Webfishing (stylized in all caps as WEBFISHING)[2] is a social fishing video game created by indie developer lamedeveloper. Originally released on itch.io in 2022,[3] the game was remade for its Steam release[4] on October 12, 2024.[1] The game is described as a "multiplayer chatroom-focused fishing game" by its developer.[5]
| Webfishing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | lamedeveloper |
| Publisher(s) | lamedeveloper |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Engine | Godot |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | October 12, 2024[1] |
| Genre(s) | Fishing game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer video game |
In Webfishing, players control an animal avatar in a 3D world to catch different types of fish. Catching fish earns the player cash, either by completing quests or selling the fish, which can be used to upgrade fishing gear or buy items used to customize the avatar.[4]
The game has been favorably compared to the Animal Crossing series.[4][6] By the first week of its Steam release, it had received "overwhelmingly positive" reviews.[1]
Development
editWebfishing was originally developed in 8 days in 2022 as part of Goodgis' Autumn Game Jam.[3] In its original form, the game is available for free, but only allows for single-player gameplay.[7]
Gameplay
editIn Webfishing, players join or host small online servers[6] where they can perform various social activities, such as fishing, metal detecting, and playing guitar. The game has been described as a sandbox.[8] Players can earn cash by selling caught fish and completing quests, which is used to buy in-game items. In-game items include player avatar customizations and equipment upgrades.[4]
Fishing is done through a minigame that requires the player to hold down the left mouse button to reel in a catch, occasionally clicking when prompted. Players can also purchase a "fishing buddy" that will automatically catch fish over time. Caught items are not limited just to fish, as a player may catch trash or other marine animals like snails.[4] Caught fish and items can be of different sizes, which may be rendered in-game as appearing proportionally very large compared to the player avatar.[7]
Aside from the standard gameplay loop of fishing to complete collections, there are several secrets in the game world, including rare fish obtained through the use of special bait or during specific events.[9] Elements of the environment allow players to launch their avatar across the game world to access higher up locations or to more quickly reach far-off sites, which has been showcased in TikTok and Twitter videos.[10]
An in-game guitar can be purchased that emulates the playing patterns of the real-life instrument, allowing for players to pluck individual strings, play chords, or save preset chords for ease of use. External programs and user-made mods have been created to play MIDI files through the guitar.[11]
Reception
editWebfishing has received "overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam[6] and has been favorably received by journalists at Rock Paper Shotgun[4] and PC Gamer. After the first week of its release, the game had received over 3,000 reviews, with 98% of them being positive, and had a peak player count of 10,000.[8]
Ana Diaz of Polygon praised the game, calling it the "perfect game for catching up with friends" and saying it reminded her of Club Penguin.[12]
Webfishing has received some minor controversy from critics regarding the LGBTQ representation through in-game shirts and titles. In response to a Steam user asking for straight representation in the game, the developers included a "straight" title (in quotation marks and in lowercase) for $9,999 in-game dollars, therefore making it the most expensive title in the game (with the rest of the titles being $75 in-game dollars).[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c Prescott, Shaun (October 13, 2024). "Five new Steam games you probably missed (October 14, 2024)". PC Gamer. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ lamedeveloper. "Webfishing - Indie Game Press Kit". impress.games. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Sarmiento, Charlene (August 20, 2024). "WEBFISHING Returns After Two Years". Game8. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Caldwell, Brendan (October 14, 2024). "Fishing games don't come much cuter than the Animal Crossing style island of Webfishing". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "Webfishing". Metacritic. October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Brosofsky, Ben (October 19, 2024). "Animal Crossing Fans Shouldn't Miss This "Overwhelmingly Positive" Rated New Game". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Sherman, Gail (October 27, 2024). "Webfishing is the fishing with friends game I didn't know I needed". Boing Boing. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Bolding, Johnathan (October 20, 2024). "Here's an adorable, cozy little multiplayer chatroom fishing game". PC Gamer. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Newell, Adam (October 18, 2024). "All Webfishing secrets". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Bardhan, Ashley (October 28, 2024). "This was supposed to be a chill fishing game with Animal Crossing vibes, but then hardcore players made movement sweaty and turned it into Tony Hawk's Underground". GamesRadar. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Diaz, Ana (October 27, 2024). "Webfishing players use in-game guitar for pop music 'concerts'". Polygon. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Diaz, Ana (October 23, 2024). "Webfishing is the ultimate yapping game". Polygon. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Caldwell, Brendan (November 7, 2024). "Some guy complained this fishing game only caters to queer players, so the dev added a "straight" title - it costs $9999". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved November 8, 2024.