The Overlooked 2024 Game That Channels Animal Crossing Vibes with a Sole Focus on Fishing

When your favorite games of the year are filled with psychological horror and intense boss battles, as mine were, you’re bound to need a relaxing escape. That’s exactly what I was seeking after my deep dive into the haunting alleys of Silent Hill 2. And then, out of the blue, a delightful and unsuspecting game started trending on social media: Webfishing.

Webfishing keeps it straightforward. You fish. That’s the core of the game. After spending countless hours decoding the enigmatic endings of Silent Hill 2, casting a virtual line felt like the perfect unwinding activity I craved.

While the main activity is fishing, Webfishing does offer a bit more than just casting lines. There’s a chat feature where you can converse with new acquaintances or catch up with old friends as you wait for a fish to nibble. You can customize your experience with cosmetics and upgrades, and there’s even a gambling aspect. But don’t worry; it’s not the type that demands you empty your wallet—besides the initial £4.29 to access the game.

My friend and I got quite addicted, standing side by side in our virtual world, eagerly waiting to reel in our catches. We had lots of fun, soon spending our earnings on scratchcards, and then on cosmetics and better bait. Better bait entices larger fish, and believe me, the fish in Webfishing can grow to astonishing sizes.

And what do you do when you reel in these massive fish? You’re likely to see other players, who resemble characters from Animal Crossing, joining in to celebrate your achievement in the game chat. This little game has brought about some of the kindest and most wholesome online interactions I’ve encountered all year.

The game’s charm lies in its simplicity and friendly community. Once, I casually entered a random lobby, planning to fish while catching up on some YouTube videos, only to find myself among a group fishing from a makeshift toilet seat. Yes, you heard that right. Another player whipped out a guitar and started playing requests, all of us sitting there, fishing from the toilet.

In another session, my friend and I spent a Saturday evening in the game, with some real life beers, just fishing and sharing updates about our lives. Our quiet gathering soon turned into a bustling community, with pixelated cats and dogs gathering on the pier to chat, indulge in fictional wine, and, of course, fish. We had a few virtual casualties thanks to the wine, but stumbling upon such a diverse and welcoming group of people while fishing was a delightful experience I didn’t foresee when I first launched the game. This friendly and inclusive atmosphere is what draws me back to Webfishing. Well, that and the thrill of reeling in a fish so gigantic that it glitches through the map. But not quite the thrill of spending all your profits on scratchcards and losing them—just part of the adventure.

Webfishing is brilliantly odd and charmingly surreal, especially when you see friends leaping across the map while making adorable meowing sounds—because, yes, that’s something you can do. It’s all part of what’s so captivating about it. Webfishing offers a tranquil corner of the online world where, provided there are no hackers disrupting the peace, you can truly relax. Fish, try your luck at gambling, partake in some parkour, playfully dunk friends into the ocean, or enjoy some virtual wine on the dock. This underrated gem is a sanctuary for gamers in need of a break from the high-intensity thrills of other games.