner.
