fish is easily my favourite game on steam and i dont really think anything else comes close. ive played loads of different games over the years and most of them are fun for a while, but fish is one of the few that keeps me coming back. every time i load it up i end up saying ill only play for half an hour and then suddenly its been three or four hours. its just one of those games that always gives you something to do without making it feel like a job.
the thing i like most is how simple it is to get into. you dont need to spend ages watching guides before you know whats going on. you can just start playing and figure things out as you go. thats something loads of games forget these days. some games throw a hundred menus and mechanics at you before youve even started. fish just lets you play and learn naturally. it feels relaxed instead of stressful.
the gameplay is also way more fun than people expect. when someone hears about fish they probably think it sounds boring because its about catching fish. i thought the same before i played it. then i actually gave it a chance and realised theres a lot more to it. theres always another fish to catch, better gear to unlock and new places to check out. it keeps giving you little goals without forcing you into them.
one thing that really helps is the atmosphere. not every game has to be loud and full of explosions. sometimes its nice to play something where you can just chill for a bit. the music is nice, the world looks good and nothing feels rushed. after playing competitive games where everyone is shouting or trying as hard as they can, fish is a nice break from all that. you can just relax and enjoy yourself.
its also the sort of game that works whether youve got loads of free time or just a quick hour. if youve only got a bit of time you can still make progress. if youve got the whole evening free theres always something else to work towards. it doesnt punish you for taking breaks either. you can stop playing for a week and come back without feeling like youve missed everything.
another thing i like is how satisfying it feels when you finally catch something youve been after for ages. it sounds like a small thing but it actually makes a big difference. when youve spent ages trying to find one rare fish and it finally appears it feels like youve actually earned it. its much better than games where everything is handed to you after five minutes.
the progression feels fair as well. you start off with basic gear and slowly work your way up. every upgrade feels useful instead of pointless. you can notice the difference when you get something better. it gives you a reason to keep playing because theres always another rod or another area you want to unlock.
the game also doesnt try too hard to be something its not. loads of games these days throw loads of random features in just because every other game has them. fish keeps things simple and it works because of that. it knows what kind of game it wants to be and sticks with it. id rather have one game that does a few things really well than one that tries to do everything and ends up doing none of it properly.
playing with friends makes it even better. even though everyone is fishing, youre still chatting, comparing what youve caught and having a laugh. sometimes nothing exciting even happens and its still fun because youre just hanging out. not every multiplayer game needs everyone fighting each other. sometimes its nice just to play together without worrying about winning or losing.
the community is another reason i like it. every game has a few annoying people but most players ive met have been pretty helpful. if youre new someone will usually answer your questions or point you in the right direction. that makes a massive difference because it makes new players actually want to stick around instead of quitting straight away.
the updates have been good as well. every time something new gets added it gives people a reason to come back. new fish, new places and new equipment stop the game from feeling stale. it never feels completely finished and thats a good thing because theres always something to look forward to.
some people will say there are better games on steam because they have bigger maps, better graphics or more action. thats fair enough because everyone likes different things. but bigger doesnt always mean better. loads of massive games end up feeling empty or full of boring filler. fish doesnt waste your time with loads of pointless stuff. it just gives you a fun game that knows exactly what it wants to be.
another thing people forget is that games are supposed to be enjoyable. theyre not meant to feel like work. some modern games are full of daily challenges, battle passes and things that make you feel like you have to log in every day. fish doesnt give me that feeling. i play because i want to, not because i feel forced to.
the graphics deserve a mention too. they arent trying to look ultra realistic but they fit the game really well. everything is clear and easy to look at. the different areas all have their own feel and its nice exploring somewhere new for the first time. you dont need the best computer in the world to enjoy it either, which is always a bonus.
the sound design is another thing that people dont really talk about. hearing the water, the background music and the little sounds when you catch something all add to the experience. if those things werent there the game wouldnt feel the same. they make it easier to switch off and just enjoy whats happening.
what keeps me coming back though is that every session feels a bit different. you never know exactly what youre going to catch or what might happen. even if youre doing the same thing as yesterday it doesnt feel exactly the same. thats what gives the game so much replay value.
i know not everyone is going to agree that fish is the best game on steam, and thats fine because everyone has their own favourites. some people want fast shooters or massive rpgs with hundreds of hours of story. i like those games as well, but if someone asked me which game ive enjoyed the most and which one i keep coming back to, id still pick fish. its simple, relaxing and actually fun without trying too hard. for me thats enough to make it the best game on steam.
