Throughout the history of gaming, people have enjoyed the swift sidetracks to go fishing in a mini-game within a game. There’d be simple cast, hook, and battle mechanics, as well as a randomized outcome, allowing players to savor the little moments as well as the grander narrative of the game. This led to many all-out fishing games being created, seeking to replicate a more fully-fledged, sporting version of a fishing game.
With this more action-packed fishing being something of a dominant force wherever fishing meets entertainment media these days, Cast n Chill arrived with a very clear and enticing selling point. This is a vast fishing game with many elements to toy with, but the experience as a whole is one of relaxation, and of simply enjoying a game that fits into the idle category without being totally freemium. Given the reviews, it looks as though the indie game has landed rather well.
Standing Out in the Fishing Entertainment Space
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For the general public, fishing does carry somewhat of a stigma of just being dull. Casting a line and sitting out by the waterways for hours on end to catch a few fish isn’t seen as the kind of action-packed fun that many want from their entertainment. Perhaps this is why River Monsters and Extreme Fishing with Robson Green were such hits when they aired and remain so through to this day, pumping some adrenaline into the battle between man and fish.
It’s this focus on the thrill of angling that has led to the prominence of fishing’s biggest footprint in entertainment. In video gaming, recent indie hits like Dave the Diver and Dredge lean more towards action than relaxing, with the latter even going for more of a horror aesthetic, akin to other recent horror-at-sea media such as The Lighthouse or Underwater. The numerous sports fishing games out there likewise go for a generally high-octane experience. And it’s not just video games, either. Pretty much every casino online is now teeming with fishing slot games, predominantly because of the feature mechanic popularised by Big Bass Bonanza. Look at the top 10 games of any platform and you’re nearly certain to find a few fishing games, with a likely contender being the Big Bass series, which now spans ~30 games.
This is important to not as the prevailing industry context is crucial to understanding Cast n Chill‘s success. Most of these aforementioned titles lean into the action of getting a bite. There’s therefore clearly a gap in the market for something full-length, but quainter, and Cast n Chill fills this notch tremendously well.
Boat Out, Cast Your Line, and Chill
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It’s important to note that Cast n Chill doesn’t entirely defy this trendy action-packed form of fishing in games. It’s a cosy idle fishing game that’s also active, as indie developer Wombat Brawler describes it. You’ll get to explore many different settings in stunning pixel art and try to catch all sorts of unique fish, including rare and even legendary catches – all of which need enticing with different lures, bait, and techniques.
The trailer above perfectly encapsulates the calming mood that the game is aiming for. This backdrop and the soothing music throughout, however, can’t quite fend off the excitement that washes over when you hook the fish you’re targeting. You get the chance to upgrade and unlock at your own pace, without need for tedious grinding at all, fish for the catches you want to land, and boat out to where you see fit.
At the time of writing, Cast n Chill was available on Steam for under $15 at full price with over 600 reviews to earn a Very Positive score. It’s reeling in players for its mix of relaxing gameplay and expansive options, making it the ideal kick-back-and-relax fishing experience.
