Info about How to Fish:

Official game description:
A 1-4 player physics based fishing simulator. While drinking and boating you suddenly crash into a small island. To work your way back home you have to learn How to Fish.
**Here is a gif:**
**What you do in the game:**
*   Fish fish, kill fish, sell fish
*   Start off with no gear or weapons, earn money to buy better gear and weapons and stuff
*   Complete quests and fight bosses to progress to new islands, where there are more dangerous creatures and better gear
*   Try to collect the rare variant of all the different fish
*   Hit trick shots for more money
*   Gamble for even more money
**Another one:**
**Three why not:**
**Ok four:**

Release date: Aug 20, 2026

Categories: Fishing Simulation, Cooperative Multiplayer, First-Person Shooter, Boss Fights, Gambling Simulation, Physics Simulation, Crafting


- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Most Windows VRAM cohorts report good performance, but the 12-15 GB VRAM group suffers from severe crashes and freezes.
  - Sample size: 155 (13% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 68 reports): Most reviews report acceptable performance with minor optimization issues typical of an indie launch, though one user complains about CPU drain.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 38 reports): The majority of reports describe frequent crashes, freezing, and instability, making the game nearly unplayable for this cohort.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 35 reports): A single review confirms the game runs fine on Intel GPU with this VRAM range.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 8 reports): The only available review reports good performance.
  - Caveats: 155 of 1222 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $6.50
  - Reasoning: The community consistently praises the game at discounted prices of $5 and $6.50, indicating that a fair base price should be in that range. The current base price of $7.99 is seen as acceptable only with significant discounts, suggesting the community considers $5-$6.50 a more appropriate no-brainer value range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Three direct quotes provide clear completion times: 6 hours, 4 hours, and 7 hours to finish the game (story completion). These are interpreted as the time to beat the main content, with 6 hours being a common middle estimate. No evidence supports time for 100% achievements (gameCompletion) or post-story activities (endgame). Session length varies widely across reports (1 hour to 7 hours straight) without a typical value, so sessionLength is left null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game presents early friction due to bugs, slow pacing, and a steep learning curve, but becomes highly enjoyable after mastering mechanics and progressing through upgrades.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Mastering the game mechanics
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: bugs and glitches; steep learning curve; slow initial pacing; unintuitive tutorial; lack of immediate action
  - Unlock drivers: mastering game mechanics; acquiring impactful upgrades; progressing past initial slow islands
  - Conditions: playing with friends can bypass early friction; willingness to tolerate bugs; patience with slow initial pacing; expectation of repetitive gameplay; singleplayer may amplify early frustration; need for progression to feel rewarding; game may not click for players seeking instant gratification; coordination with friends enhances fun regardless of progress
- Player Archetypes:
  - Social Chaos Gamer (buy)
    - Motivation: Social fun and chaotic moments with friends
    - Playstyle: Co-op, reckless, trick shots, gambling with friends
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: friendslop
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Solo Challenger (buy)
    - Motivation: Overcoming tough solo boss fights and progressing
    - Playstyle: Solo, strategic, patient, grind for gear
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Gambler (buy)
    - Motivation: Thrill of gambling and risk-taking
    - Playstyle: Gambling, fishing, shooting, opportunistic
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: gambler
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Great with friends (weight 0.43): Playing the game with friends is highlighted as a key source of enjoyment, with many players noting increased fun in multiplayer. The social aspect significantly enhances the experience.
- Fishing mechanics are fun (weight 0.35): The fishing gameplay is widely praised as engaging and realistic, with players enjoying catching, shooting, and cooking fish. The game effectively teaches fishing and simulates a lifelike experience.
- Excellent value for money (weight 0.26): Many players feel the game offers great content relative to its price, describing it as well worth the cost and a quality purchase. The game is considered a masterpiece by some, providing substantial entertainment.
- Highly praised experience (weight 0.18): Several reviews call the game amazing, incredible, or a masterpiece, reflecting overall strong satisfaction. Players describe it as super fun and a cool experience.
- Satisfying and engaging gameplay (weight 0.15): Core gameplay is described as satisfying, engaging, and fun, with players enjoying the overall mechanics. The game provides a complete and entertaining experience.
- Humorous and entertaining (weight 0.13): The game consistently delivers laughs and goofy moments, with players finding it funny and ridiculous in an enjoyable way. This comedic element is a major positive for many reviewers.
- Fun trickshooting (weight 0.13): Trickshots, especially on fish with a sniper, are highlighted as fun and notable. Players enjoy combining shooting with gambling on the outcome.
- Enjoyable gambling mechanics (weight 0.11): The casino betting and gambling activities are highlighted as fun and exciting, adding a unique element to the gameplay. Players specifically mention enjoying the gambling in the casino.
- Best fishing game (weight 0.1): Some players consider this the best fishing game they have played, praising its uniqueness and interest within the genre. The game stands out as a top-tier fishing experience.
- Fun seagull hunting (weight 0.07): Players find shooting seagulls entertaining, especially when they steal catches. Using a sniper to deal with them adds a funny and enjoyable gameplay element.
- Great solo play (weight 0.07): The game is also fun when played alone, with players enjoying the single-player experience. It is not solely reliant on multiplayer for enjoyment.
- Peak 'friendslop' experience (weight 0.07): The game is considered a top-tier 'friendslop' game, perfect for chaotic fun with friends. Players recommend it specifically for that purpose.
- Exciting boss fights (weight 0.07): Boss battles are described as exciting and provide good variety, with some being more challenging than expected. These encounters add depth to the gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Bosses are unbalanced and hard (weight 0.33): Multiple reviews report that bosses are overall unbalanced, with excessive health and difficulty, especially in single player. Specific examples include the mutated whale, piranha, and pufferfish bosses, which feel nearly impossible to defeat.
- Single player is too difficult (weight 0.19): Several players state that the game is very hard or almost impossible to play solo, particularly due to early bosses like the first and piranha bosses. This makes single-player mode frustrating and sometimes unplayable.
- Game is buggy and crashy (weight 0.13): Players report general bugs and crashes, including stuttering when moving the mouse and issues preventing the game from opening entirely. These technical problems severely impact playability.
- Game is too short (weight 0.12): Many players note the game is very short, about 7 hours in length, with overall little content. The lack of length and content makes the experience feel incomplete or rushed.
- Pufferfish is annoying and hard (weight 0.09): Players find the pufferfish both annoying and difficult to defeat or catch. This combined negative reception makes the fish a disliked element of the game.
- Boss music continues after death (weight 0.08): A recurring audio bug occurs where boss music keeps playing even after the player dies during the boss fight. This is reported consistently across multiple reviews and detracts from the experience.
- Multiplayer causes black screen (weight 0.06): Joining multiplayer sessions results in a black screen, rendering the game unplayable for those trying to play with friends. This affects the cooperative experience significantly.
- Boat bug blocks progression (weight 0.05): A bug that causes the player to lose their boat prevents them from progressing through the game. This bug stops players from beating the game due to the inability to continue.
- Trickshots on fish pointless (weight 0.05): There is no purpose to performing trickshots on fish, especially tiny ones. This gameplay element feels unnecessary and disconnected from actual progression or rewards.
- Y-axis inversion option missing (weight 0.05): Players request an option to reverse the Y-axis for aiming, as the game lacks this customization. This greatly affects gameplay for those used to inverted controls.

Gameplay feedback:
- Varied boss battles (weight 0.39): The game includes multiple boss fights, including a lava whale, spider crab, pufferfish, and giant piranha. These bosses demand strategic gameplay and add challenge, with some comparisons to Terraria boss fights.
- Extensive fishing gameplay variety (weight 0.36): Fishing is the core activity, offering diverse species like tuna, salmon, krill, whale shark, and clownfish, plus special rare fish and boss fish. It includes a fishing rod, bait, and minigames, alongside selling catches.
- Gambling and casino mechanics (weight 0.3): Players can gamble with fish and money at a casino, including betting on colors, roulette, and skin gambling similar to CS:GO. These mechanics add a risk-reward layer outside fishing.
- Multiplayer and co-op modes (weight 0.26): Players can enjoy the game solo or with friends in online co-op, with support for up to 4 players. Co-op is highlighted as the best way to play, fostering shared experiences.
- Trickshot and sniper mechanics (weight 0.2): Players can perform trickshots on tiny fish and seagulls, often using a sniper rifle with no-scope shots. This adds a skill-based shooting element to the game.
- Shooting and killing fish (weight 0.19): A unique mechanic involves catching fish then shooting them in the air or with guns, often followed by cooking and selling. This blends fishing with action and humor.
- Seagull interactions and hazards (weight 0.13): Seagulls can attack and kill the player, and when the player dies, a seagull carries them away. They are also targets for shooting, adding environmental hazards and humor.
- Money grinding loop (weight 0.1): The game involves grinding to collect money, likely through fishing, shooting, and selling catches. This progression loop is a core part of the gameplay experience.
- Combat and fishing fusion (weight 0.1): The game combines fishing with various combat mechanics, including punching, shooting, and PvP. This fusion creates a dynamic and unconventional gameplay style.
- Sharks and piranha enemies (weight 0.07): Players encounter sharks and piranhas as enemies, adding danger to fishing and exploration. These creatures may appear as regular foes or part of boss encounters.
- Island exploration and crashes (weight 0.07): The game features a map with multiple islands to explore, and players can crash into an island. This suggests a world to navigate beyond just fishing spots.
- Friendly fire option (weight 0.07): The game includes a friendly fire option, allowing players to harm each other in co-op. This adds a chaotic element to multiplayer sessions.
- Achievements and unlockables (weight 0.07): Players can pursue achievements and unlockable content in singleplayer, providing goals beyond the main gameplay loop.
- Genre as fishing crime simulator (weight 0.06): The game is described as an American-style, first-person fishing crime simulator, blending fishing with criminal activities and humor.

Performance notes:
- Optimization praised by many (weight 0.15): Several players report that the game runs well, with good optimization and smooth performance even on low-end hardware and Intel GPUs. These positive notes contrast with the negative reviews, indicating a mixed experience.
- Co-op freezes and crashes (weight 0.13): Multiple players experience freezes, crashes, and black screens during co-op sessions, often after a few minutes of play or when starting a game. These issues affect both the host and friends, leading to mid-game interruptions.
- Mouse look causes stuttering (weight 0.1): Players report severe stuttering when looking around with the mouse, and the issue persists despite various fixes like capping frames, enabling VSync, and adjusting graphics settings. Lowering the mouse polling rate to 500Hz reportedly resolves the problem.
- Game crashes frequently (weight 0.1): The game constantly crashes or freezes, sometimes requiring a PC restart, especially when loading in. Players report a range of crash scenarios, from mid-game to startup, indicating stability problems.
- Performance issues after dynamite (weight 0.05): Detonating large amounts of dynamite, especially in water, causes severe performance drops, such as running at 1 fps for 10 minutes or having 'one frame head'. This suggests a need for optimization in physics-heavy scenarios.
- High CPU and fan issues (weight 0.05): The game causes high CPU usage and makes PC fans blow hard, similar to a crypto miner, indicating a need for better resource management. This is separate from the stuttering and crash reports.
- Startup gray screen issues (weight 0.05): Players encounter a gray screen on startup or after a restart, which can be fixed by setting the game exe to Windows 8 compatibility mode. This points to a compatibility issue affecting menu loading.
- General optimization problems (weight 0.03): Some players simply mention optimization problems without specifics, and one reported a soft lock due to PC performance. These vague complaints suggest less severe but notable performance concerns.

Recommendations:
- Best with friends (weight 0.24): Multiple reviews strongly recommend playing with friends or in co-op, citing enhanced fun and chaotic experiences. This is the most frequent theme across all feedback.
- General positive recommendation (weight 0.2): Several clusters indicate a straightforward recommendation of the game without specific conditions. This reflects broad overall satisfaction.
- Great value for price (weight 0.2): Reviewers find the game worth its cost, even at full price, and some emphasize value on discount. Specific mentions include the low entry price.
- Great for casual fun (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for lighthearted, playful sessions, including goofing off, quick games, or a few hours of relaxation. This appeals to players seeking casual entertainment.
- Excellent experience overall (weight 0.11): A few paraphrases are highly laudatory, calling it one of the best experiences of a lifetime or a masterpiece. Such testimonials indicate a strong end-user affinity.
- Fun with friends variation (weight 0.11): Many reviews specifically mention the fun expanded when playing as a group, with varying suggestions for either dedicated serious play or relaxed chaos.
- Some negative feedback (weight 0.08): A minority of testimonials report issues like crashes causing imbalance and do not recommend the game unless major updates come in. Others cannot recommend at all.
- Purchase on discount (weight 0.07): A couple of reviewers advise buying only when the game is on sale, suggesting that the full price may not be worthwhile for some.
- Avoid unless serious (weight 0.07): Some feedback warns against playing casually or alone, indicating that the game's difficulty or design requires serious commitment or is not fun without friends.
- Specific gameplay tips (weight 0.06): A few reviews give specific tips: using the knife for damage, investing in dynamite, and a bait-buying strategy. These suggestions add tactical depth.
- Recommending to everyone (weight 0.06): Some reviewers urge practically everyone to buy the game, showing broad audience appeal beyond just co-op players or a niche group.
- Specific friend cautions (weight 0.06): A few playful warnings (e.g., not enabling friendly fire with three dumb friends) indicate lighthearted group dynamics but also suggest potential chaos.
- Earns recommendation (weight 0.06): Many single cluster reviews simply say the game earns a strong recommendation, from 10/10 to a clear thumbs up.
- Suitable for bored gamers (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for players who are bored and not sure what to play, implying a low-stakes, engaging choice.
- Fun but not simulation (weight 0.03): One review specifically notes that the game is not a serious fishing simulator, implying it is best approached as a playful, adventure-based experience.
- Enjoyable even solo (weight 0.03): A review indicates it is interesting alone but more fun with company, suggesting solo players can still enjoy the game.

Other player notes:
- Short game length (weight 0.27): Multiple reviewers indicate the game is short, with playtimes ranging from 3 to 7 hours and some finishing in one sitting. This suggests the game offers a brief but potentially dense experience.
- Good value for price (weight 0.26): Reviewers frequently mention the game's low price or affordability, often stating it is worth the money or offers enough content for the cost. This positive value assessment appears across several clusters.
- Compared to other games (weight 0.16): The game is compared to various titles, including 'friendslop', Lethal Company clones, Big Walk, and other fishing games. In many comparisons, reviewers find this game superior or distinct.
- Hopes for future updates (weight 0.15): Several reviewers express a desire for continued developer support, including new content, updates, DLC, or more fish. This indicates a positive reception and a wish for the game to expand.
- Compared to Counter-Strike (weight 0.13): The game is often compared to Counter-Strike (CS:GO or CS), particularly for its shooting mechanics and skin gambling elements. Some reviewers note it combines fishing with CS-style gameplay.
- Game is short (weight 0.11): A few reviewers specifically note the game is very short or small, with some comparing it to low-style games or flash games. This aligns with the overall short length theme.
- Worth its price (weight 0.1): Reviewers explicitly state the game is worth the money paid, reinforcing the value aspect. This feedback is tied to the low price point.
- Gifted or bought for friends (weight 0.09): Several reviewers mention purchasing the game for friends or receiving it as a gift, indicating a social sharing aspect and positive word-of-mouth.
- Game has multiplayer (weight 0.08): Reviewers mention co-op or multiplayer modes that allow friends to interact, including killing each other. This suggests a social or competitive element to the game.
- Hosts gambling mechanics (weight 0.07): A couple of reviewers note the presence of gambling mechanics, often compared to CS skin gambling, which might appeal to some players.
- Compared to real fishing (weight 0.07): Reviewers compare the game to real-life fishing and traditional fishing games, noting it combines patience with shooting mechanics.
- Discovered via TikTok (weight 0.05): Some reviewers found the game through TikTok videos, suggesting the game's marketing or viral presence on social media.
- Compares to souls-like bosses (weight 0.05): The pufferfish fight is likened to souls-like bosses, indicating challenging and memorable combat encounters.
- Potential but bugs present (weight 0.05): Some reviewers mention the game has potential but suffers from bugs that hurt the experience. This indicates a need for polish.
- Awaited release eagerly (weight 0.05): A few reviewers waited months for the game's release, suggesting high anticipation and hype leading up to launch.
- Refunded or exceeded window (weight 0.04): Some reviewers either got a refund or played past the refund window, indicating mixed feelings about the game's value or quality.
- Game lacks tutorial (weight 0.03): One reviewer notes the absence of a tutorial, which may hinder new players' understanding of mechanics.
- Cash grab criticism (weight 0.03): One reviewer describes the game as a cash grab, implying monetization concerns, though this is an isolated opinion.
- Game offers achievements (weight 0.03): The game includes achievements that players can collect, adding a completionist element.
- Contains celebrity cameo (weight 0.02): One reviewer mentions Travis Scott appears in the game, which may be a notable or humorous addition.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.18): Players experience frequent bugs such as black screens in multiplayer, infinite loading screens, and items disappearing or glitching through floors, making the game unplayable at times. Bosses are unbalanced with excessive health, one-shot attacks, and unclear mechanics, forcing players to replay fights or get stuck, especially in solo play. Other frustrations include clunky controls, high difficulty spikes, losing progress, and performance issues like stuttering and high CPU usage.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players derive joy from playing with friends, enjoying the simple fun and silly mechanics like fishing, shooting fish, and gambling. The game's goofy style, variety of activities, and relaxing atmosphere provide entertainment and make it a fun pick-up-and-play experience. The single-player mode is also praised for its enjoyable gunplay and the fun of fishing and shooting.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): The game's over-the-top gameplay, combining fishing with guns, gambling, and chaotic enemy behavior, generates intense excitement. Players get a rush from trickshotting fish, winning bets, and engaging in action-packed boss fights. The addictive nature, potential for future updates, and the sheer unpredictability of fish physics keep players thrilled and eager for more.
- Amusement (weight 0.11): Players are amused by the absurd and hilarious events like being carried away by seagulls, odd boss behaviors, and the general nonsense of the gameplay. The quirky details, such as high-pitched voices, weird physics, and unexpected kills, contribute to a fun and entertaining experience. Many find the game's humor in the chaos of multiplayer and the bizarre narrative moments.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players feel satisfied with the game's value for money, engaging progression, and balanced fights when the game works. The completion of fishing and selling loops, along with rewarding trickshots and boss victories, provide a sense of achievement. The game's satisfying gameplay, good progression, and the fact it meets expectations contribute to this positive emotion.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Players are disappointed by frequent crashes and bugs that force refunds or ruin co-op sessions, along with the short story and lack of content. The multiplayer mode feels the same as singleplayer, lacking replayability. Additionally, some cosmetic rewards like legendary skins are not visually distinct, and certain game mechanics (like shared currency) are off-putting.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy comes from memorable moments like saving friends from seagulls, playing with friends, and enjoying the fishing loop, which is considered peak gaming. The game's humor, gambles, and trickshots bring laughter and fun. Players bond over silly jokes and shared experiences, making the game a source of happiness.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Players are annoyed by frequent undeserved deaths, long reload times, and being stuck after death. The game also causes high PC fan noise and has infuriating bugs like boss music continuing after death. These issues disrupt the experience and lead to frustration.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game for its creativity, especially the fact that it was made by two people, and for adding guns to a relaxing fishing game. The game is praised as a masterpiece with simple graphics but excellent mechanics and physics. It is considered one of the best friend-slop games, showcasing wonderful project qualities.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised to find the game is not just a troll game but actually fun and playable on low-end computers. Unexpected encounters like giant crabs and being thrown around, or fish eating the player after being caught, add to the surprise. The difficulty shifting to an aim trainer is also unexpected.
- Amused (weight 0.01): Amusement arises from chaotic events like being killed by a friend, getting molested by seagulls, or having a fish tail drop after a long fight. Players find humor in the absurd sequence of activities and the game's whimsical sense of humor. The silly and unpredictable interactions provide a lot of fun.
- Fun (weight 0.01): The game is fun in both single and multiplayer, especially when playing with friends while fishing and getting drunk. The combination of gambling and learning to fish adds to the fun. Overall, the game is stimulating and provides a very fun experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused by unclear mechanics such as the reel of fortune displaying as lines, bosses with excessive health, and not knowing how to fish even after playing. They also get lost trying to find the third island or defeat certain bosses like the puffer fish, leading to frustration and a lack of direction.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for its fun multiplayer and singleplayer experiences, the fishing mechanic, and the variety of humorous fish and skins. The attention to detail in gun visuals and animations, as well as the overall gameplay, creates a deep fondness for the game.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by the harsh penalty of dropping all items upon death, which feels unfair, and the constant killing by friends, which can be annoying. The final boss fight is also considered bad, adding to the frustration. These elements can ruin the experience for players.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): The game provides an incredible experience that some players consider one of the best in their lifetime. They are amazed by the overall quality and the appeal of fishing, which is well-portrayed. It surpasses expectations and leaves a lasting impression.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are eagerly waiting for additional content, DLC, or updates to the game. They look forward to seeing how the game will expand and hope for more islands and features. This anticipation reflects their positive feelings and desire for more gameplay.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope the game will continue to receive updates with new islands and fish, expanding the content. They desire more in the future and hope the developer does not abandon the game, showing a commitment to the game's longevity and potential.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's unique combination of fishing, weapons, and gambling, which is very entertaining. Fighting sea creatures is seen as a great activity, and the game is considered the best way to fish and engage in boss battles. This positive energy comes from the game's engaging and fun mechanics.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness comes from finally being able to play a game that was on the wishlist for a long time, fulfilling a long-awaited desire. The overall experience with friends, completing achievements, and finishing the game brings joy. Also, getting a gold knife adds to the happiness.}