Fishing titles have seen a bit of a surge in popularity lately, with Steam even hosting a Fishing Games festival to showcase all of the fishing-related titles on that platform. The latest fish-themed games run the gamut from realistic simulations where everything from wind direction to water temperature must be taken into account to those packed with arcade action where you might as well be playing a shooter or bullet heaven. Into this pond comes Cast n Chill, a fishing-based game that offers a serene experience that is akin to what you might feel when casting out your lines in real life. And while there are upgrade paths available, players can take this new world in at their own pace. It’s available on the Steam platform for less than $20, making it a great value as well.
Cast n Chill is made of up pixelated graphics, and this is probably one of the best examples of that to release in a very long time. The rivers, streams and coastal inlets where you cast your lines are gorgeous above and below the surface of the water. But where Cast n Chill really stands out is how relaxing it is to play. Yes, there are exciting moments when you are trying to reel in a huge catch, but generally there are no goals or pressure for players to worry about. In comparison to other recent pixelated fishing titles that we have reviewed, Cast n Chill is not creepy or scary like the world of Dredge, and it’s much more simplistic in terms of gameplay than Dave the Diver. It definitely occupies its own space in the fishing genre.
Even though the gameplay is kind of simple in Cast n Chill, there are some nice customization options to get things started. Players will spend most of their time riding on an upgradable boat with their loyal pet dog at their side. At the beginning of the adventure, players can customize what their fisherman looks like from about a half a dozen options. Your canine companion is also customizable between several types of hounds, Labrador Retrievers, huskies and other breeds that might be seen enjoying a day on the water.
The gameplay found in Cast n Chill is extremely simple. You first select your line and your bait, with different lures being more or less attractive to different kinds of fish. Then you toss your line and get started. And if you have ever wrestled with fishing titles in the past or even fishing mini-games found in MMOs and other genres, don’t worry about it because you probably won’t have any problems here. You simply row or motor your boat out to your preferred fishing spot and cast your line using either a mouse and keyboard or a controller, either of which works fine. Once you do, the view of your little boat will change as the camera sinks down under the water. You can control how much the line is let out or retrieved, and some fish respond better if you slowly reel your bait in to better simulate prey in the water.
Most of the action in this adventure happens after you get a fish on the line. While smaller fish are easy enough to reel in, some of the deeper-dwelling monsters will put up a fight. However, unlike some fishing titles where you have to be very good with timing or quicktime events, there is very little of that here. The only real mechanic that you have to worry about is letting out the line when a fish is really struggling hard, which is indicated by a little firework-like display that emanates from their head. Then you need to hold down the button to reel them in right after that. It’s not very difficult to learn, and you can mess up several times without losing your catch. However, one thing to note is that some fish are actually (almost) impossible to reel without improved equipment. To really start to catch big ones, you need to upgrade.
Thankfully, every time you return to the docks, you are given gold coins for every fish you catch, with larger, more rare fish worth more than common or smaller ones. You can spend those coins at the local bait and tackle shop which has everything you could ever need. The first thing you will probably want to upgrade is either your fishing line to go after bigger fish, or your bait since each one is only attractive to certain species. For long term upgrades, you can buy a new boat which can make your trips speedier and also upgrade things like your storage area so that you can bring more than three fish back to the dock at a time. Finally, if you spend fairly large amounts of coin, you can unlock bigger fishing areas by purchasing a license for them. Eventually, you will even gain access to an ocean area and can look for very rare catches hidden in a sunken ship. But all of the areas you can unlock are full of character and look really gorgeous with some of the best pixel art we have seen in a long time.
Cast n Chill also does a good job at keeping track of your various catches in an encyclopedia-like book that automatically updates when you, for example, discover a new species of fish or set a new record for your biggest catch yet. Clicking on any fish in the book will tell you a little bit about it like what kind of bait it responds to and what sizes you have caught in the past. It will take quite a few hours of gameplay before you can fill in your entire book, but again, there is little pressure to do so, as the emphasis is simply on enjoyment and relaxation.
There are not really any criticisms for Cast n Chill. It does everything well and presents players with what might be the ultimate casual fishing title. However, players who demand a lot of action or goals in their gaming might get a bit bored. While you can upgrade your boat, bait and lures while also unlocking fascinating new areas, the core gameplay mechanics do not really change. You are still just fishing with the two buttons of your mouse or the triggers of your controller. It’s a relaxing experience but probably not something that those seeking big fishing thrills will likely embrace.
Cast n Chill is a fun and relaxing fishing experience that is perfectly designed for those who enjoy casual gaming. It looks amazing and comes with a lot of great gameplay mechanics and little extras (yes, you can pet the dogs!) that make it a real joy to play. Those looking for a stress-free gaming experience will find a lot to enjoy while sitting out on the serene waters in your little boat with your line out and your best friend sitting by your side in this gorgeous, peaceful paradise.