Scale the Depths is an indie game that combines fishing and exploration and is definitely great for players who want to play something that will relax them. The game was developed by Glass Gecko Games, and right from the first glance, it attracts attention with its pixelated visual style and very pleasant atmosphere. The focus of the game is on exploring the sea, fishing, upgrading equipment, and gradually unlocking new areas like Loch Ness, Point Nemo, and Outer Banks, each location having its own atmosphere, types of fish, and different underwater environments.
The diverse well-known locations are one of the biggest advantages of the game. Additionally, the buyers who come from players to buy fish are different at each location, and even buyers closely related to those areas appear in the game, such as the mythical creature Nessie appearing as a buyer at Loch Ness. Each buyer prefers a different type of fish, which is also an interesting factor in the game.
I would also highlight the underwater segments. Exploring the depths is really fun as it hides many secrets, hidden treasures, and different paths worth exploring. The game creates a sense of curiosity that drives you to dive a little deeper to see what lies behind the next obstacle or in a hidden corner of the map.
However, despite all the qualities the game has, the biggest problem for me became the gameplay loop. The gameplay quickly starts to feel too repetitive and monotonous. Although there is an equipment upgrade system, new locations, and content unlocking, it essentially boils down to the same routine: you catch fish, clean or fillet the catch, and sell it to buyers to buy better equipment and go deeper. That sense of progress is very satisfying at first, but over time the game becomes quite easy, which diminishes the challenge and motivation.
Despite this, for players who enjoy relaxing indie games with exploration and light progression, the game can still be a very enjoyable experience.
A copy of the PC version of the game was provided for review purposes by the publishers Pretty Soon and Phoenix Games
