Gone Fishing is a co-op survival horror game that mixes relaxed fishing mechanics with tense horror elements, available on PC as an Early Access title. In this indie adventure, up to eight players team up to catch fish and offer them to an ancient lake monster to avoid its wrath, creating a unique blend of action and survival challenges.
Gameplay
Players start by gathering bait from the environment, such as frogs, worms, spiders, and bats, each with distinct reactions to your approach. This bait helps in catching larger fish, which are essential for satisfying the monster's hunger. The fishing system requires holding the left mouse button to cast the line, timing a click to hook the fish when it bites, and carefully reeling it in without snapping the line or letting the fish escape.
Once caught, fish can be sacrificed at an altar to appease the monster or traded with a balloon merchant who appears at midday for money to buy upgrades and totems. These items can improve your chances of survival. As the day progresses to night, failure to provide enough offerings leads to the monster emerging, turning the game into a desperate fight for survival where hiding or running offers no real protection.
The core loop revolves around coordination in co-op play, where team members divide tasks like bait hunting, fishing, and preparing offerings. A global leaderboard tracks the biggest catches, adding a competitive edge to the survival aspects.
Game Modes
The primary mode is co-op survival, supporting one to eight players. Here, everyone works together to meet the daily fish quotas and fend off the monster's increasing aggression over multiple nights.
Key Features and Mechanics
Gone Fishing includes an immersive fishing setup with various fish species that exhibit unique behaviors and fight patterns. Bait collection adds a layer of exploration, as players hunt for live creatures around the lake area.
Upgrades from the merchant include totems that might alter gameplay, such as enhancing fishing efficiency or providing defensive bonuses against the monster.
- Leaderboard for global competition on fish sizes
- In-game chat for team coordination
- 39 Steam achievements to unlock
Updates and Current State
Released into Early Access on June 15, 2025, the game remains in development with plans for additions like more fish species, new bait types, expanded areas, and improved monster behaviors. Developers encourage community input through Discord for suggestions and bug reports, aiming for a full release within 6-12 months from launch.
Is It Worth Playing?
With very positive player reception, including 91% positive recent reviews from 159 users and 92% positive from 1,540 English reviews out of 2,131 total, Gone Fishing appeals to those who enjoy co-op horror with a fishing twist. If you like teamwork in survival scenarios and don't mind an Early Access title that evolves based on feedback, it's a solid choice. Solo players can try it too, but the experience shines in groups facing the monster's threats together.
