The latest cooperative gaming trend appears to be a physics-based fishing simulator that allows players to launch their catches into the air and eliminate them with firearms. How to Fish, a new 1-4 player experience available on Steam, drops players onto a desolate island after a shipwreck where survival depends on increasingly absurd methods.
Players begin by gathering clams for sustenance and cash, eventually enabling the purchase of a fishing rod. The core fishing mechanic is straightforward: cast a line, wait for a bite, and reel in. The game's unique twist emerges after a catch; instead of items, marine life flops and crawls on land, requiring players to subdue them. Initially, this is done with bare hands, but progression unlocks knives, brass knuckles, and even guns for more extreme measures.
The game embraces silliness, allowing players to blast fish with firearms after launching them skyward, reminiscent of titles like Ridiculous Fishing. Players can also barbecue seagulls and engage in gambling with their catches on slot machines and roulette wheels to earn more in-game currency. Despite its chaotic nature, How to Fish incorporates quests from NPCs and features a chain of islands to explore, introducing larger and more dangerous creatures like sharks and king crabs.
While designed with cooperative play in mind, How to Fish can be played solo. However, some players have reported security issues where random individuals can join games unexpectedly. A launch discount is currently available, reducing the price from $8 to $5, which will end on August 27.