Fish & Hike (early access)

When I first launched Fish & Hike, I was immediately greeted by pleasant music, a warm atmosphere, and a charming visual style that clearly indicates this is a game that doesn't want to be a classic fishing experience. We play as Doctor Shiberson, a friendly Shiba Inu dog and cartographer who comes on vacation to Eight Lakes Valley, but it soon becomes clear that he is in for much more than just regular fishing.

The cartoonish graphics fit this type of game perfectly. The world is colorful, full of different types of trees, plants, and interesting rock formations that make exploration fun and enjoyable. I particularly liked the lighting and the sounds of nature, such as the chirping of birds and the rustling of the environment, and the game features several different soundtracks that will further relax you. At the very beginning, we meet Bill Beaver, who introduces us to the basic mechanics of the game. Even then, the game emphasizes ecology and recycling, so when we catch trash in the water, we use a recycling machine to recycle it and clean up the environment while earning extra money.

Although it may seem like a classic cozy fishing game at first glance, Fish & Hike has many more systems than I expected. There are health and energy bars, crafting, equipment upgrades, resource gathering, storyline, combat, and various quests. The fishing minigame is easy to learn, but it can still challenge you at times. The goal is to find spots where fish jump out of the water and use the appropriate bait that you can buy or craft. Upgrading your rod and other equipment also plays an important role in catching certain fish.

The map isn't very large, but it is divided into several biomes, so there is always a sense of progress and discovery of new locations. Besides fishing, we can gather berries, mushrooms, and other materials in the forest, but silver and gold coins can also be found. One small detail I liked is the effect while running through the forest. A circle forms around the character that removes branches and vegetation from view, which significantly eases navigation in dense areas. On the map, we can also meet various inhabitants, who are also animals, and some of the first characters you will encounter are Tom Bison, Ronald Wolf, and Emma Bear. The game encourages socializing with characters, allowing you to unlock new recipes and tasks while talking to them. In addition to fishing and exploring, the game also features a simple combat system against enemies in the forests and caves, which is easy enough not to disrupt the relaxed atmosphere.

There are a few things I didn't like. Energy depletes extremely quickly; just a few minutes of running and gathering mushrooms is enough to nearly empty it, after which you have to rest on a lounge chair, which may not sound bad at first, but can become repetitive. The second issue is technical details. The controls can be a bit strange, and a few times my inventory wouldn't open, which is particularly frustrating when you're trying to eat food because your energy is low. Visually, the UI looks neat, but certain functions sometimes feel unfinished and are not responsive.

What I would love to see in this game is a co-op mode because I think it would fit perfectly given the style of the game. There are similar multiplayer fishing games, but this would be a completely different experience compared to other titles in the genre. The game is still in Early Access, so I believe that with some tweaks it could become a very pleasant and successful indie title. If you're looking for a cozy game to relax with after a long day, Fish & Hike is definitely worth your attention. The game is relatively new and was released in early June, and you can find it on Steam for the price of €5.95

A copy of the PC version for review purposes was provided by the publisher Frozen Way