 |
| How to Fish was released on Steam on August 20. |
In the ever-evolving world of indie gaming, a new title has hooked millions of players seemingly overnight. How to Fish, the latest physics-based co-op game from Dazed Games, has taken the Steam community by storm. Over the weekend, the game hit a staggering peak of over 268,000 concurrent players, according to SteamDB. That massive number temporarily propelled it to the #5 spot on Steam’s most-played list, outperforming heavyweights like Palworld, Apex Legends, and Rust.
What makes this launch even more impressive? The game dropped on August 20 without any Early Access phase, yet it already boasts nearly 13,000 user reviews with a 94% positive rating. It seems like everyone is grabbing a rod and diving in.
Fishing with a Shotgun Instead of a Net
So, what exactly is How to Fish? At its core, it’s a chaotic physics-based fishing simulator for up to four players. The premise is delightfully absurd: after a drunken boating accident leaves your group stranded on a deserted island, players must scrape by selling seashells just to afford their first fishing rod.
The act of fishing itself is simple—cast your line, wait, and reel in your catch. However, the game takes a brutal turn once the fish hits land. Instead of going into your inventory, the fish flops around on the ground, and it is up to you to "finish it off." The methods? As unnecessarily brutal as you can imagine.
Players have already dubbed How to Fish as "Doom with gills," and it’s an apt description. Initially, players use their bare hands, but the armory quickly expands to include knives, brass knuckles, shotguns, and even sniper rifles. The real money comes from trick shots: if you can toss a fish into the air and blast it after a 360-degree spin, you earn extra cash. Beyond fishing, players can grill seagulls, fight boss monsters, unlock new islands, or blow all their hard-earned cash at a roulette table.
The Secret Sauce: Chaos and Friendship
Why is How to Fish connecting with so many players? According to the reviews, it’s the hilarious, unpredictable situations that arise when playing with friends. The game thrives on the "just one more round" energy, sharing a formula similar to recent hits like PEAK, R.E.P.O., and Content Warning.
This isn't a coincidence. The studio behind the game, Evil Landfall, received support from Landfall—the team responsible for Content Warning and the co-development of PEAK. They clearly know a thing or two about creating viral co-op mayhem.
This kind of gameplay is also tailor-made for social media. The absurd physics and frantic moments are perfect fuel for viral TikTok and YouTube shorts, which has certainly played a part in the game's sky-high player count.
Reel in the Deal
If you want to see what all the fuss is about, you’re in luck. How to Fish is priced affordably at $7.99**, but a **38% launch discount** drops the price to just **$4.95 until August 27. The game is also fully playable on the Steam Deck.
Interested in joining the chaos? [CLICK HERE] to check out How to Fish on Steam and start your own disastrous island adventure!
 |
| Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from How to Fish. |
 |
| Pictured: A gameplay screenshot from How to Fish. |