Cat Goes Fishing

If you are in the mood for a casual game with solid reward and progression—look no further than Cat Goes Fishing. Just as the title entails, you play as a cat who has decided to up the ante on their day of fishing. But beyond that simple premise for visual progression that Cat shares with similar games like Animal Crossing—lies, surprisingly deep, gameplay mechanics. What begins with a simple rod, line, and hook dropped in the park-side pond, eventually becomes a series of baits, tools, rockets and bombs all ready to be used on a boat in deep ocean waters.

There’s Always a Bigger Fish

The best part about Cat Goes Fishing comes from the simplicity of its design. You start out small, with quest objectives of different types of fish needed to collect and sell.

As you collect enough desired fish, you are able to expand your reach, buy new gear, travel from shore and cast your line for larger fish in deeper waters. However, within that system of ‘catch bigger fish’ is very smooth game design, a delightful soundtrack, and equally compelling gameplay.

Get Ready for the Grind

It’s hard to compare a game like Cat Goes Fishing to other games on the market. Because, though you fish in the game, it doesn’t play like any other fishing simulator. The closest might be Legendary Fishing and that’s just because you follow the fish, rather than the fisherman. So, unlike Fishing Sim or otherwise, Cat Goes Fishing has a design and style all its own. And, in reality, it plays like a really well-made Flash Game, something on the level and depth of the Thing Thing Series, but with the modern progression sensibilities of something like Animal Crossing. And like Animal Crossing, Cat Goes Fishing is focused on the grind. With bait levels, bigger fish and setbacks, it can take a long, long time to progress.

How Casual Can It Be?

The trouble with a game like Cat Goes Fishing comes with the territory of most all casual games. In order to keep the games engaging for the long haul, to keep the player coming back for each update, certain mechanics have to evolve as the player progresses—and that can easily make the once ‘Lazy Sunday’ afternoon game, much more difficult.

That being said, the longer you play Cat Goes Fishing, the less casual it becomes. With new tools, bait levels, repellants, bombs, enhancements, special finds (like a dragon or a skeleton fish)—it’s hard to say you keep coming back to ‘unwind’.

Pros

• Tons of depth and gameplay mechanics as you progress
• Wonderful animations, design, and soundtrack
• Rewards longevity and relaxes in the short run

Cons

• The game can feel like a grind-fest as you progress
• Losing bait on bigger fish can backtrack you a long way
• Becomes more complicated than casual